WWYD: My daughter's college professor is constantly cancelling class

[RangerPooh]

I'm an academic advisor at a university, and DH is a college professor. When he misses classes he does his best to provide ample notice to students, and if it is known prior to the start of the semester will build those days as times to work on their projects/papers, study for exams, etc. Often those are times when he'll be away for a conference. If it's something that comes up with limited lead time then he'll see if someone else can cover. If it's very last minute he just emails the class a heads up. Do you know if the instructor left assignments for them to work on during his absence? Or discussions to participate in, in their online learning space?

In my position I hear from students that class xyz was canceled. If it's a repeat offense I encourage them to contact the department chair. If I receive enough (valid) complaints about a particular course I might send the department chair a heads up. They value this information and want to know it as soon as it occurs so that action can be taken if necessary. Personally the advisers that I have worked with find it frustrating when parents call to complain. We prefer that the student contacts us directly as we cannot speak to the parent due to FERPA. Plus, we're hearing it second hand.

As for a refunds on the course, it won't happen. I've never seen it occur. I think the only way that would happen is if the student initiated the complaints with the department chair (documented it of course), then the Dean if there was no resolution. Followed by the Ombudsman if there was dissatisfaction with the class, resolution, and grade. Again, it's highly unlikely.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Like I said, I wouldn't be happy, but I also wouldn't call the school to complain. The school knows this is going on. I also don't look at it as someone we have hired. He is her teacher and you don't know if she has learned everything she was suppose to learn this semester or not. That is for your DD to find out, not you.

Aren't you the mom who tracks her DD from the budget board thread? If so I am not surprised you also keep track of her classes.

What??

 

[powellrj]

What??

I am so sorry, I went back and checked and I have the wrong mom. Again, I am sorry I got you confused with another mom.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I am so sorry, I went back and checked and I have the wrong mom. Again, I am sorry I got you confused with another mom.

I'm just the other crazy mom

 

[rigs32]

What??

Yeah. There's a mom on the budget board who has a tracking app on her dauggter's phone so she can make sure the daughter goes to class.

 

[littleblackegg]

The professor/college student is an adult relationship with no place for parents. If she feels she is being cheated, let her handle it. Her relationships with her professors and other instructors will help her develop maturity and an adult communication skill set. If you interfere, you deprive her of these opportunities. If she is concerned, and I have rarely seen an undergrad disappointed when class is cancelled, perhaps she should communicate her concerns with the head of the department. Otherwise, just let it go.

 

[dhardawa]

I was taking an online masters level class and the professor showed up for the first week and then went AWOL. No emails, no new assignment, no lectures posted, nothing. A few days before the end of the term, someone else from the university logged on in his absence and said to just turn our term papers and we'd all get credit for the class. I never did find out what happened to him.

 

[LisaR]

DD has a roommate who has a class that only meets once a week. The professor has canceled the class four times with about six weeks to go. I think that is ridiculous!

Like others have said, there is no way I'd call the school to complain. That is way over the top. Your DD should call if she is concerned. DD's college has evaluations in each of her classes and she might note it on that form.

 

[HM]

it's likely during your daughter's college career she'll have other situations that bother her. She will have to learn to speak up about them if she wants to be heard or just let them go. You should never do it for her. You can suggest ways for her to handle things, but she has to be the one to deal with it. (And really, this should have started in middle school)

Sorry she is in this situation. My son has a professor that isn't real reliable too this semester. Luckily he is making sure the students are on track on their syllabi.

 

[HeatherC]

I can see both sides to this argument. Yes...the OP's daughter should definitely be the one handling this. On the other hand, college is outrageously priced and most parents are footing the majority of the bill. I think it is a very valid point for someone spending that much money a year on something to want some sort of assurance that their money is being spent to "educate" the student. Cancelling classes repeatedly is not teaching and just granting kids credit for it without doing the work that should accompany that learning is a failing on the part of the college.

I understand sometimes things happen...but repeatedly over a semester where classes only meet once or twice a week is really unacceptable.

My daughter is a freshman this year and has had the same thing happen in one of her classes this semester. The teacher has cancellled over six times. She actually mentioned yesterday that the class was a total waste of time and money since they have learned nothing and said this professor does this every semester according to others who have had him. That is a big shortcoming for the school in my opinion. Unfortunately, it seems to happen more often than not. There needs to be more accountability on college campuses for this type of behavior.

 

[already]

We pay out of state tuition, and my daughter's professor is constantly sending out last minute emails about cancelling class. One reason was he was called out of town, but the rest are vague. I'd say that this semester alone, 7 classes have been cancelled. The class meets two times per week. That is over 3 weeks worth of class cancelled so far, and the semester doesn't end until May!

I called the Dean's office and talked to a young girl who works there. I told her that I was unhappy with the situation and she was going to take my name and number down and have someone get back to me. I wasn't comfortable with that, because I don't want my daughter to get punished for my complaint. She said she would deliver my generic complaint to someone at a manager level.

WWYD? Would you risk giving out your info? Would you expect a refund? Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated.
We pay $20,000 a year for her to get an education. The professor isn't making up any of these cancelled days. I'm angry!

YOU called the school?

No, I would not expect a refund. This is college, not middle school. Sometimes classes are canceled.

And for goodness sakes, park the helicopter and let your daughter handle it. Is she complaining? Is she doing poorly in the class? Have her make an appointment with a TA if she needs more help.

 

[already]

So, just to ask.....Do you find it acceptable that a professor is essentially stealing our money by not performing what we've hired him to do? How will anyone at the school know this is happening if someone doesn't speak up? The kids sure aren't going to say anything!

FWIW-My daughter has no idea I called the Dean's office and left a complaint. I won't tell her either.

Nobody is stealing your money.
You do not hire professors.
As others have said, most learning in college is self-directed.

Your daughter is 2,000 miles away. Have you heard of caller ID? Your area code of your incoming call will make it very easy to pinpoint the student whose mom called.

 

[book_junkie]

But what assurance will you get that your adult student is learning even if there are classes? No one is forcing them to class, to study, to learn. If you are worried about getting your money's worth, put them in a local community college where you can see them.

To the OP, your daughter is going to have to speak up. You calling to complain doesn't help her grow into the adult she needs to be, and doesn't teach her the life lessons that should be going along with the book learning. She should have a guidance councilor, they can advise her on the proper procedure on how to complain.

 

[mjkacmom]

You are not paying for college - you are giving your daughter money to pay for college. This has nothing at all to do with this - this is none of your business. This is the same thing as complaining to her boss that she is working too many hours.

I have a college sophomore, an incoming college freshman, three more teens, and a husband who teaches a college class three times a year for extra income.

 

[sonnyjane]

I graduated more than a decade ago, but I still vividly remember the JOY I experienced when I'd walk up to a classroom door and see that class was cancelled for the day lol! And yes, I was paying for it myself.

 

[morgan98]

Did you daughter specifically state she was feeling cheated? Or is that more your feeling? You can feel however you want to about it. It was really not your place to call.

If she was looking for help to deal with the issue, there is her advisor and the department chair. Maybe she could even discuss the situation with fellow class mates and go from there.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I'm interested in knowing what you wanted from the phone call. An apology? Were you intending to give a stern lecture to the professor? Instruct him to leave a sub?

How did you envision this phone call was going to go?

Oh and I would tell your daughter you called the school. We teach our children when they make mistakes to own up to them and I think this is a big one to own up to as well to your daughter.

 

[declansdad]

Wow, time to cut the strings and let your daughter deal with her problems.

 

[Poohforyou]

My 1st thought when reading your post is why you're getting involved in this. Your daughter should be the one to address the professor or go above him if she feels that's the right to do. Parents calling school about issues like this should have ended by high school. IMO your paying the tuition isn't relevant. Have your daughter handle this. Offer advice but let her deal with the school.

 

[already]

Did you daughter specifically state she was feeling cheated? Or is that more your feeling? You can feel however you want to about it. It was really not your place to call.

I don't think her daughter is complaining as the OP says this is her complaint, not her daughters.

I guess I expect a substitute professor or TA to fill in instead of cancelling the classes. My daughter is way too timid to speak up. She loves class and has a passion for learning. This is my own complaint and not hers. I think it's a valid one though. How would the University even know if a professor is cancelling classes at the last minute? Don't they just come and go on their own? Unless someone was speaking up, I'm not sure how this would even get noticed.
Okay...jumping off my helicopter now. This is a vent, and I was hoping others had gone through something similar. Apparently not, but I do appreciate the feedback. I'll just let it go.