Professor not following syllabus: how to approach

[Kochanie]

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common sense says double check with professor before making a decision like this. And that's what OP did..

That's great that you don't rely on it and just use it to drop your last exam. But stuff happens for other people that may make dropping a different exam necessary.


yeah, but he's not just trying to get it excused because he was sick. Only because the syllabus/prof said one would be dropped and is now going back on it.

True, but if OP didn't show up at all, it would have been better. If he really was that sick.

 

[mcloaf]

If you threaten a lawsuit, the university is most likely not going to start shaking in their boots and give you whatever you want. Universities have considerably larger resources, more power, and significantly more stamina for legal procedings than one student and his lawyer. If OP takes it to that realm, he better be ready for a long and potentially expensive fight.

Wise words here. Don't threaten to go to court unless you can actually afford to do so and have someone who actually practices law (read: not strangers on SDN) who thinks you have a case.

 

[edgerock24]

OP, I think you've handled the situation the best you could. Relatedly, I cannot believe that a TA has this much power in a class.

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

I wouldn't ever expect a lawsuit. Attorneys resolve disputes between two parties all the time, and even though OP may want to explore his legal options, it's not likely that an attorney will need to be brought into this situation, because an acceptable resolution will be found internally

It looks like you've walked back a little from what you wrote pre-edit.

It seemed like you were advocating for potential legal action and I didn't get the impression that you thought it would be a "last resort." One example:

Bring the syllabus. Bring the emails. If you have a doctor's note, bring that too. Bring your attorney, if you want. Bring an article prepared for the school paper to be released if amends aren't made. Bring it on.
Edit: dont bring the TAs email. 🙂

IMO, if you took this kind of stance with the University administration, you better be prepared for things to get...interesting.

 

[hubriz]

It looks like you've walked back a little from what you wrote pre-edit.

It seemed like you were advocating for potential legal action and I didn't get the impression that you thought it would be a "last resort." One example:



IMO, if you took this kind of stance with the University administration, you better be prepared for things to get...interesting.

The impression was there for your getting:

I would not suggest consulting an attorney until all other avenues of resolution have been exhausted. The fact that this may venture into the legal realm is reason enough for the administration resolve this amicably; it's certainly in their best interest to make a good faith effort. I would be surprised if the Department Head didn't find this to be at least a potentially problematic scenario and therefore seek input from higher-level administrators who will certainly consider the legal and ethical ramifications of this. If I were a Department Head, this scenario would spurn me to conduct a programmatic review, because I wouldn't want my department thinking this is acceptable - It's bad business!

Again, an attorney is only appropriate when the two sides can't amicably resolve this dispute, in my opinion.

Moreover, that bait and switch tactic brings into question professional ethics and misconduct, which is venturing into the legal realm. This professor needs to honor his policy to the extent that it does not adversely affect students who took advantage of it; in other words, if he wants to change his policy for future exams, fine, but if anyone suffers as a result of his policy, it needs to be him.

Ask him to honor his policy for your exam. If he does not oblige, politely thank him for his time and walk straight over to the Dept Chair. Keep on walking uphill until you find someone that appreciates the issue at hand enough to rule in your favor.

You'll work this out to your satisfaction.

I wouldn't ever expect a lawsuit. Attorneys resolve disputes between two parties all the time, and even though OP may want to explore his legal options, it's not likely that an attorney will need to be brought into this situation, because an acceptable resolution will be found internally

Is this about you and I now? So yes, I did say "bring an attorney, if you want". And?

And how about this: next time you bring into question someone's qualifications, lead with your own. Also, if you have a specific issue with my overall position, that may serve the interest of the OP, feel free to challenge it. Otherwise, don't.

 

[TheWeeIceMan]

Is this about you and I now? So yes, I did say "bring an attorney, if you want". And?

And how about this: next time you bring into question someone's qualifications, lead with your own. Also, if you have a specific issue with my overall position, that may serve the interest of the OP, feel free to challenge it. Otherwise, don't.

Relax. I challenged what I believed was an over escalation of a response to OP's situation. We obviously disagree. Not that big of a deal.

 

[Microglia]

I've TA'd courses and this still sounds like a violation on the professors part. A TA never has that kind of power over the grading policy. Why would a TA try to screw a class like that? It just doesn't make sense to me. Sounds like the prof is trying to deflect to the TA to avoid having to deal with confrontation himself. If talking to TA and prof doesn't work, go to the department head (respectfully, setting up an appointment, maintaining an upbeat attitude, and just asking if there is anything that can be done) with the emails. Srs. They are in the best position to help.

We only have the professors word that the TA changed the grading policy. At most schools, this is a laughable notion. Don't screw over the TA unless you know they actually did change it and they're not cooperative.

 

[Gentle_Touch]

The syllabus is your contract, the professor/assistant cannot change. Syllabi typically can change only to benefit students, not hurt them. If you got no help, get the department chair then the dean involved.