Very Weird Instructor

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Yourmother

Yourmother

I'm Chris Hansen..
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So I took my psy. final today. We have a very small class the the professor offered to grade the tests while in class.

I elected for this and he graded my test saying I got an 90%. I was all smiles and told him that was exactly the grade I needed to retain my A in the course. He replied with a slight frown and said he needed to regrade my examine again for errors.

He actually was intent on finding an error with his own grading to pull my grade down. He said he found an additional incorrect answer and that my grade was now an 89% and I would have a B in the course.

I inquired as to my class participation grade, he said that there was no such grade. After showing him the sylabi, he became irritated and told me to talk with him later.

What a freak!

What should I do? I've always been polite and respectful, but why do professors do this?
 
That's messed up that the professor would do that...don't really even think you have any recourse either...sorry, that sucks!
 
You always have the option to report his behaviour and have someone else (ie department head) evaluate your final, other grades and his grading practices.


But I like Texas's answer better =0)
 
This is why you don't say anything. Some instructors get off on this stuff. Especially if they know your hopes are to get into a professional school. Its your advisor during your doctorate that should be doing this to you, not some professor that's wallowing in self pity and enjoys inflicting pain on others to make up for what he lacks.

That might be a bit dramatic, but we've all felt this way before.
 
Sounds like he gets annoyed with students who are "only in it for the grade" and gets a dark pleasure from thwarting them.

Maybe there's some way that you can show him that you were interested in the material you LEARNED rather than the grade you wanted to achieve. maybe ask him a question about something that you looked up on your own or ask him about his research (if he does any).

sorry I don't have any better suggestions, other than to avoid mentioning things like this in front of professors in the future.
 
Yourmother said:
So I took my psy. final today. We have a very small class the the professor offered to grade the tests while in class.

I elected for this and he graded my test saying I got an 90%. I was all smiles and told him that was exactly the grade I needed to retain my A in the course. He replied with a slight frown and said he needed to regrade my examine again for errors.

He actually was intent on finding an error with his own grading to pull my grade down. He said he found an additional incorrect answer and that my grade was now an 89% and I would have a B in the course.

I inquired as to my class participation grade, he said that there was no such grade. After showing him the sylabi, he became irritated and told me to talk with him later.

What a freak!

What should I do? I've always been polite and respectful, but why do professors do this?
Click to expand...

First off, if you are a service veteran, I would like to thank you for your self-less service to our country.
Secondly, I would approach the dean of the department, along with the professor, and explain to him/her/it [my father is an engin./advanced math prof. so I understand the lack of personality all too well!!!!] exactly how you feel and how inappropriate this scenario is. Teachers and prof's alike are to intrigue, inspire, and graciously help their students, conducting themselves as professionals all the while. This prof has evidently failed to do so.
I'll talk to my pops [it's gonna be painful] and see what he recommends.
Good luck bro
 
That is absolutely bogus. I have heard of professors giving low grades just to be cruel but never in a way this obvious.

It seems he was intent on sabotaging you from the start. I am willing to bet the 90 is lower than you actually got. This guy isn't too smooth. He can't be well liked. I would report him if you do not get your A.
 
While I am sorry. You just need to see if someone else can grade it if you are suspicious. Honestly, while the guy might be an a$$, we are only getting half the story and assuming it is his disposition rather than him maybe being honest. Perhaps the goal was just to give a ballpark figure.

When I graded I would often go over the test again the next day and see if I missed anything or was too harsh on other parts. I never TOLD the students I did this, but I did take more points off sometimes. Some schools have a rule that the professor is NOT allowed to take additional points off unless you offer to submit it for an official regrade. (After they tell you what you got) Check into that too.
 
Sorry that happened to you. I am a graduate student and haven't heard of this in a while. I spoke with my mentor and he said that is really old school. He said you just can't do that anymore. He said the first thing you need to do is contact the department chair. If the issue is ignored or brushed aside as that is the professors perogative then you need to go over his/her head to the dean of the college the department is in. If that doesn't work contact the provost and/or get your parents involved. Generally if you get brushed aside by the chair, if you say that you feel like the issue is not being resolved fairly that you fell you have to go to the Dean the chair will sometimes change their mind. But that is the way it should be approached. Hope this helps. Good luck.
 
If you did the math correctly and you have the syllibus to back up your claims, take it to the higher ups on campus. I was in a similar situation in physics II. I got an 89.6 % for a final grade.... I emalied the instructor saying how I would greatly appreciate the rounding up, and for him to kindly take note on my perfect attendance. I got the A. However a girl sitting next to me had an 89.5 and got a B ! Every point counts 😱
 
That is true unless the prof doesn't like you. I had an 89.4 in a comparative anatomy class and the person across the table had an 89.2. That person got the 'A' and I got a 'B'. I inquired as to why (had an upward trend when we got away from invert and taxonomy, and evolution). She (the professor) just looked at me and said I just don't like you. Sucks but happens. Can't prove it to higher ups but thats how it goes in that case. Maybe the prof doesn't like YourMother either.
 
bigLing2012 said:
That is true unless the prof doesn't like you. I had an 89.4 in a comparative anatomy class and the person across the table had an 89.2. That person got the 'A' and I got a 'B'. I inquired as to why (had an upward trend when we got away from invert and taxonomy, and evolution). She (the professor) just looked at me and said I just don't like you. Sucks but happens. Can't prove it to higher ups but thats how it goes in that case. Maybe the prof doesn't like YourMother either.
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I always think to myself when people get me heated like that and say " I hope you come into the ER under my authority one day" 😀 Not that I wouldnt provide adequate treatment, it would just unfold as it should.
 
Funny thing is I had to go back to the school (after about 4yrs) to interview with the pre-health committee for that stupid LOR and she saw me. She was all friendly and how are you. I was polite and said you don't like me why are you being so nice and talking to me? She said I hope there are no hard feelings over that? Uh, not really but why would I talk to someone who doesn't like me. I agree with your sentiment DiverDoc. It is amazing the way some of the profs act. I just can't wait to take my degrees (all of them) back to some of the profs at my undergrad and high school who said I would never make it. Look at me now.
 
Picklesali said:
Maybe there's some way that you can show him that you were interested in the material you LEARNED rather than the grade you wanted to achieve.
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I'm not good at being artificial. Besides, if I cared about the material and not the grade, why would he raise my grade back to an A?

The weird thing about the whole situation is that he actually handed my test back to me to keep. He was finished grading.
 
ahaydt said:
This is why you don't say anything. Some instructors get off on this stuff. Especially if they know your hopes are to get into a professional school. Its your advisor during your doctorate that should be doing this to you, not some professor that's wallowing in self pity and enjoys inflicting pain on others to make up for what he lacks.

That might be a bit dramatic, but we've all felt this way before.
Click to expand...

True, but since my grade was so close to A/B range I needed to clarify before I left. It is easier to discuss this in person before the grades are submitted a few days later.

The guy is also a slob, he forgets things, and his grade book is a total mess. He lost my first paper I submitted. So when encountering a person like that, it is best to discuss the situation in person.
 
Chuckwalla said:
I am willing to bet the 90 is lower than you actually got. This guy isn't too smooth. He can't be well liked. I would report him if you do not get your A.
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Funny you mention that. Although the test was multiple choice, he marked it correct and incorrect for different students.
 
Picklesali said:
Sounds like he gets annoyed with students who are "only in it for the grade"
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I didn't jump up and do the funky chicken and brag about how I was saved from the jaws of a B, I was polite when I replied.

The guy is just an @ss.
 
Yourmother said:
True, but since my grade was so close to A/B range I needed to clarify before I left. It is easier to discuss this in person before the grades are submitted a few days later.

The guy is also a slob, he forgets things, and his grade book is a total mess. He lost my first paper I submitted. So when encountering a person like that, it is best to discuss the situation in person.
Click to expand...
Agreed.
 
you have rights, look at your student handbook they will have a complete list of ways to report grading policies, or challenge a grade. Also you should report any unprofessional behavior such as this to the department chair or president of that particular school. I wouldn't suggest threatning legal action only mention that you may have to seek other means of settling this dispute.

I saw a professor around 10 years ago tell a student to sue him over a grading dispute, she just didn't like her grade on an english paper, She didn't sue, she withdrew from class.
 
UPDATE:

I sent him an email with some polite BS about the class but also put in that per our conversation we agreed my grade was a 90%=A blah, blah.

I risk pissing him off, but I felt it necessary to get some kind of written reply record so I can move to the next level.
 
It seems like the best option is just to keep your mouth shut. You shouldn't have had to be wary saying what you did to a professor, but sometimes words act against you.

I know someone fairly well in my class and thought he was cool, but everytime he talks he proves more and more that he is a d-bag. Guess he shouldn't talk so much, huh? 😀


P.s. for your case, if you don't ge the A through participation points, file go to the chair and then file an appeal if that doesn't work.

EDIT: just saw your last post...good idea. If you can get it on record of him being cruel and unfair, it will help with your chair and a possible appeal. I've had experience with this, make sure to have evidence and that your math and syllabus supports your opinion that you should have an A.
 
UPDATE: Update to the email I just sent.

He just emailed me back and said that I got an A in the course.

I'm not happy about it b/c I earned it. These professors act like they are giving you such a huge gift.

I earned that grade motherfvcker.
 
NjD00 said:
It seems like the best option is just to keep your mouth shut.
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I used to be that way.

I don't cower, walk softly, or apologize when I have done nothing wrong. If I've been wronged, then that person is going to hear about it.

I let people push me around in my old life, then I woke up.
 
Yourmother said:
UPDATE: Update to the email I just sent.

He just emailed me back and said that I got an A in the course.

I'm not happy about it b/c I earned it. These professors act like they are giving you such a huge gift.

I earned that grade motherfvcker.
Click to expand...


:banana:
 
saylorsdad said:
I saw a professor around 10 years ago tell a student to sue him over a grading dispute, she just didn't like her grade on an english paper, She didn't sue, she withdrew from class.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't do that, its pretty stupid.

What is that rank USMC Lance Corporal? Depite my Army background, I respect USMC.....infantry is infantry and we both used the same service rifle (i'm brainwashed)

Anyhow, thanks for the replies. Finals week is always weird.
 
Yes the rank is lance corporal

Served as 0311 "basic infantry" and am still brainwashed. I fight it at times, and put my hands in my pockets "big no no in the usmc", wear the occassional cover indoor "hat to civilians", and have failed to stand and yell attention on deck when my boss walks in.

Indeed army infantry and usmc infantry have chewed the same dirt many times my dad is retired army 1st calv airmobile from vietnam. Pretty interesting he took an AK-47 round to the head and is still here.
 
Wow that's got to be an interesting story. If he remembers it, that is.
 
I had a similar professor for Gen Chem 2. I had an A- in the class according to my calculations, but when I went in the day after the final to find out my grade for the class, I was shocked to find out it was much lower. 😕 And he had already submitted the grade to the Registrar. When I went to the Chemistry HOD to complain, he said that while I definitely should have gotten an A- based on all my tests/labs/hw, etc., there was nothing he could do once the grade was submitted.

Moral of that rather long-winded story? Make sure you talk to the Head of the Phys Dept. before your final grade is submitted, and maybe he can have a little talk with your "weird" prof.
 
Yourmother said:
UPDATE: Update to the email I just sent.

He just emailed me back and said that I got an A in the course.

I'm not happy about it b/c I earned it. These professors act like they are giving you such a huge gift.

I earned that grade motherfvcker.
Click to expand...


Ooops, ok so maybe I should have read the whoooole thread instead of just the first few posts. Sorry, short attention span here. 🙄 Anyway, congrats, on the A, Yourmother! :clap:
 
He doesn't remember much, before he was trying to help someone else get into ditch then he woke up two times in the next six months. One time about a month after, next time he was somewhere in texas. Indeed awsome story
 
I have this lovely memory of a semester when I was taking bio2, which I had an A- in...until the prof rounded the entire class down and I was given a B+

yeah...
 
He probably thought it was heaven, since he was alive and not being shot at. If he knew it was texas he probably would have puked I sure would've🙂!

In fact the story gets pretty bad at that point his mom and dad were country to say the least. They went to visit and they didn't get to visit with a doctor or nurse. They just lead them to him where he was still sleeping, and he looked near dead. They stayed a few hours and left, still nobody visited with them about his condition. They phoned Grandfathers boss who had some bigtime connections, and he was upset. He must have called the pentagon because within 30 minutes a Full Bird Colonel arrived at their motel where they were packing to leave, and escorted them back to the hospital where they were given probably near presidental treatment, room, food, and all the updates by every doc that even walked near him.
 
Yourmother said:
UPDATE: Update to the email I just sent.

He just emailed me back and said that I got an A in the course.

I'm not happy about it b/c I earned it. These professors act like they are giving you such a huge gift.

I earned that grade motherfvcker.
Click to expand...

maybe he comes to SDN and recognizes who you are

that would be funny :laugh:
 
Yourmother said:
What should I do? I've always been polite and respectful, but why do professors do this?
Click to expand...

If you attend an accredited university, they must have a written grievance procedure. Typically, it may involve writing the department head within 10 days if it cannot be worked out with the instructor. If the department head does not solve the problem, then you have 10 days to see the next person....etc. The final step is filing a written complaint with the accrediting agency. I suggest you look up your procedure and follow it soon-- because there are always deadlines.
 
DiverDoc said:
If you did the math correctly and you have the syllibus to back up your claims, take it to the higher ups on campus. I was in a similar situation in physics II. I got an 89.6 % for a final grade.... I emalied the instructor saying how I would greatly appreciate the rounding up, and for him to kindly take note on my perfect attendance. I got the A. However a girl sitting next to me had an 89.5 and got a B ! Every point counts 😱
Click to expand...

The syllabus is a type of legal contract between the students and professor(s) that you both agreed upon to do before embarking in the class. So you're safe if you follow the syllabus rules. I learned this from my business law professor.
 
Saregamapadanis said:
maybe he comes to SDN and recognizes who you are

that would be funny :laugh:
Click to expand...

If that's the case, TT is screwed by Kalthoff. I think he still needs to graduate with a Human Biology, and K is in charge of the department. Save your prayers!
 
t-funk said:
That's exactly what I've thought this whole time.
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I'm sarcastic by nature. Few are able to slip slights or jokes past me.

This guy is not joking, he is a nut. My paper has the 90% grade crossed-out with 89% written in bold letters. BTW- there are a few other students that I've talked with today who are complaining about the same thing. The class is pretty intense for a psych. class, and I've yet to see or hear anyone crack a smile, let alone kid with the guy.

The guy is a dork and has nothing better to do.
 
Bonsante said:
If that's the case, TT is screwed by Kalthoff. I think he still needs to graduate with a Human Biology, and K is in charge of the department. Save your prayers!
Click to expand...
I don't need to graduate with ****. I am on track to get, and am very close to getting, a human biology degree, but I've had a degree since '03, so I'm good to go as far as GA-PCOM is concerned.

Thus, I'm good to go as far as I'm concerned. Not that it matters. Kalthoff doesn't know how to read anyway.
 
There is always going to be professors that are overbearing and there is always going to be professors that go the extra mile. Going the extra mile does not equal giving out grades, but it does include the professor being fair. I had a professor sort of like this one that wouldn't discuss a grade with me. I, realizing after a few weeks that I wasn't going to get through, just gave up. Probably not the best thing to do, but the class wasn't a major class and I still got a decent term GPA. He was not malicious like the mentioned professor (OP's) but nonetheless it was a bit rediculous.
 
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