OKAY A WWSB do moment please.

ricksang

Okay last year a few of you know I lost my internship position at USM (the school I am getting my MS). Thank goodness I am back in an internship at a different school.

 I lost my position over one class. I was devastated. RD internships are hard to get into and my grandfather died the same day I was kicked out. I got a D in the class. I had a 3.6 GPA at the time. My GPA is now a  3.7. There is a point to mentioning my GPA, lol. The point- I don't make Ds I am a good student

Anyways,  the grade, I believe, was due to the teacher's incompetence and not mine. She didn't teach from a book but from a copy of her PP slides, some of which were illegible. She wasn't in class 3 times that semester. I constantly begged for help and the two times she did help me she told me I wasn't TRYING to understand the material. She flaked out on me before a meeting and I had drove two hours to meet with her.

There were no tutors available. I understood most of the material presented in class but when it came time for the test, her material was completely different from what she taught in class. I difn't understand WTF she was asking on her tests. I stressed to her the importance of me passing the class due to my internship position and she did not seem to give a shiiit. She also wore flip flops in class, petty I know, but completely unprofessional IMO. I retook the class in the summer afterwards and made an A+.

I let it go for a year but I am still pissed about it. I let it go because I didn't want to look like a whistle blower at that school but now that I am going into a different internship all bets are off. As a RD student they expect high standards from us, shouldn't I expect the same from my teachers since, you know, I am paying money for them to give me a good education?

So should I write a letter to the president of the school and complain?

J&K10910

Were there not course evaluations? 

I think, if you were going to do something (I personally wouldn't, mostly because i'm lazy), I'd start with the head of the department.

J&K10910

I also think that you're going to have a hard time accomplishing anything i fyou move forward with this.  IIRC, the class was a stats class, yes?  You will probably hear a lot of "Oh, a lot of people don't do well in stats, it doesn't mean the professor sucked."  They'll probably think you're making excuses, and it won't matter that it no longer affects anything and dyou've got nothing really to gain by complaining.  I feel like there's a good chance they just won't care, unless they've gotten other, similar complaints.

ricksang

Yes and I gave her a good evaluation because I was afraid the teachers could see who evaluated them-dumb move.

I tried complaining to the head of the department but then I just kind of let it go. I received an "accidental" email not meant from me from the internship director our our department saying that I (Ricksang) was planning on fighting for her grade and that in no way were they taking part in it and tht students usually deserve the grades they receive. I didn't think anything at the time but now I believe the email was meant to accidentally sent to me and not the other chair of the nutrition dep.

ricksang

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_okay-a-wwsb-do-moment-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:64e2f594-1a6f-4581-816a-6b9b97d3d233Post:1e4dcd7d-5f34-46b7-8030-bdeed8c1993d">Re: OKAY A WWSB do moment please.</a>:
[QUOTE]I also think that you're going to have a hard time accomplishing anything i fyou move forward with this.  IIRC, the class was a stats class, yes?  You will probably hear a lot of "Oh, a lot of people don't do well in stats, it doesn't mean the professor sucked."  They'll probably think you're making excuses, and it won't matter that it no longer affects anything and dyou've got nothing really to gain by complaining.  I feel like there's a good chance they just won't care, unless they've gotten other, similar complaints.
Posted by J&K10910[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I kind of feel this way but I made an A in the class the summer right after. It just pisses me off.

J&K10910

I know, it sucks.  I mean, if you want to fight it, do it...but I think you just have to be prepared for getting that reaction, unfortunately. 

Did other students do as poorly in her class?  Sometimes prof's teaching styles just don't mesh with student's learning styles, and I think they'll figure that's the case if most other people did alright in the class, especially if it turns into a her word against yours situation. 

I can absolutely understand why you'd want to bring this to them, but I just don't think it's going to be worth the hassle, unfortunately.

ricksang

Oh, I don't know how others did. I'd love to know. A Shitload of people DID complain about her. I guess I'll just let it go. I don't want to, but you are most likely right. I am going to deal with other issues related to the school after I complete my MS (which is soon) and I won't be getting my PhD there.

maratea

Honestly I think you should say something. I "supervise" online instructors and if it werent for student comments and emails, many issues with instructors might go unnoticed by my office because we don't have the time to monitor every single instructor that closely. We always have our students voice concerns to the dean of their school, especially if they want to appeal their grade. Your instructor's behavior is unacceptable.

cheeseandrice

Don't let it go. I think you need to say something. I just wouldn't go into with the mindset of expecting anything to change, because it's obviously too late to get your internship back or anything. But, I think they'd actually take you more seriously now, anyway- you don't really have a reason to lie about it, you know? There's nothing for you to gain at this point.

But, what if someone else did have issues, and they're ignoring it because no one else has complained? I dunno. There's nothing bad that could come out of the situation at this point, so why not say something?

jenajjthr

Summer classes are always easier to pass than semester classes.  Mainly due to the time constraints in a summer class, less time to cover material, etc. 

As for complaining, it will only be worth the effort if you can prove that she gave you a lower grade than you had earned or that there is a pattern of inappropriate behavior on her part.  Without evidence the department heads will most likely take her side.  I had many professors who didn't teach from one set book.  They used multiple resources and put it all together in a ppt presentation.  I had to know what they presented, where they got the info, read all outside required reading, do lots of research to pass their class.  College classes, at least in my experience, do not hand the material to you on a silver platter to memorize and then regurgitate on a test. 

This may have been your issue with this particular class, it was not presented in a way that you were used too.  It's hard to make a good grade in class when you are used to learning in one way and then one teacher changes up the game plan in another.  Be happey that you know you are not a bad student, you do know the material, that your GPA recovered, and you are now in another internship program. 

Oh and by the way, just because you are in another program doesn't mean that you are safe if you start something you can't back up. The people who head these programs may not want to keep you if you come off as a person who causes trouble or makes unsubstantiated accusations.  Be very careful it what you say and how you say it. You can write a letter of complaint, but be very careful about it. State your facts and leave any wording out that sounds like it is attacking people.

allisong23

If you want to do something, write a letter to the provost of the VP of Academics or whatever they call it at your school. People that write directly to the president at colleges are seen more as whiners. The pres will just bounce it back to the provost anyway, and teh provost will be pissed you didn't go through him/her.  In my experience at colleges, the provost will be the one to hold them more accountable.

I would memtion the e-mail that you got that you weren't supposed to. Very unprofessional, and I would def throw them under the bus for that.

ricksang

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_okay-a-wwsb-do-moment-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:64e2f594-1a6f-4581-816a-6b9b97d3d233Post:496731b3-7df7-4acc-945e-d8dde72416e6">Re: OKAY A WWSB do moment please.</a>:
[QUOTE]Summer classes are always easier to pass than semester classes.  Mainly due to the time constraints in a summer class, less time to cover material, etc.  As for complaining, it will only be worth the effort if you can prove that she gave you a lower grade than you had earned or that there is a pattern of inappropriate behavior on her part.  Without evidence the department heads will most likely take her side.  I had many professors who didn't teach from one set book.  They<strong> used multiple resources and put it all together in a ppt presentation. </strong> I had to know what they presented, where they got the info, read all outside required reading, do lots of research to pass their class.  College classes, at least in my experience, do not hand the material to you on a silver platter to memorize and then regurgitate on a test.  This may have been your issue with this particular class, it was not presented in a way that you were used too.  It's hard to make a good grade in class when you are used to learning in one way and then one teacher changes up the game plan in another.  Be happey that you know you are not a bad student, you do know the material, that your GPA recovered, and you are now in another internship program.  Oh and by the way, just because you are in another program doesn't mean that you are safe if you start something you can't back up. The people who head these programs may not want to keep you if you come off as a person who causes trouble or makes unsubstantiated accusations.  Be very careful it what you say and how you say it. You can write a letter of complaint, but be very careful about it. State your facts and leave any wording out that sounds like it is attacking people.
Posted by jenajjthr[/QUOTE]
It would be one thing to use sources that were reliable but  using copied, illegible slides are hardly reliable resources.

The head of my new internship already knows I might have plans to complain.

ricksang

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_okay-a-wwsb-do-moment-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:64e2f594-1a6f-4581-816a-6b9b97d3d233Post:000f0a1d-2a17-4d0e-9126-d1e6aab7149c">Re: OKAY A WWSB do moment please.</a>:
[QUOTE]If you want to do something, write a letter to the provost of the VP of Academics or whatever they call it at your school. People that write directly to the president at colleges are seen more as whiners. The pres will just bounce it back to the provost anyway, and teh provost will be pissed you didn't go through him/her.  In my experience at colleges, the provost will be the one to hold them more accountable<strong>. I would memtion the e-mail that you got that you weren't supposed to. Very unprofessional, and I would def throw them under the bus for that</strong>.
Posted by allisong23[/QUOTE]
I am afraid to do that. I still have to go back to finish two master classes, one of which I have to work directly with the person who sent me the accidental email. She didn't even apologize to me for sending it to me. I want to throw them under the bus though. It's just fuckedup.

angelsong21

ricksang, I feel for you.  I'm an RD student and I know how friggin' hard those internships are to get.  The only person in our department that I know of that got one had a 4.0 GPA, did years of volunteer work for the nutrition department of the local hospital, did research at the university, and held a leadership position for SDA.  After observing this, I can conclusively say that I'm fuucked as far as getting an internship goes, so I can't imagine what it's like to be removed from one, especially when it appears you tried very hard to be successful at the class you failed and the professor didn't care enough to even bother to help you.

I'd love to throw them under the bus for that e-mail too but if you have to finish up classes there, I just wouldn't do it.  And I think PP is right -- unless you have some sufficient proof of how you were treated, it might be really difficult to get anything to happen.  Personally, being someone who likes to keep the peace, I'd probably keep my mouth shut.  BUT, on the other side, I'd also be PISSED and make sure that at the very least, this situation didn't happen to anyone else.  I think if you can approach it tactfully then you should go for it.  Maybe you could say that your complaints are certainly not to retaliate against anyone and that you know what's done is done and can't be changed, but you want this situation looked into and addressed so that no other students are put in this situation in the future.?? 

ricksang

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_okay-a-wwsb-do-moment-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:64e2f594-1a6f-4581-816a-6b9b97d3d233Post:9af4c028-07c3-4bde-ad2c-e60df48c5563">Re: OKAY A WWSB do moment please.</a>:
[QUOTE]ricksang, I feel for you.  I'm an RD student and I know how friggin' hard those internships are to get.  The only person in our department that I know of that got one had a 4.0 GPA, did years of volunteer work for the nutrition department of the local hospital, did research at the university, and held a leadership position for SDA.  After observing this, I can conclusively say that I'm fuucked as far as getting an internship goes, so I can't imagine what it's like to be removed from one, especially when it appears you tried very hard to be successful at the class you failed and the professor didn't care enough to even bother to help you. I'd love to throw them under the bus for that e-mail too but if you have to finish up classes there, I just wouldn't do it.  And I think PP is right -- unless you have some sufficient proof of how you were treated, it might be really difficult to get anything to happen.  Personally, being someone who likes to keep the peace, I'd probably keep my mouth shut.  BUT, on the other side, I'd also be PISSED and make sure that at the very least, this situation didn't happen to anyone else.  I think if you can approach it tactfully then you should go for it.  Maybe you could say that your complaints are certainly not to retaliate against anyone and that you know what's done is done and can't be changed, but you want this situation looked into and addressed so that no other students are put in this situation in the future.?? 
Posted by angelsong21[/QUOTE]

Aww Angel, I don't think you will be fuucked. You'll get something. The last part is good advice. I may go with something like that.

aragx6

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_okay-a-wwsb-do-moment-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:64e2f594-1a6f-4581-816a-6b9b97d3d233Post:496731b3-7df7-4acc-945e-d8dde72416e6">Re: OKAY A WWSB do moment please.</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>Summer classes are always easier to pass than semester classes.  Mainly due to the time constraints in a summer class, less time to cover material, etc.</strong>  As for complaining, it will only be worth the effort if you can prove that she gave you a lower grade than you had earned or that there is a pattern of inappropriate behavior on her part.  Without evidence the department heads will most likely take her side.  I had many professors who didn't teach from one set book.  They used multiple resources and put it all together in a ppt presentation.  I had to know what they presented, where they got the info, read all outside required reading, do lots of research to pass their class.  College classes, at least in my experience, do not hand the material to you on a silver platter to memorize and then regurgitate on a test.  This may have been your issue with this particular class, it was not presented in a way that you were used too.  It's hard to make a good grade in class when you are used to learning in one way and then one teacher changes up the game plan in another.  Be happey that you know you are not a bad student, you do know the material, that your GPA recovered, and you are now in another internship program.  Oh and by the way, just because you are in another program doesn't mean that you are safe if you start something you can't back up. The people who head these programs may not want to keep you if you come off as a person who causes trouble or makes unsubstantiated accusations.  Be very careful it what you say and how you say it. You can write a letter of complaint, but be very careful about it. State your facts and leave any wording out that sounds like it is attacking people.
Posted by jenajjthr[/QUOTE]

I completely disagree with this. I've often found summer classes to be harder -- specifically because they do squish a lot of information into a shorter semester. And your implication that ricksang really did deserve her D because the class in the summer must have been so much easier is pretty lame.