Category: Entitled (Page 2 of 2)

Background provided by Instructor: After taking the last exam, this student has realized she will not be receiving an A for my class.  The final grade is based on several short writing assignments, and three exams (which were weighted higher than the assignments). She earned a 50 on Prelim 1, 72 on Prelim 2, and an 84 on Prelim 3.  She is now writing to set up a meeting to go over her last exam – and to perhaps convince me that because she studied so hard she deserves an A. She is one of nearly 500 students enrolled in my class.

I just took the prelim and I’m really disappointed in some of the questions. Attached is my study guide that I have created over the past five days on top of the review of all the notes and just generally keeping up with the assignments and I would really appreciate it if you took the time to review it, considering it probably took me a solid 36 hours to compose. I would appreciate if I could see which questions I apparently got wrong during a meeting time with you. I went above and beyond to prepare for this class and thoroughly enjoyed the material; this is clear to see if you review all my assignments throughout the class because I received a 100 on every single assignment, therefore I knew the material and was well prepared. I just did not do well on the three exams. I also attempted to receive advice from you on how to better prepare for the  exams, to which you replied, “I have no idea what else to tell you – if you read the chapters and study your notes from lecture you should be able to do well”. Unfortunately, this did not occur. It’s a little sad to think that after this much studying I couldn’t even receive an A on this final exam. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to write papers, create a presentation, or any other work that could be done. Please let me know a time that you can meet.

Background provided by Instructor: Yes, it is the end of the semester and here come the emails from my students asking for another day, two days, or even a week after the semester ends in order to finish their assignments for class that were spelled out the first week of the semester. This blog describes my experience (and that of many of my colleagues) beautifully: “Extension Entreaties Exemplify Expanding Entitlements” by Joan Bihun.  I think those of us in academe can all relate!

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-ethical-professor/201212/extension-entreaties-exemplify-expanding-entitlements-0

Background provided by Instructor: I allowed a student to redo a writing assignment that was done incorrectly. The student did not follow the directions at all, and rather than give her zero points, I gave her the option to redo it. My policy is to accept papers within 1 week at reduced points.

Hey, I attached my paper you let me redo. I know it is after the deadline, but here it is. I expect full credit since I worked really hard on this – and technically had to write 2 papers for this class.

Background provided by Instructor: The following was emailed after final grades had been submitted for the semester.  It was an online course, so the comment about never checking emails is both infuriating and funny.  Where do they get the idea that grades are based on effort as a reward and not upon demonstration of knowledge?  This was a discussion-heavy course and this student would log in on the last day to “participate.”  – What he calls “being timely, intellectually involved” and “answering questions efficiently.”

I know this is a late request but I really feel as if my point total for the course did not reflect my efforts. I think I deserved points in certain areas where they were not rewarded. I understood the material and answered all of the questions efficiently. I know the material well enough to get high scores on the tests and seem to think that alone should reflect my knowledge in the course. Is there any way you could look through my discussion responses with a bit more leniency? I feel as though I am deserving of a much higher score in this course. As I hope I am not being pushy, it is frustrating when you are timely and intellectually involved in a class to the point where you can make an A on the final but still receive a C even with good discussion. Please let me know if you can help. Thank you!
I also missed the chance to do the last assessment because after I took the final I assumed that was it. I never checked the email. Is there any way I can submit it now?

I just checked my grades and I am only getting a C in your class. How can this be?  This is an elective and I took it because I expected to get an A…… I had even heard it was an easy A. How come you are giving me a C?

Background provided by Instructor: I received this email from one of my graduate students. I am this student’s thesis advisor:

Hey Professor *******

I am available to meet to go over my plans for my thesis any evening after 8pm and on Saturday mornings between 9am-11am or most Sunday afternoons. I can meet you in **** [town 12 miles away], as it is not convenient for me to come to your office on campus.