Yes, you read that right. A professor sent the ENTIRE third year class an email asking for their help in deciding how this new mother should be graded. Here were the options:
a) automatic A final grade
b) automatic B final grade
c) automatic C final grade
d) graded the same as everyone else: best 6 quiz scores out of a possible 7 quiz scores (each quiz only given only once in class with no repeats)
e) just take a % of quiz scores (for example: your classmate takes 4 quizzes, averages 9/10 points = 90% = A)
f) give that student a single final exam at the end of the quarter (however this option is only available to this one student, all others are graded on the best 6 quiz scores and the % that results)
b) automatic B final grade
c) automatic C final grade
d) graded the same as everyone else: best 6 quiz scores out of a possible 7 quiz scores (each quiz only given only once in class with no repeats)
e) just take a % of quiz scores (for example: your classmate takes 4 quizzes, averages 9/10 points = 90% = A)
f) give that student a single final exam at the end of the quarter (however this option is only available to this one student, all others are graded on the best 6 quiz scores and the % that results)
The biggest problem I have with this, which someone kindly planted into my head, was that there was clearly NO pre-plan for this new student mother. Her academic advisors, and the institution itself have completely failed her. I mean having a baby isn't something that happens overnight! Both parties had 8-9 months to plan a new restructured academic plan for her so that they wouldn't be running around like chickens with their head's cut off (which is what this email insinuates).
Now the reason for both parties not reaching a mutual agreement is the second problem. Was this student scared to contact the administration at her school? Or maybe, just maybe she plans on continuing on, regardless of the situation? It is hard to know the exact situation, but it is very clear that such an email is gender discrimination. It is an attack on this student's welfare and dignity.
What is most scary is that it is happening in my own back yard. Thumbs down Davis Vet School...thumbs down... :-(
sad....i'm speechless at the fact that 1)nothing was established for cases like this beforehand. i mean really theyve never had a pregnant student?!? and 2)is the professor (a professional) really going to ask for assistance by STUDENTS?! wow....
ReplyDeleteseriously! I can't even believe he would ask for "help." where did he get his degree for goodness sakes?
ReplyDeleteI think the professor was making a point of punishing the woman for not making arrangements in advance (as you said, she had 8 months to prepare). Whether it was her or the administration or both, the professor was left in a tough position and so decided to make a public statement to embarrass her and to embarrass the administration.
ReplyDelete"Punishing" her for exercising her right to give birth? For being a woman? For being a floozy? I can go on and on....
ReplyDeleteOf course not - the embarrassing public email had nothing to do with the fact that she was a woman or pregnant, it was with the fact that she or the administration did not make arrangements with him beforehand so that he could have adjusted the curriculum schedule to allow for her condition. I am not saying he is right, sounds like a d-bag, but just saying that I think that's why he did that.
ReplyDelete