Professor accusing me of abuse through email !!!

[carlasbizz]

Hello Nursing Community,

I didn't know where to place this comment, but I'm mad as dkk'adoiuthabhh;ae! I have been accused by my upper division writing Professor that I have been abusive to her in my emails. Here is the story, I was suppose to take my midterm on the 21st of May. I usually plan my week according to my school, work, court and family life. I am a single mom of eight (not all eight live @ home anymore only five). I am in my last quarter @ a University and will be applying to Nursing school this Winter. Well, I am taking my last writing class of my entire life. I have been doing great in the class. Anyways, on the 21st when the Professor was suppose to have the midterm available online for a 24 hour period, I woke up @ 5:00 in the morning to take the exam. The exam was not posted. I went to the disscusion board to post something to the other students to find out what happen to the midterm, many of the students didn't see the posting either. I look from 5-8 o'clock am and nothing was posted, don't you think if the professor gave us a 24 hour period to complete this, she would have posted this midterm @ 12am in the morning:specs:. Well, let me continue, I went on the compter again at nine and she posted an announcement saying that she posted it again and reset the exam, and she would have to talk to the computer techs at the school. I was so upset:angryfire, since I knew the next day I had to be up @ 7:30am for lab and I had a chemistry midterm. I was in no condition to take her midterm on Friday the 22nd. Anyways, I called to talk to the Dept. Chair about this situation, instead I talked with the secretary about it, she said that my professor was in her office. I talk to my professor and she said that she would give me an extended time on my midterm, 6:00pm, so after my midterm in chem I went to the learning center on campus and logged in at the front desk to take the exam. The exam was only two hours, so I set my ipod touch and made sure I had enough to send it over. The professor wanted us to send the midterm through her email, that was different, because most of our assignment are sent over to her in a word document, but this time we had to send it over using her edu address. I thought this was weird since I never use this feature sending any documents over. Well, I finished at the right amount of time and send it over. I sent her and email telling her that I sent it over and to please let me know when she received it. She wrote me back Saturday morning tell me she didn't receive anything, so I tried to resend, this time she got the attachment. She told me I sent it to her @ 11:00pm 3 times. I didn't send the email over @ 11:00pm. I sent it over @ 8:00am . I guess since it was my first time doing this I didn't send the attachement in the right way at the first attempt. I was on a time restriction so I was so nervous. She said that my midterm was 9 hours late. I was angry!! I wrote her back and told her that I will resolve this with the Dept Chair. Many times throughout the quarter she displayed inconsitency,one time I wanted to see her @ her office hours, she posted on her announcements that she would have office hours for students needing help. I went to the office hours, she wasn't even in her office. Well in her email she stated that she feels abused by me. i am so upset I can't believe this is happening. I have been doing well all quarter. The professor is making it seems that I am lying. I am to old now to be playing games. I just don't know what to do. I have been getting 90's and 80's in this class. I have to do something I only have 3 wks left in the quarter.

[AOx1]

What I meant by the post stating that it is not convenient to stay up until midnight to post the exam is that it sounds as if there may have been a technical glitch in the original post, when it was mentioned that the professor would have to contact the computer techs. So, if the professor did not stay up until around 2 am (since this was a 2 hour assignment), then they may not have been aware that a problem existed until 9am when they next logged in. I am aware, as an instructor, of the delay feature. However, we did have one instance in which all students but 1 could access an exam. It was very difficult to pinpoint the problem, but IT figured it out for us finally.

I seriously doubt that your instructor is "out to get you"-perhaps there was an IT glitch, or at worst, the instructor is disorganized. No one can really say, as we are being presented with only one side of the story.

Speaking of double standards, I am curious as to why it is acceptable to assume that most instructors are "out to get" students, are evil, spend time planning ways to make students lives' miserable when the majority of us work many, many hours trying to ensure students have a great learning experience. Yet if I were to treat my students in the same manner, assuming the worst about them at all times and that they are "out to get me" there would be outcry against this? Again, the street works two ways. It's not acceptable for students to treat instructors poorly, just as it is unacceptable for an instructor to treat a student in such a manner. I hear very few posts on here talking about the good instructors, mainly just negative.

The best way to handle things is calmly, professionally, and without assumptions that others are trying to make things more difficult for you.

I would look at your school policies for appeals and follow it thoroughly if you decide to appeal this grade. As several people have suggested, IT may be able to help in proving whether you sent the attachment with your email, or you can check your sent messages.

[ImMrBill3, RN]

Speaking of double standards, I am curious as to why it is acceptable to assume that most instructors are "out to get" students, are evil, spend time planning ways to make students lives' miserable when the majority of us work many, many hours trying to ensure students have a great learning experience. Yet if I were to treat my students in the same manner, assuming the worst about them at all times and that they are "out to get me" there would be outcry against this? Again, the street works two ways. It's not acceptable for students to treat instructors poorly, just as it is unacceptable for an instructor to treat a student in such a manner. I hear very few posts on here talking about the good instructors, mainly just negative.

Just to make myself absolutely clear. I never said most instructors are "out to get" students or any of the other statements made above. I did point out the double standard of mistakes on the part of instructors being something that students are expected to accept AND accommodate without question or complaint, whereas students are held accountable for and frequently disbelieved regarding mistakes or technical problems.

I will go further to say that ALMOST ALL of my instructors have been exceptionally kind, knowledgeable and supportive. I rely frequently on their guidance and experience. :bowingpurMany have been remarkable as nurses and instructors. I am in awe of more than a few and have respect for all.

As for why you hear very few posts talking about good instructors, well people tend to come here to b***h and there is more negativity than positivity. Unfortunate in some ways but also a mechanism for release.

In response to your comment I may start a thread about some of the wonderful instructors I have had. My first clinical instructor who built me up, my patho/pharm instructor who presents the needed knowledge so clearly and entertainingly, the medsurg clinical and classroom instructor who gave such clear explanations and memorable analogies and stories and the dept head who will write me personally addressed letters of recommendation on the spot. These and many others deserve some recognition. But don't get me wrong when someone else starts a thread about an issue they have had in school I will jump right in, don't let me get started on how many times I heard, "This is the first time we are doing it this way..."

I will close with a word of thanks and gratitude for ALL those who have contributed to my education and my committment to make them all proud as a "good" nurse, may my patients benefit from your efforts...

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

This whole thread irks me because it reminds me of the double standard. The professor can make a mistake that effects all the students and this simply to be accepted and accommodated. Something scheduled in advance is not done properly and is rescheduled on the spot with no consultation or consideration beforehand, individuals must personally ask for adjustments as a favor. On the other hand any difficulty a student has they are held accountable. OOOO this makes me mad, particularly in nursing school where we are supposed to be learning accountability as nurses from nurses. Fortunately in most instances I have found things handled with some humility and courtesy get worked out OK where I go to school.

BTW this may serve as a good lesson in Chain of Command. Attempt resolution at the initial level before moving up the chain. I think some more work with the professor would have been the right idea before going to the dept head. Teachers like nurses have a lot of autonomy and it is threatened when management is involved.

Good luck on working this out. As others said stay professional, calm, cool and goal focused. It's your goal to get this resolved not to correct your unjust treatment right?

Sort of like how the Dr's off can be running 45 mins behind and you have to suck it up and wait, or other business's when you have an appointment. BUT if you show up 5 minutes late they cancel your appointment :stone