Need some opinions on a problem

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Specializes in Triage, Trauma, Ambulatory Care.

I need some opinions from people who have distance from this situation. It is always easier to think straight when you are not involved.

My chemistry professor is causing some serious issues among my classmates. At the start of the quarter, he said he grades differently for different people. We all genuinely thought he was joking. Then he again mentioned that if he felt like you made stupid mistakes that showed you had not practiced that he would grade you harder and mark down more than people who had put in the time to study.

I thought well no problem because I have great study habits. So far I have kept an A in the class. The problem is that my lab partner gets marked down to a 68, and I am getting 95 to 100 for assignments that we work on together. We have the same answers on the paper because it is a joint assignment that we are allowed to finish together. This problem also carries over to our exams. Some people get much lower scores and they had the same answers.

Because I was getting really great scores some of my classmates asked to see my work from the exams, so they could see what they had done differently. When we were comparing, we noticed that the professor had taken off only 1 point per mistake on mine and 5 points per mistake on theirs for the same exact mistakes. I went to my professors office and told him that I thought perhaps he had graded my paper incorrectly. He just smiled and said you did a great job. I pointed out the difference in grades and he said I am not going to pass people who don't study enough. We don't do any homework that is turned in so he had no way of really knowing how much time people are putting into this course. The points are based on exam and lab only.

The other students are asking me to take our papers to the head of the dept. and try to get something done about this discrepancy. I don't want to be selfish and not help them out, but at the same time I don't want to make the professor mad at me. I know that some of the people getting the lower grades really don't study, but some of them do and just have a tougher time with the subject matter. I am really torn on what is the right thing to do here. There isn't much time left as we only have one big test left to complete.

Sorry this is so long. I am really stressing out over this.

Any thoughts or guidance would be much appreciated.

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Honestly....and this may not be the popular opinion.....but.

If it were me I would be looking at my future. Do you really want to rock the boat here and possibly put a mark on yourself as a trouble maker entering nursing school?

I can see both sides because if it were reversed and you were the one getting bad grades you would want it fixed. Then again, this can't possibly help you in any way. You are putting forth the effort, and making good grades in a difficult class. Going to the dean would do nothing but leave a mark on your student record that could follow you through your career at that school. Sure, you going might benefit the others but are you responsible for their grades? If the grades are changed as a whole will theirs go up or will yours go down?

That is a really tough call. Seeing as he said openly in the beginning that he would be grading differently, people were aware of the fact that if they didn't show an honest effort their grade would reflect that.

I dunno.....I guess what I'm saying is don't try to be the hero and hold yourself responsible for the grades that other people are getting. Your primary concern should be your own grades and getting yourself through nursing school.

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Specializes in Triage, Trauma, Ambulatory Care.

Honestly....and this may not be the popular opinion.....but. If it were me I would be looking at my future. Do you really want to rock the boat here and possibly put a mark on yourself as a trouble maker entering nursing school?

See, that was my first reaction too. Then I got to thinking that perhaps I as being a bit selfish and only looking out for myself.

I appreciate your thoughts.

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Specializes in CVICU, CPCU, Cath Lab/IR.

I think this would be hard on anyone, because I know how it is to feel like you know there is something you can do, but should you do it? I think what he is doing is very unfair. Maybe you could just copy your paper and let them take it to the head of the department. Just make it so they can't see your name. If the professor is treating students unfairly it is not right!

I guess the good part is, atleast you are the one with the A!

Good luck, let us know what you decide to do!

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That is a good idea also. Or instead of actually giving them your paper, tell them your grade and that your answers were the same but ask them to not mention your name. The instructors grade book will reflect the grades and the Dean can then pull you into it on his/her own and what happens from there is not your fault so the instructor can't get mad at you.

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Specializes in ER/Ortho.

If I were you I would stay out of it. I mean you really are NOT involved because you do NOT have a complaint. The only people who should go file a complaint are those who are not happy with their grade.

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I'm sure you are studing very hard and deserve your Grade........But doesn't it make you think "what if he is just giving me the grade and I'm really not earning it?" It's not fair to you either.

I think the situation needs to be brought to light while leaving you out of it as much as possible. I agree you shouldn't hurt your self while trying to help others. I would copy the paper with leaving my name off of it......anonymously drop of a copy of your paper and one of the others showing the vast difference in grading maybe? Leaving your names off of the copies.

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Specializes in Triage, Trauma, Ambulatory Care.
I'm sure you are studing very hard and deserve your Grade........But doesn't it make you think "what if he is just giving me the grade and I'm really not earning it?" It's not fair to you either.

It would make me feel that way if there were a lot I had missed on my exams. As it stands if I took off the higher point amount on the ones I have missed I would still have an A- in the class which is pretty good for chemistry.

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You have no obligation to stir up this hornets nest. This is the responsibility of the students who are unhappy with their grade. Yes, they have the right to take the problem up the chain, however, asking you to initiate this grievence is inappropriate. Tell them that you will assist (if need be) in telling the truth, but other than that you should stay clear of any involvement, for the sake of your grade and your future. Good Luck. Angela.

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Specializes in OR Pre-op, Post-op.

Tough situation...here's my 2 cents; since you are planning on nursing as a carrer, you might as well start helping people now. I would let the other students know you would be there for support, but I wouldn't take the lead in going to the dean. Last semester we had some people go to the dean in Micro because of the teacher, no names were ever mentioned but things did change..and for the better! If this helps the other students, one thing for sure is, you will get get a nice feeling inside from helping others...good luck on your decision!

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Specializes in Trauma, Pain Managaement.

This is not a question of being a trouble maker- this is a question of academic fairness and discrimination-

My suggestion is to go to the department head and ask for your complain to be registered anonymously.

if there is no way for him to tell how much any one student studies, then he is basing his judgment on something else!

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That's the thing....it's not her complaint. It's someone else's and they are wanting her to get involved in it because she is the one with the A. I wouldn't do it, but that's just me.

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