Today I received the following email:
Dr. R- Sorry that I wasn't in class today. I had really bad cramps. ~Undergrad
My reply?*
Undergrad: I have killer cramps today, too, but I sucked it up, downed some midol, and lectured for 3 hours. ~Dr. Reaction
*imaginary; not sent.
12 comments:
I have seriously never understood the purpose of mandatory classroom attendance in college or post-graduate school.
If a student can master the material without attending class, then more power to her. And if students are allowed to "vote with their feet", maybe shitty faculty will realize that their classes are worthless and figure out how to improve them. This ego shit where faculty are "insulted" if students don't show up to class is a fucking joke. Sack the fuck up asshole and learn to teach better and maybe students will attend your classes.
My most rewarding teaching has been in a context where attendance is not mandatory, yet a shit ton of students show up anyway.
Oh, and just in case it isn't obvious, I wasn't telling *you* to "sack the fuck up asshole". That was a general comment to faculty who whine about poor attendance.
Another benefit of non-mandatory attendance is that you don't have to delete dumbfuck e-mails from pissant students with pitiful excuses for non-attendance.
When I was in school (back in the not-always-good old days), attendance wasn't mandatory. And thankfully there wasn't email so I would never have been tempted to send one like that! I either would have just gone to class (most likely) or stayed away if *sick* and kept my mouth shut.
Email from students sounds like it could be a pain sometimes, no pun intended, haha. :)
I hate getting TMI from students. I know that they are giving details so I don't think they're lying, but I really don't want to hear about their gastrointestinal issues.
Btw, have you ever tried those ThermaCare heat wraps? They do wonders for cramps (though they will leave little red marks on your abdomen, so they may not be good for people with tender skin). Those things have saved my life.
I'm so sad that your email reply wasn't real!!! -Becky
Ooh you meanie! (From someone who used to get cramps so bad that she would turn completely white and sweaty and almost pass out, and missed at least one day of high school per month from the age of 12-18).
CPP: It was obvious. :-) I think there are many situations where attendance policies are necessary. I'll have to post about it later; there is not enough space here, plus I have an exam to finish writing (sigh).
Silver Fox: I do love a good pun!
THE: I haven't tried them yet; I just take a lot of meds, have a beer, and try to sleep. Good times.
Becky: Agreed. I got details on a "painful, itchy rash" today. Um...ick?
Cath: yikes! That sounds awful. Glad things are better now!
Oh! I finally got what TMI was. Duh!
I'm of two minds about this issue. On the one hand you have the smart student who can skip attendance and still do very well. Mostly you see the lazy layabouts who don't want to attend class and then slow everyone else down when they don't have a clue about what's going on in class.
BTW cramps is the lamest of excuses second only to the dog eating your homework. At the very least make it interesting.
Cube - your comment, while valid to you - may not apply to everyone else. It's lovely of you to share your opinion but anyone who says cramps are a lame excuse has never experienced the monthly torturous, vomiting hell that some women go through.
But I do think the email was lame. Why use that as a reason... simply say: Dr R, I won't be in today, I'm ill. Enough details. If you want to whine, go see your therapist... you're a professor, not a parent.
While working on my Masters, I actually had a fellow GTA tell me student did not show for an exam because "it was raining." Upon telling my friend this (the Sunday after the Thursday exam), the student was shocked when she told her she would have to speak with the professor to see if she (the student) would still be allowed to take it.
The truly sad part is the professor said no, and the student went to the chair of the department who said yes. This of course did not help the student's grade either way, since she failed that exam just like the one previous to it.
Science Bear--That happened to one of my friends who was teaching Western Civ! I never understood why rain was such a problem.
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