October 26, 2008
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Fifty percent (50%) of my campus email messages are typically student excuses; I just compiled that statistic now when I checked my campus email. So, I started a folder titled “Excuses.” Maybe I’ll make ‘em all into a book someday?
“Unfortunately, I have to stick to my syllabus’ rules.” = This is what I place in many, many student email responses. In fact, I need to enforce another one of my rules MORE: “Emails to the instructor must be error-free.” I guess I could not respond to poorly-written email messages, and that would solve having to say “Yes” or “No” to their requests.
Oddly, when I get those emailed excuses, I do want to give them extra time or whatever, but if I do it for one person, I have to do it for all of them no matter if the excuse is valid or not. And that thought ALONE causes so much stress. It’s easier on me (and fair to all in each class) to JUST SAY NO.
Comments (3)
I have to remember that myself; let in one excuse, you have to deal with them all.
@GreekPhysique - Precisely. I get looked at like, “Wow, you are harsh,” by my colleagues but I’m not one of those professors who has 15 people in my office during my office hours because I let them hand in stuff later or because they know I’m a softie.
That would be me! I need to be more of an enforcer!