Hello Friends, 

I always respond to IMs (instant messages) that I receive from students. Usually I 
find it to be enjoyable and non-intrusive (if I am busy I just tell the student so.)

Yesterday I had an unpleasant experience. I agreed to accept an IM and was greeted 
with "F-- you I hate you."

I know this will seem trivial to you - as I write it seems that way to me. It was very 
upsetting to me. I did not respond, I just deleted it. Being who I am I can certainly 
imagine a bunch of possible culprits...everyone from angry students who received 
lowered grades or failures for plagiarism to a secretary at an online school who took 
it upon herself to tell a student that received an I that she didn't have to submit 
the outstanding work (I confronted her.) Or it could have been a fluke, not intended 
for me at all. I know I shouldn't take it personally, but it did put me in a funk for 
the rest of the day.

This is just to vent a little. I generally find this mode of communication to be a 
great way to feel connected to both students and colleagues. I am not going to stop 
accepting student IMs because of this cowardly and ridiculous behavior. It just, well, 
kinda sucks that I have to worry about it happening again. That's life in the big 
psychology instructor city...

Nancy Melucci
LACCD



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