I am home today with what I think is mild food poisoning. I called in this morning and had my classes posted. When I return tomorrow, I will come back without a doctor's note or one from my parent's (both long deceased), or from the health center. Why can't we extend the same respect to our students. If they are off at a drag racing meet, or have three exams on one day, I give them three days to take the exam in our testing center in Library, which is run by the first cousin of the Wicked Witch of the West so I know there is no cheating. I am waiting for the replies that say we have to teach our students to be responsible, that it isn't fair for students who took the test on time, that we must uphold the standards of Dying Ivy College. With all due respect to my younger colleagues (and most of you are) I think these reasons are a tad patronizing. Even 18 year olds (or especially 18 year olds) lead complicated lives. Based on my observation, few students abuse the privilege, and virtually none do as well on the makeup.

My own personal favorite: I can't take the exam today, my mother is in the hospital after being mugged and I have to take care of my little sister. (from a person of the male persuasion). It had everything... hospital, accident, mother, and demonstrated nontraditional gender roles as well as responsibility. It beats dead grandmothers by a country mile. Finally, what is your ratio of dead grandfathers to dead grandmothers? In 36 years of teaching I have had only one grandpapa kick off.


Harry Avis PhD
Sierra College
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

Anything worth doing is worth doing at all




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