Deb, when I read this letter, I felt the institution had to change to meet her needs. After all, it does exist to serve the student. After all, Majorie is right. Even the great flagship research universities couldn't exist without the students--and sports.
No offense, but why does the institution need to change? There are many students that come from these flagship research universities and feel very satisfied with their college experience (if not, the alumni office would have a rather tough time raising $). Some students don't care if they have a close, meaningful, personal relationship with their profs and they don't want to have one either. They see school as a stepping stone to get further in life/job/whatever and don't share your personal philosophy. You yourself have admitted on this listserv to having students in your class who have respectfully (or perhaps, not so respectfully :) disagreed with your teaching methods and emphasis on personal growth.
There is a variety of different types of schools available - if everyone wanted the same thing, all schools would be the same. But not everyone has the same values. I view picking a school like picking a job. Sure, there are a wide variety of jobs that I could work at, but I choose a regional state university, because it suited my needs better. I could go elsewhere, but it may not suit my needs and I wouldn't be happy.
I am always amazed how so many of us are so quick to place the onus on the student and so often so slow to accept responsibility. Even here at VSU, I am always amazed at how the overwhelming majority of students are amazed when they discover that someone, especially a professor, really cares about and for them. So many of us think we care, so many of us proclaim that we care, but our care is so often so conditional. So many of us don't really know or understand whom it is we care about. We fall back on stereotypes, assumption, presumptions, etc that often bear little reality to the individual student.
The student does have to have some responsibility - it shouldn't be a one-way street in EITHER direction. The student that you mentioned does appear to have tried to change things, but doesn't feel as if she has accomplished her goal. Her needs are not being met at that school. I think it is sad that she can't find someone that could be a mentor for her. However, she can sit there and complain (because it doesn't seem as if anyone at the school is willing to change for her), or she can find a school that better suits her. That was my point.
I believe that most of us on this listserv do care about their students - if they didn't give a rat's behind, they wouldn't be on here trying to find ways to better get points across, improve their teaching and advising, or find out the best way to handle difficult situations. Sure, I get frustrated with students, but it is on an individual student basis, rather than holding some stereotype or assumption about a group of students. And it certainly doesn't mean that I won't help a student out - even one that just makes me want to scream.
Make it a good day.
--Louis--
Louis Schmier www.therandomthoughts.com Department of History www.halcyon.com/arborhts/louis.html Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia 31698 /~\ /\ /\ (229-333-5947) /^\ / \ / /~ \ /~\__/\ / \__/ \/ / /\ /~ \ /\/\-/ /^\___\______\_______/__/_______/^\ -_~ / "If you want to climb mountains, \ /^\ _ _ / don't practice on mole hills" -\____
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Deb
Dr. Deborah S. Briihl Dept. of Psychology and Counseling Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA 31698 (229) 333-5994 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://chiron.valdosta.edu/dbriihl/
Well I know these voices must be my soul... Rhyme and Reason - DMB
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