I can't see why you should adjust this student's grade. You apparently make it clear on your syllabus that 25% of the grade is from the final project, something she did not complete. Period.
I assume that nowhere on the syllabus do you speak of substituting any other work for the final project. This case would be analogous to a student who decides that because of her fine work in class discussion, she does not need to complete a homework assignment or meet your attendance requirements. The student is not at liberty to make such substitutions without your prior approval.
I'm guessing the ombudsperson is trying to do her/his job, but it does not appear to me that the student has a leg to stand on.
Esther
P.S. On second thought, this approach has potential. I think I'll approach my dean and suggest that, because of the extra care I put into grading homework assignments, that I should be released from committee work.
At 12:39 AM 1/23/01 -0500, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Tipsters,
My introductory psychology syllabus states on the first page that the course
requirements are based on three (out of four) examinations, quizzes, and a
final project. The split is given 50% for the exams, 25% for the quizzes, 25%
for the final project.
Several students in one section of intro psych at Santa Monica College either
just flat out didn't hand in the final project, or decided (without
consulting me) to take the fourth exam and not hand in the final project. In
the case of one student who did the latter, I took the average of the three
highest exam grades, the quizzes, and got a 67% - a D. Since her grade would
have been an A or a B if she'd fulfilled the requirements as stated on the
syllabus, I decided to be merciful and give her a C. But I have received a
phone call from the college ombudsperson and fear that I will end up having
to revise her grade upwards.
How does my case look to you - I have a copy of my syllabus available. Based
on your experiences, will I end up having to raise her grade because "she
took four exams, so it's equal to the course requirements?"
Nancy Melucci
ELAC
Esther Yoder Strahan, Ph.D
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Heidelberg College
310 E. Market St.
Tiffin, Ohio 44883
U.S.A.
Tel. (419) 448-2238
Fax (419) 448-2236
