My policy was that I would only commend on things that I knew first hand. So even if students wanted to give me autobiographical information I would not accept it. That alternative would have been to do more fact checking than would have been practical. So, if my only contact with a student had been in the classroom, the letter would be very short; I let them know this. Some wanted the letter anyway, others took my advice to find people who knew them better.
On Nov 27, 2012, at 8:09 PM, Dr. Bob Wildblood wrote: > Rob Weisskirch wrote: > >> So, I thought: What if I charged students? For >> example, first letter is free and then the >> subsequent 5 letters are $50 or $100--regardless of >> what they say. At least, that would help >> compensate for my time. Our campus has no policy >> prohibiting such action. I mean the airlines >> charge for luggage--are we professors selling our >> time short by not doing so? >> >> What do you think? >> > I don't believe I have any obligation to write letters of recommendation for > any > student, but of course I do write letters for students that I have had in > more > than one class and who have shown a high degree of understanding in the > course and especially if they have done some extra work in the course. Other > students who ask are often told that I didn't think I could write a > meaningful > letter for them. Even A students may be told that the only thing I can say > is > that I had you in a class and you got a grade of A. > > As I said, I don't think I am obligated to write letters for students unless > I > think it might be helpful. I ask them to give me a short biography, work > history, involvement in academic and social organizations, and anything else > that I might be able to use to write the letter. I think that is part of the > teaching responsibility. Paul Brandon Emeritus Professor of Psychology Minnesota State University, Mankato [email protected] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=21938 or send a blank email to leave-21938-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
