So I received a C in a course, and the professor seemed to ever so slightly not like me and my performance in the course. The grades have been submitted for that semester, we are on to a new semester and I am attending my new courses.
I just got an email from the professor from the previous course asking for my student ID, saying that he wants to change my grade. He didn’t indicate to what and I am too afraid to ask.
I was wondering, is he allowed to change my grade to a lower one? I understand professors can submit a grade change but what are the chances he can lower my grade? Hope you can help!
There’s generally a statute of limitations on that, though. If I recall, when I was instructing a course in graduate school I could make changes within 2 years of the class being completed. I believe there was some justification process for any changes made after the grade deadline, though (I never had the need to use it).
Everywhere I’ve taught, changing grades is common enough that there’s a special form just for that purpose. Where I teach now, it usually means correcting a “clerical error” (like miscalculation) or to remove an incomplete. I’ve never lowered a grade in 30 years, but if I discovered evidence of, say, plagiarism, I’m certain I could do so. I need my dean’s signature to do it; it’s usually a 30-second conversation – but there’s at least a small check in the system to keep me from abusing the process.
Provide him with your student ID (he can find it other ways) and ask him what’s going on (it’s perfectly natural). I’d imagine he’d tell you, and if it’s a lower grade, I think it’s appropriate to ask to meet to discuss.
Seems like a tough situation. There is nothing you can do at this point because by FERPA he is allowed to contact admissions and get your student id number himself. As tough as it may sound, try to learn from this situation and let this be a baseline for your performance in future classes. Your reality is your perception of it, try to not dwell on it too much even though it sucks. If you’re honest and helpful, karma will find you regardless of the results of this grade change. Best of luck @Ramon3
