So, I took Chem and it was really easy. There are just 5 tests and then he gives out test reviews that are the same exact as the tests. I had a problem and I wasn’t able to go cause I had to work. I barely attended class (I know its bad) but I have an A average. He called me in today saying I need documentation for my reason. If I don’t give that to him, will he fail me even though I have an A? Are they even allowed to do that? The withdrawal date has passed too so he cannot drop me.
Thanks
Check the language on the syllabus about attendance.
All it says is that for 3 or more itll go down a letter grade. I’m just scared he’ll give me an F for not going. But I made an A on all my tests.
Does your school have a “failure due to excessive absences” policy?
Check your school website to see what it says regarding attendance since it’s not stated specifically on your syllabus.
In virtually all cases, school policy is controlling. So if the school has a specific policy about this, the professor has to follow it. It is actually a contract and would hold up in court. Check for both an absenteeism policy and/or a grading policy.
However, if the school’s policy is absent or says that each department or professor can set their own policy for absenteeism or grading in general, then the syllabus rules. It is also a contract, and he cannot change the policy arbitrarily. So if he explicitly stated that “3 or more” absences, with no upper limit, would result in the lowering of your grade one letter, then he cannot give you less than a B. Don’t get confrontational, but just point it out calmly and logically. If he won’t budge, tell him you are going to take it up with the Department Head, the Dean, and whatever academic council oversees these things. If you have described things accurately, you are in the right.
But it seems you do have a reason, if you had to work. Can’t you provide proof of that? Or does he not consider that a reason?
Check the language and really make sure. It may say that after 3 absences he’ll drop you a letter grade for each additional absence. If that’s the case, he’s perfectly within his rights to fail you. Next time be sure to read the syllabi carefully for your classes and take note of any attendance policies. If you can’t fulfill them then you’ll have to drop the class before it becomes an issue next time.
On the other hand, if the syllabus simply states that he will only drop you a letter grade if you have 3 or more absences, then you should first politely talk to the professor. If that doesn’t work, get in contact with the dean of the department.
Wait, he needs a reason for what? Missing all those classes in general? Missing a test review? Missing a test? Sorry, maybe I’m reading your post wrong.
Are you able to provide documentation of you working? Can’t you just ask your employer? If you can provide that, it should be sufficient; just be nice and professional about it and I doubt your professor will dock a letter grade from an A student.
Just as a bit of an aside, although it is somewhat similar, at the end of my freshman year I got my Calc II grade and it was a B+. I was surprised because I had aced every test and was sure I had aced the final. Luckily I saw the grade before all my other finals were over and so was able to go see the prof. As another aside, while I was waiting in the hallway I could hear the student that was in there already and was complaining about getting a C, and that he would never get into med school. The young prof, who was a nice guy, was just exasperated and said he heard that all the time and the grade was the grade. So when I went in, the first thing I said was “I am not premed, so this isn’t about that”. He got a big smile. So I explained that I had gotten A’s on all the tests and the final so I didn’t understand the B+. He looked in his grade book and said “oh, you never turned in any homework. That was 10% of the grade.” I was shocked, I never realized homework was mandatory for that class as far as turning it in. I just missed it somehow. I told him that and said “Well, first, I really did do most of the homework, but even if I hadn’t I obviously know the material well. Do I really deserve a B+?” He thought for a second, agreed with me and changed it to a solid A. But I sure learned to read the syllabi more carefully after that.
I don’t see how working is necessarily a valid excuse. Working students need to sign up for classes at times they can actually attend class. Taking classes online is an alternative. I’ve heard of students who enroll in MWF classes and miss every Friday due to working, but they certainly are held accountable for absences as described in the syllabus.
You seem to have been able to schedule your work around the class period on the days you had exams. Why couldn’t you schedule it around your regular class period on days when you didn’t have exams?
@fallenchemist he seems like a really cool reasonable guy!