What happens when your professor dies, and you have an unresolved I?

Student Lounge College Life
1

I took incompletes in my classes last semester because my grandmother died right before final project time, and it’s taken me a while to put things back together (we were close, and I lived with her and had to move), so I still have an unresolved I with a professor. I was also taking a different class with the same professor this semester. I just found out that he passed away a few days ago, and I don’t know what happens now. I presume class is cancelled tomorrow, but beyond that, I don’t know how to complete the I or if it can become a W or what, now, and I don’t know what happens with class this semester.

2

I think you need to meet with an academic advisor right away.

3

I had made an appointment to talk to my advisor (also the department head, because small graduate program) about a separate issue tomorrow. I’ll be sure to ask about this.

4

I’m sorry for your losses. This sounds like it’s been a tough year. The professor’s responsibilities will be assumed by another professor in all likelihood. That new prof will resolve your incomplete with you and finish the class for the semester. This has happened a few times at my institution.

5

Thanks. This certainly has been heavier than I expected from my first year of grad school. He was a great guy, too. I don’t know of any student who didn’t like him. It is possible they won’t be able to get another professor? My department usually uses part time instructors who work day jobs in our field, because we’re a professional program in an industry that rarely produces doctorates. From the top of my head, I can’t think of who would step in to replace him.

6

The college will find someone.

7

Talk to the head of the department first. If that doesn’t work talk to the Dean of Students about your I.
Don’t presume class is cancelled…ask the dept head about the class.

8

There will be some mechanism to deal with the I, most likely the department head.

9

I talked to my advisor today, who’s also the department chair. He says there will be an announcement about this, but there’s a university procedure to go through first, so it’ll take some time. As it stands, my advisor is teaching class tonight (as well as giving the class as a whole more information), and he will most likely grade my incomplete himself.