Of course, the freshman don't know this, but word of mouth spreads fast, and they soon feel lucky to have me for a required course.Of course, the freshman don't know this, but word of mouth spreads fast, and they soon feel lucky to have me for a required course. I'm known as fair (and fairly easy when it comes to grades), and an interesting lecturer. My assignments are reasonable, my classroom is relaxed and my office door is always open. I'm almost another "Mr. Chips!" The only thing my freshman students have to complain about is the weekly written assignment - an essay on the major points of the week's lectures and reading material. I have a very good reason for assigning this essay - it is "Phase Three." By the end of the third week, five of the seven "candidates" asked for appointments to see me to discuss their failing grades. I had failed all seven, all three weeks. Grading at the University is "blind." That is, the students place only their last five digits of their student ID number on all written assignments and tests. All grading is done by number, without a student's name ever becoming associated with the product, unless the student permits it. However, as department head, I had already copied down the ID numbers of all my "possibles" during my initial selection process. Now, I was about to meet them "up close and personal." Debbie was the first, and I immediately scratched her off the list. She was irate and aggressive about her "F's" and demanded I review each point and discuss the deficiencies. After teaching the material for so many years, it's easy to refute any freshman's arguments, but it still pissed me off to have to do it with Debbie. I assured her that her grades would undoubtedly improve as the semester went on. Colleen was second, and was a definite possibility. Blonde, blue- eyed, she was pretty and fresh and had a dazzling smile. |