I Want My One Point, Please!!!

I know this may sound incredibly minor, I mean, it’s only 1 point, right?  But that point is the difference between a B and a C in this class.  And it all stems from two exams prior to the final.  On one exam, the teacher said he would give everyone a point back because he put the wrong information on the exam.  You can hear that below  at around  19 minutes through a little after 20 minutes. If the file isn't working, you can access it here. <----click comment-------="">

Then there is the third exam for this class.  The teacher said on the exam day he forgot to put in a question so it would be extra credit, three points to be exact.  I put the extra credit definition on the exam, but did not receive my 3 points.  I pointed this out when he gave use the exam back, and he said he would add that 3 points to my grade…but it never got added.  You can here that below, at around 15 minutes. If this file isn't working, you can access it here.  <----click comment-----click--="">

So, before the final, I typed up a study guide and figured what I would need to make a B in the class.  I’m pretty good at judging my grade and usually can point out which questions I get wrong.  And, for this class, I did just enough to get the B because I knew there was no way I would be able to get an A, and also I just wanted to take the exam and get away from this class/teacher.  This teacher is actually the reason that I changed my degree from AgriBusiness to Math.  I just couldn’t face another class with this teacher.  So, here’s some history with this teacher…

On the first day of class, he SUGGESTED that the table I was sitting at was crowded and that I might be more comfortable at another table.  I said I was fine and it wasn’t overcrowded.  I stayed where I was sitting because I didn’t think it was a big deal.  I was told by the other students after class that when he suggests something, he’s really telling you to do it.  So, I pissed off the teacher on the first day of class and it went downhill after that. 

There are other things, but it is not appropriate to say them here, because it has nothing to do with this situation. 

The thing that really upset me, is this.  When I went to the instructor about the grades he said he will address it in the fall semester, and I asked if it was possible to fix it this semester because that C has caused me to not get certain financial aid for the Summer sessions.  He said that he doesn’t have time, and it “requires a big form and I’m very busy.”

So, I went to the Dean of the Department, and the Dean tried to work with me about this. 

I was told the other day by my husband, who happens to have a class with this instructor, that he will see me before class the next day.  So, I went to see him.  As soon as I went to the office, he called in another faculty member and then talked to me.  The entire meeting was less than 3 minutes, and I was not given a chance to show any of my evidence.  He also called into question my INTEGRITY.  Now, I have the recordings of where it was mentioned about these things ON THE DAY HE RETURNED THE EXAMS, and that he said he would add those points.  Then during that meeting, he said that he “has absolutely no confidence” about what is on my exams because they have been in my possession all this time.  You can hear both conversations with him. (hopefully it's below)

You're going to have to skip to about 2 minutes in on both of these, and turn your volume up...I was recording it on my phone.

So, here is what it boils down to…the ONE POINT!!

Here is what my grades would be without those points added back into the exams, and what I would need to get a B.

            Exam 1            68

            Exam 2            94

            Exam 3            87

            Exam 4            ?

I would have had an 83 going into the final, and would have had to make at least a 71 to get a B in the class.

Here is what my grades would be WITH those points added back into the exams, and what I would need to get a B.

            Exam 1            68

            Exam 2            95

            Exam 3            90

            Exam 4            ?

I would have had an 84.3 going into the final and would have had to make at least a 67 to get a B in the class. 

On the final, I made a 68.  Yes, you can see that I really didn’t try that hard.

Another issue that was brought up and the reason that he would not change my grade is because I “have performed only average performance” and he doesn’t think I “deserve any other grade more than that.”  My position on this is:  IF I EARNED THE GRADE, I SHOULD GET IT NO MATTER WHAT HE THINKS OF ME.  It is stated in his syllabus that exams are “100 percent of your final grade”, there is nothing about class participation, nothing about getting a lower grade if I (as a student) don’t perform my best, and nothing about any other type of grade.  He did, however, put something in the syllabus, about attendance.  If you miss more than 3 classes, “one point will be deducted from the final grade for each class absence in excess of three unexcused absences. On a positive note, anyone who has a perfect attendance record will get the benefit of the doubt when their final grade is borderline.”  May I point out here that I had PERFECT ATTENDANCE.   

So, now I’m going through the formal grade appeal process.  By the time all is said and done, it will be too late for me to get the financial aid that I would have been able to get, had this grade been a B.  And, I doubt I will get it in the fall either because of this whole mess.  This really hurts me financially because I do not get Pell Grants, I only get this other aid, and loans.  YES, loans!  So this grant would have helped me considerably.