Now that Halloween is almost here, Swagbucks has increased cash back at a big group of their Halloween-related stores, so you can earn cash back while getting costumes, decorations, and more for the end of the month. Just click here to see the deals, and sign up for Swagbucks (if you haven't already) to start earning cash back in the form of SB points, which you can exchange for gift cards or PayPal cash.
The sale is going through October 31st, and if you sign up through me, you'll get a 1000 SB rebate ($10) after your first shopping purchase through Swagbucks!
So, a couple weeks ago I get an email from Texas Workforce.
Telling me that HUD looked at my case and that they are finding just cause.
HOWEVER...
Since Texas Workforce told me to sign that settlement, they're not willing to help anymore.
So, if I have any attorney friends, or anyone that knows anyone.
I have to get out of this contract that Texas Workforce had me sign...then I can go after the apartments...since Texas Workforce found just cause (I don't know because they won't talk to me anymore) I can file a lawsuit against the apartments.
It's a fairly good case...it's a VERY STRONG case with lots of evidence.
So, I'm going to push it...and tell the world what happened to me with University Courtyards...how they harassed me after I filed the fair housing complaint.
The parent company is DTI Investments, out of California. They have apartments everywhere and prey on college students. So, please, if you know anyone...let me know!
Swagbucks is holding their Swago promotion starting Tuesday, June 27th at 9am PDT! It's just like bingo, but in this case you're filling out squares as you earn points on their site for doing things you already do online. If you're thinking of trying Swagbucks, this is a great chance to learn all about how the site works and earn bonus points while doing it.
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Click here to sign up and get started! If you sign up through my link and earn 300 SB before the first of next month, you'll get a bonus 300 SB!
Two years since I started this rollercoaster that is now my life.
A lot has happened in those two years.
I came back to a new life.
I'm no longer a wife.
I no longer live in Lufkin.
I'm no longer a member of PBL...though I hope that changes this year.
I've gravitated more towards politics.
I've learned who I am again...
For a while, I lost myself...
I forgot who I was.
I put Mike first...all the time.
My family has been torn apart.
The man that I thought I knew, have known for 30 years
CHANGED.
So, now I'm divorced...again. I've been absent for a while to try to get my life straight.
I still have my hard days.
I still think that I'm going to spend the rest of my life alone.
I still face the uncertainty...
EVERY.
SINGLE.
DAY.
I wake up scared, I go to bed scared.
The life that I once had, the security, is gone.
BUT
I've made wonderful friends.
I've learned a lot.
I've found who I am again.
You know, people ask me constantly if I were able to go back and change anything, would I do it. My answer is, and has always been
NO.
Everything that has happened to me, everything that I've gone through, every tear that I've cried, every heartache, every fear, has contributed to make me who I am...and I wouldn't change that for the world. Yeah, it's hard...it hurts.
IT SUCKS! But, I wouldn't change it for the world.
I said a long time ago, "I don't think I will ever graduate college".
And it holds true today.
Being a military wife, I had to start over on my degree plan every time I moved. So, I'm out of financial aid...besides...I've been trying to get this degree for 20 years now.
Twenty freaking years...I've worked hard. I've endured 2 abusive husbands, 2 divorces, and being homeless twice, yet still I perservered.
And now, I have no funding for these last ten classes.
TWO SEMESTERS...that's all that is between me and a piece of paper that i've worked very hard for.
I've had people make promises and break them.
I've done a lot.
Yeah, because I was homeless my GPA dropped...I get that...even though that's not a good enough excuse.
People like me don't get degrees, we are the ones that do the minimum wage jobs for those that do have the degrees.
I've always dreamed of having a house, and a car that is reliable. I've dreamed of going to work every day in an office, or a classroom...I'm not picky.
TEN classes....TWO semesters....that's all that is left.
I helped my ex through college, and the deal we made was for him to support me in college after he got his degree...yeah, that didn't happen.
I don't know if I will ever be able to finish these last ten classes...right now, I have to find some sort of job...something to help out.
On the bright side...I can study for my Magic Judges Exam, and try to get better at playing Magic...maybe I can earn the money that way.
So, unless by some miracle, I have a benefactor that is willing to pay for the next semester, FOUR of those ten classes, I won't be able to finish. If I can pass those FOUR classes, then DARS will pay for the rest of my education...until then...I'm on the outside looking in...and Hoping.
In honor of all the Moms out here, Swagbucks has a special one-day-only collector's bill available exclusively through Search! It's a 24 SB bill available all Mother's Day long - and here's the best part: If you get it, you'll get an automatic 20 SB bonus as well!
If you aren't already a member of Swagbucks, it's a site where you earn points (called SB) for Searching the web, shopping, discovering deals, taking surveys, and watching videos. Then you redeem those points for gift cards to places like Amazon, PayPal, Walmart, Starbucks, Target, and more! They've awarded over $185 million in free gift cards already.
Swagbucks has one more bit of April fun - it's the return of Swago! It's just like bingo, but in this case you're filling out squares as you earn points on their site for doing things you already do online. The best part is that the points you get can be used to get free gift cards to places like Amazon, or PayPal cash!
Fill up your board and then submit your pattern to get even more points - if you can fill in the whole board, you get a 700 SB ($7) bonus! Click here to sign up and get started! If you sign up through my link and earn 300 SB before May 1st, you'll get a bonus 300 SB!
I've had several people ask me why I use a wheelchair, and I've learned to have a great comeback for that...
I'm an overachiever!
Seriously, though...why do I use a wheelchair, when I can walk...albeit a little bit. The answer is:
I'm an overachiever!
or My body doesn't like me...
So, the first thing is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, otherwise known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. This is the most painful disease known to medicine. On a daily basis, I live with pain around a 7 out of 10. For 20 years, I fought this disease. For 20 years, I lived with the pain, sometimes so bad I would be crying. It all came down to "how bad do I want to hurt while walking?" and what happened during a football game in Dallas. The ex and I went to a game, and he didn't want to pay the $50 that I usually pay for parking. There's a perfectly good parking lot 5 minutes from the stadium...he didn't realize it was the very outer edges of the furthest parking lot of the stadium.
So, I sucked it up and walked...by then I was using crutches. During the game he had me going to get the drinks and snacks. After the game, it was time to go back to the car...by this time I was in so much pain I could barely walk. So, what should have taken 15 minutes took me over 45 minutes...and it was 9/10 of a mile. He still couldn't understand why I was in tears by the time I got to the car.
When I went to my doctor to see if there was stronger pain killers or something, he suggested it was time for a wheelchair. So, I agreed. Using the chair helped with the pain....A LOT!!
But, the ex didn't believe that I needed the wheelchair. So, on March 17, 2016 we got into an argument about me using the wheelchair. He was saying I didn't need it, I was saying I didn't want to be around him. It ended with him assaulting me, and throwing me out of my wheelchair. When that happened, I had abrasions on my arms and knees, but my back was also hurting...I chalked it up to me overreacting to the assault.
Then...my back pain kept getting worse. Now, I've been living with back pain for 9 years because (and here's more of the overachiever part) I have Syringomyelia, or a syrinx in my spinal cord. It hurts, but has always taken a back burner to the RSD.
Then I went to the doctor, and he noticed my foot spasming and asked me how long that has been happening...I told him since I was assaulted. He immediately sent me for an MRI.
When I got the results of the MRI, and went to the doctor, I told him I was in tears that morning because of the pain...getting out of bed is always the worst. He looked at the results of the MRI and shook his head, and said to himself "I don't understand why you're not in excruciating pain." (Keep in mind I've been dealing with RSD for 20 years, and have a VERY HIGH tolerance to pain.) He then did a couple of reflex tests, which were amusing because there was very very little movement if at all...and shook his head again. Then, his eyes got wide, and he looked at me and said, "You are in excruciating pain" it's just that you're so used to the pain that you can deal with it a little better. So, it has been verified...my ex gave me an incomplete SCI when he assaulted me. This was clearly evidenced last week when I accidently had boiling water splashed on my foot. I felt the water hit, but no pain. We got my brace and sock off immediately, and I poured cold water on my foot because I knew...even though I didn't feel any pain, my body was feeling it. My poor foot immediately went into spasms and my leg started cramping...for the first time since this whole ride began, my calf was actually cramping...before this it's always been my thigh...so yeah I was freaking out a bit.
The verdict? A second degree scald on the top of my foot...No, it never hurt, but I've been really careful with it.
So why do I use that thing? (Again, it's a wheelchair, and it's OK to ask)
Again, I joke about it...tell people I'm really lazy, that I argue with stairs, and that walking is overrated. Take your pick. I'm an overachiever, even in rare diseases I overachieve....I can't have just one. Yes, it's ok to ask me anything, and I will answer. And, no I'm not the best using a wheelchair, but I can balance like you wouldn't believe.
I don't let it stop me...I participate in Amtgard and go camping...it's hard, and I use my crutches a lot. I've even gotten brave and walked without my crutches...just as long as I have my braces on. I've incorporated my braces into my garb...and the people at my park do try to be careful with me when I do decide to participate in the games...though it's rare.
So, if you see me walking, know that it does hurt me...A LOT...and that I'm fighting through the pain. I refuse to let my disease identify and limit me, and I TRY REALLY HARD to do everything that I used to do.
Swagbucks is celebrating their birthday all day on February 27th, but they want to give YOU presents. You can play Swago (their version of bingo) all day long, filling out squares as you earn points on their site for doing things you already do online.
For each square you fill in, you get a spin on their big birthday prize wheel, where you can earn up to 2500 points with each spin!
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Fill up your board and then submit your patterns to get even more spins and more chances to win big points!
Click here to sign up and get started! If you sign up through my link and earn 300 SB before March 1st, you'll get a bonus 300 SB!
February is a month of love, and getting a $5 bonus from Swagbucks is their way of showing it! Swagbucks is a rewards site where you earn points (called SB) for things you're probably doing online already, like searching, watching videos, discovering deals, and taking surveys. Then you take those points and exchange them for gift cards to places like Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, Target, or PayPal cash.
When you sign up through me this month, you can earn a $5 bonus! Here's how:
2. Earn 300 SB total before 3/1/17. You'll get a $3 (300 SB) bonus for it!
3. If you spend at least $25 through Swagbucks Shop* you'll get another $2 (200 SB) bonus on top of the cash back you'll get from shopping. If you have some shopping to do online, just go to Swagbucks first and visit the store through them. It doesn't cost you anything extra, but you'll get SB points for every dollar you spend (on top of the bonus)!
That's it. It's super easy, and Swagbucks is for real. I use it myself, and I've earned over 33,000 Swagbucks since I've started! That's over $300 that I've gotten for FREE!!! Which I mostly use on Amazon, because we all like to shop there!
*You must receive your shopping SB before April 1st
Valentine's Day is here, and if you still don't have a gift picked out, Swagbucks and ProFlowers are teaming up to give you a great deal. Order through this link (you'll be asked to create your Swagbucks account if you don't already have one) and you'll get 15% off of your order PLUS 1000 SB, which is the equivalent of $10 in gift cards at Swagbucks. The 13th is the last day to guarantee delivery on Valentine's day, so order now!
In case you didn't know, Swagbucks is a rewards site where you earn points (called SB) for shopping, discovering deals (like this one), watching videos, taking surveys, and even surfing the web. Then you take your SB and redeem them for gift cards to hundreds of places including Amazon, Walmart, Starbucks, Target, or PayPal.
As a special bonus to you, if you sign up through me through this offer and get the 1000 SB, you'll get a bonus 300 SB at the beginning of March. That's $13 total PLUS 15% off your Valentine's Day order.
Get it now!
Many of you have been asking me about Swagbucks, this is a great Swagbuck earning opportunity, along with getting flowers for those that are procrastinators....or have been too busy with college to remember that Tuesday is Valentine's Day!!
So, I want to interact with ya'll and tell you more of what's going on...
BUT....
I'm so gosh darn busy lately.
I think I may be a bit on the crazy side. I've taken FIVE upper level classes this semester.
Then I have the FIVE clubs that I'm a member of.
I'm an officer in FOUR of those clubs.
I'm president of TWO of those clubs.
Oh yeah, did I mention the internship I accepted this semester?
Yeah, got that covered also.
So, as you see...if my posts are sporadic again, it's a GOOD busy!
I'm really enjoying things this semester so far, tomorrow is the end of the third week of school.
Oh yeah...I received word last night that I get to go to SFA Days in Austin in a couple weeks.
I will be taking a lot of pictures and posting them when I go! Also, I will be posting pictures of my adventures in Amtgard (also the LARP club). Stay tuned.
So, I figure before I’m silenced, I will tell what has
happened to me from the apartments. They
want me to drop the Fair Housing complaint, and sign a confidentiality
agreement.
FOR $3,500. 00
Apparently this is all they think I’m worth. All the things that they’ve done, how many
times I’ve asked for the handicap parking spot.
The times I’ve had to call the police.
Even the time I had to get an escort into my own apartment from the
police because the manager let other tenants stand behind my car, and wouldn’t
let me back out.
Then I got this email from the lady at Texas Workforce…
The Respondents have made a counter offer:
1.
My clients will waive the amounts due and owing from Ms. Cook as set forth on
the ledger;
2.
My clients will pay $2,000.00 to Ms. Cook;
3.
The parties will sign a settlement agreement prepared by the undersigned to
include a full release and confidentiality provision, among other things; and
4.
Ms. Cook will withdraw her Fair Housing Complaint (no conciliation agreement)
The offer
will be available until the end of the week.
As I
stated below, I have discussed my recommendation with management and legal. I
want you to be aware that they may not agree with my determination. If
that happens the case will be dismissed no cause. If they agree and the case
moves forward it not likely that the damages will be anywhere in the range that
you are seeking. If the Respondents make a reasonable offer TWC may move
forward without you and settle for public relief. As far as the determination I
should have managements’ response by next Tuesday afternoon. Either way I will
contact you to let you know.
Then I was sent this email:
I will tell you that the Pre-Determination will
be a Mixed Cause finding. Meaning that we do not have enough evidence to
the allegations of Failure to Rent and Harassment. If you have additional
evidence that you believe supports the allegation then please submit it
now. If you have witnesses who witnessed firsthand the harassment
allegations, then provide their contact information. I still have not heard
from the witness you state wanted to remain anonymous nor have I been provided
with their contact information. Your other witnesses have either not responded
or their contact information provided was not in service.
Then I got this email:
Respondents have counter offered by raising the amount on
item 1. from $2000.00 to $3500.00. Items 3 and 4 will stay the same.
Respondents
state that the offer is good until Monday, September 26, 2016 and it is
their final and best offer.
Either way, they want me to sign away my soul for $3,500,
when the dollar amount of things that I lost when they evicted me were over
$12,000. This is a property that is
targeting SFA college students. And,
since I’ve moved out, I’ve talked to half a dozen other tenants that have moved
out for various reasons, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM was sent a bill for over $2,000.
I wish I could afford an attorney to fight them. I wish I could tell the world what they
did. I wish I could have back some of
the stuff they threw away. Right now, I’m
fighting to just survive. I can’t afford
my rent right now because I had to move to a place more expensive and further
from school. I only eat one meal a day
on average, and that’s only because I got a 50 block meal plan. Soon, that will be gone also. I don’t have internet at home, I’m living on
the bare essentials, with a little splurge here and there. I’m trying to find a job, but no one really
wants to hire someone in a wheelchair lately.
I want to shout that I survived the harassment that the
apartments have put me through. I want
to tell Texas Workforce, that this should have been decided months ago. This fair housing complaint was filed in
FEBRUARY!! The law states it should have been settled in 100 days. We’re going on six months. My offer to the apartments was $15,000. That would have gotten me everything that I
lost, and a little left to actually try to pay all my bills. There was a blatant fair housing violation, and
they’re getting away with it. I don’t
know what else to do.
I know you've heard me mention about Swagbucks in the past, and this is how I get some FREE gift cards!! Seriously, guys...it has helped this poor college student out a lot in the past. Sooo, with that said...
Swagbucks is having another team challenge! This is a chance to earn extra Swagbucks...read further for details!
What's your favorite part about county fairs? Is it the rides, the food, the games? I love it all!Starting Monday, September 12th, Swagbucks invites you to participate in their Midway Team Challenge. Pre-registration starts today! How will you contribute? Watching videos, completing surveys, shopping online? These activities and more will help your team get ahead. If you've never used Swagbucks before, it's a site where you can earn cash back on everyday tasks you do online. Now is a great time to join, especially if you participate in the Team Challenge because it's an opportunity to win an extra bonus for trying out the site.
All members who participate and contribute at least 400 SB to their team’s total will receive an SB bonus in the form of a rebate on their next gift card! I can’t wait to help my team come in 1st place for that 50 SB rebate.
The challenge lasts until September 16th so log on or make a free account! Pre-registration is open now!
Well, it's happened. The time came and went and still, I had no options.
I did have wonderful friends that helped me move my stuff into a trailer for storage until I find a place.
I did have wonderful friends that invited me to brunch to take my mind off things for a little while, and they also wanted to see the Wesley Foundation, that has done so much for me so far.
And, I'm more fortunate than most...I at least had a car that I could sleep in.
It may not be ideal, but at least it kept me from the elements, because, boy it got cold last night. Even the covers in my car didn't help much. I have about 45 minutes before the student center opens up, and I know I can go and change there, along with use my meal plan and get some breakfast...oh yeah and get WARM!
When I do eat, I'm going to have to charge my smart drive because it's getting down on battery levels.
I have been very humbled throughout all of this, and I know that God has a plan for me.
I want to forgive my landlords and roommate, but right now I'm not ready to. There were oral agreements made, and the landlords committed breach of contract with those. The roommate is just acting like a spoiled brat (in my opinion). Yes, I'm not perfect but SERIOUSLY...it was one argument and I was only behind $150 on rent....which they agreed to work with me on until I get my social security.
One of the landlords did talk to me last week (and made me late to class) and said that because the lease had "NO DOGS ALLOWED" underlined and highlighted, they did not have to let Rainie stay there. Guess what guys, she was a service dog, and an emotional support dog...she didn't count as a dog, and what was done was against the law. There is no way to get out of it...what they didn't know was when the mediator went to them for a settlement of some sort, I was so desperate I would have accepted just about anything. I'm more desperate now, but there's really not much more that can be done to me that I haven't already gone through.
Give me a couple of weeks, and things will be better...and honestly, besides the cold, this isn't too bad. I haven't been sleeping well anyway lately, and this actually isn't all that uncomfortable. I miss my son, and I miss his dad. If given the choice to not go through this, I think I would stay on the path that God has set for me. The "hardships" are not really hard when you know you have something to look forward to, or even something to work towards. I have both. I know this is temporary and I know that I will still be going to school despite everything that is going on. Now, it's time to go and find myself some clothes for today, and go change, then head to the school for some breakfast.
i. can. do. this.
i. am. not. broken. yet.
As long as I remember these two things, then I will be fine.
Also, here is the gofundme that my friend Marissa started for me.
I'm getting evicted. I'm not really happy about it.
There was a verbal agreement between my landlord and I, reiterated by a text message.
I had asked her to start the eviction process earlier this month, on October 12.
On October 13, she told me (via text message) we had the following conversation:
LL: Please deposit some of the rent you owe
Me: I can't afford it and the late fees.
LL: What can you pay
Me: I've got $300 to last until I get my social security
LL: OK but what can you pay for your rent now
Me: If I don't get evicted $200 but I can catch up and get ahead as soon as I get the social security. But I think I would rather take the eviction so I can have the service dog at another place. I can get her certification paperwork as soon as I get her
LL: Deposit the $200 and then you can lay [sic] the remaining $300 as soon as you can.
In this conversation, there is (in my opinion) an agreement about my rent. She accepted the fact that I can't pay that much rent, and that I would catch up and get ahead when I get my social security.
Side note: I had the medical appointment for Social Security on Monday. My case has been flagged as "dire need" and my caseworker is looking for the report from the doctor.
On the morning of October 23, I had this conversation with my Landlord:
LL: I don't care about the spare room. At this point if you can't work it out then H***** (name protected) has the upper hand her because of her rent.
Me: I understand. I'm not bothering her. I think everything is taken care of and I'm leaving her alone. So are you making it back up to $900 or still at $700? (this is in regards to the amount of rent to be paid)
LL: Just catch up with rent first
Again, there is the implication that she has accepted that my rent is late. There is also no mention of the late fees. Yes, she has been very lenient with me about the rent.
But, I feel to say this via text message, and then turn around that afternoon and hand me an eviction notice is wrong.
If you think what is happening to me is wrong, please spread the word. My friend came up with the hashtag #Mercy4Marci that we will be using.
My Faith is GREAT. I know that the Lord has a plan for me and I know that no matter how things go today, it is according to his plan.
I have to admit, I stole the "Not" something from one of my friends when she said yesterday that she was "not" dating her not boyfriend, for exactly six months.
Many of us bask in the cards and flowers. Then I have a few friends that have joined a club that we shouldn't be a member of. We've lost a little one and on this day, our arms are empty, and our soul is hurting.
My friend Zita, who lost her daughter to a head injury, is facing her first Mother's Day without her daughter, and my heart hurts for her. And my friend Espy, who never even got to take her son home from the hospital, my heart cries for her. Two friends that have lost a child. They joined a club that is exclusive but no one wants to join it.
Then there are those mom's who lost a child they never knew. These moms have lost their little ones before they had a chance to enjoy the pregnancy. This has happened to me TEN times. This is why I cling to my children so hard.
And, there is the small group of mom's that do what's best for their children. I made that choice with my oldest child, and was forced into with my daughter. Until last week, I didn't even know what my daughter looked like. I wonder if she even knows that I'm alive, or what I look like? I wonder if she thinks about me?
So, for all my friends that are Mom's, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! For those that have Angel Babies, I'm thinking about you on this hard day and know that my heart hurts for you. For those that are not mom yet, you will have a chance someday. And for those that have made the sacrifice, either voluntarily or involuntarily, you are not alone.
To the daddy's and grandparents also, Happy Mother's Day.
Me, I'm going to be up at the school helping other's with Geology, Analytic Geometry, and Archaeology. Yes...tutoring 4 people in three subjects. Someday, I will get paid for this!!
On Monday afternoon, one of our students, Qudus Olatunde Jacobs was headed to a job interview. With him was Kosolu Ughanze.
As a small school, we all mourn this loss. The only words of comfort that I have are that they are with God now and that everything happens for a reason. I've known deep loss like this, and nothing hurts more than the loss of a child or dear friend. My heart goes out to their families and friends.
Qudus was a student in the Nelson Rusche College of Business. Kosulu was a student in the Richard and Lucille DeWitt School of Nursing.
Please, everyone, as you are driving anywhere, please be careful and think about these two wonderful students that were taken from this world too soon.
Please, also remember that if you do go to SFA and need someone to talk to, there is counseling in the Rusk Building on the third floor in the Student Affairs Counseling Center.
Here are pictures that were obtained from twitter, and I hope it's OK to use them.
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-------="">----click>
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--="">----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.