Dear Judy,
I’m a tenured professor (yes, the last of a dying breed, no pun, considering the name of your web site, intended); I prefer not to name the university at which I teach for reasons that will become obvious.
What I’m facing is an ethical question. I have a sophomore- year student with leukemia; he is in very bad shape, and often absent from class. His grades have been terrible, not only I believe because of his illness: he is a poor thinker and an indifferent writer. But the illness surely made things worse. And I’m as sure as can be that during finals this coming week, he will make a very poor showing.
He has not asked either to drop the course or for an extension of the final exam to a later date, perhaps because time is not his friend. I am not a grade-inflator, for many reasons: most importantly, it is a disservice to those who deserved the good grades they got.
On the other hand, I don’t think I could bear the thought of giving a very sick and perhaps dying student a failing grade.
Do you have any suggestions?
Fred
Dear Fred,
Of course I have a suggestiion. You mention that the sick student hasn’t “asked” for an extension perhaps because he might not be around to take the final exam at a later date.
Nonetheless, I suggest you take the student aside and explain that he should get an extension. You don’t have to mention his illness; it’s clear he doesn’t want it to be a factor in your decisions. You can simply say you don’t think he’s ready for the final, and needs a bit more time to study.
If he refuses to take the hint — if he insists on taking the final this month — then I say go with your heart, not your acadmeic conscience. Inflate his grade. Give him a C.
Hell, give him a B.
Unless the subject is brain surgery, and he intends to start operating the next day, I don’t see what harm it can do.
Thank you for writing
Judy
Without knowing what other teachers are doing, it’s just not possible to answer this question. If other teachers are failing that student, Fred shouldn’t give the student a passing grade — no matter what. (I’m a teacher…)
Once again Judy, bad advice. When will you learn? Would you want YOUR kid to have a teacher who gives out “mercy passes”??? Ever a lawyer or architect only because that lawyer or architect is sick?
You know why universities are called ivory towers? Because of people like Fred! A young person is dying, but Mister Ethics is concerned only about his own conscience.
Keep him in the same grade bracket he was in before he fell ill. Illness is not an excuse for anything.
Let’s be honest; virtually all grades are subjective unless they’re the result of tests done by #2 lead pencils and scored by a computer. Since Fred talks about the student’s writing skills, this is obviously not the case.
While there is usually the need to respect the integrity of grading in an institution of higher learning, there are exceptions. Fred should be generous, and if there is a pass/fail option, suggest that be the choice of his student.
Don’t listen to Jean in Ohio who probably is an ultra-conservatve.
May I respond to Michel, please? What has my supposed conservatism to do with anything? Does he imply that liberals don’t care about the quality of their professionals? Would Michel hire an unworthy person out of mercy? Being ill is no reason to get unjustified academic credits. This approach is a complete distortion of charity and mercy and is also counterproductive in that it will cause us to suspect any working sick person. Credit (pun intended) should be given where it is due!
Well this one sure ruffled some feathers….I would agree with offering the opportunity to extend without mentioning the illness. By the way, how does the professor know of the illness? The post does not specify whether the student informed him or not. If it was word of mouth, then he has much more to worry about, such as the HIPPA issue. Another thing, the student may be a “poor thinker and indifferent writer” because, gee dying will do that to ya.