Advice wanted about uni problem.

TrickyNiki

Bascially because of all the snow last week I missed a fair few lectures. This doesnt matter as I will catch up on the work.

The problem is I missed a timetabled demonstration/hand in report slot. I emailed the lecturer beforehand to let him know (copyed into the module leader as well). I receved no reply. I put in the email that I would be happy if he could move the slot to monday. The missed work is 40% of the module.

It starts snowing again on sunday, knowing I would be snowed in again I emailed the lecturer again stating this. I asked for a mutually agreeable time.

Today still no reply from the lecturer I emailed him asking him why was he ignoring me as had apologised profusely, but the weather conditions were not my fault. I aslo stated that I had tried to catch him in his office during the week with no luck. I stated I was insulted that he found me too uniportant to deal with and said if he continued to not reply I would follow the university complaints procedure.

The lecturer replyed he has 200 students to deal with and could not be expected to make individual communications with them. He stated that I had not attended half of his timetabled slots (a lie) and that he wouldnt respond to threats and to complain if I wanted to, but he wouldnt be awarding me any marks as I missed the deadline he set.

I have replayed stating I wasnt threatening him, just upset and worried about my course. that I wasnt responsible for the weather. I apologised again but I dont think I will get anywhere.

Do you think I should complain? How would I go about it withoug alinenatiing the lecturer and not letting me sit the second demonstration in a few months (60%)?

I am so worried I am going to fail now

Swirlywurly

I think you have made things difficult for yourself now, but it can still be resolved.

Firstly, why did you assume he was ignoring you? Maybe he read the email and had every intention of getting round to replying. Maybe he was ignoring you, but since you had problems with snow and transport isn't it likely that other people (including him) could have experienced the same? You went in all guns blazing when you were the one that needed his help, not the other way around and not surprisingly he has come back and replied on the defensive. Even if he hadn't replied you still would have had the proof from the emails that you have been trying to communicate with him.

I would try and arrange an appointment with your personal tutor to explain the situation and possibly go and see someone at the student union advice place if they have one. Remember, you are the one that needs help, he doesn't need anything from you.

Good luck

melsieloo

Sounds like a nice teacher you've got there. In my classes at Uni we have to sign a sheet to say we've attended, is there nothing like that to prove you've attended the lectures? Surely there have been other students with the same problem it may be worth talking to them too. I would go to your student advice department and speak to them before making it an official complaint, tell them you've tried to communicate with your teacher but it's getting you nowhere and your fears about failing

Piggles12345

You may have already alienated the lecturer somewhat!

What do your examination and assessment guidelines say about late submissions? Do they mention extreme weather?

If they say that extreme weather will permit students to be late for or miss exams or coursework deadlines, then you just need to present the lecturer with this. I would also make your director of UG studies (I assume you are a UG) aware of the situation and present the university's guidelines to them as well.

If not, I would book an appointment with your director of UG studies and state your case as to why you feel that a fail mark is unjust.

If you do go and see you director of UG studies I would print out all of the e-mail conversation and take it with you to present your case that you did make the lecturer aware of your weather problems.

If you are a good student, with good attendance then staff tend to be very willing to hear you out. However, there is a risk that they could perceive your e-mail (the one about him finding you 'unimportant') as being a bit arsey and might close ranks.

First thing to do is take a look at the university guidelines on submissions and lateness.

Keep posting and let me know how you get on with this.

TrickyNiki

I believed he was ignoring me as it has been 7 days since the first email and when he replyed
"Sorry, there are another 200 students (undergraduate and postgraduate) that I should deal with and I do not have time to make individual communications."

I know I may have made things difficult but 40% is a lot of marks to lose for bad weather. I did apologise about being arsy I said I as sorry for any offence and that I was very upset and worried about losing the marks.

There is no attendance sheet. There are only 5 students in this lecture so I dont think its that hard to keep track. All in all I believe I have missed 2 posible 3 lectures and one of thoses ended up cancelled.

My fisrt 2 emails were nice, and today (7 days later) I sent the "Arsey" email.

maybe I should post the emails....

TrickyNiki

Oh and we dont have personal tutors, only first year students get those and I'm a second year.

Piggles12345

If there is no attendance sheet then if it came to it, it is your word against his as to whether you were there or not!

It is good that you have apologised for the arsey e-mail then that is good! But it is somewhat out of order that he didn't respond to you when it was regarding something as important as your assessment mark!

Out of interest, which uni are you at? And what are you studying?

Have a look at the university's exam and assessment guidelines (they might take a while to find but they will be online somewhere!)...

TrickyNiki

I would rather not give out such information on the public forum as it would be very easy to trace who I am talking about. I dont mind sending them in a PM as long as nothing gets back to the university.

I am wary about alinating this person any further.

Piggles12345

TrickyNiki wrote: »

I would rather not give out such information on the public forum as it would be very easy to trace who I am talking about. I dont mind sending them in a PM as long as nothing gets back to the university.

I am wary about alinating this person any further.

Hee hee! The idea that your lecturer is a money saver makes me laugh! I am just picturing my lecturers scouring the forums for advice on their utility bills whist we all think they are churning out research papers!!

But seriously, a wise decision!

TrickyNiki

Well either he scours the forums, or someone mails him to let them know about this forum either way bad for me!!!

I think I will wait to see what he says tomorrow in lecture. Hes not a very reasonable person though.

Its just started to snow again!! (I think I'm going to cry!)

MORPH3US

Lecturers can be lazy ignorant creatures, but letting them know that in an e-mail was pure silly. You needed the help from him / her and p*ssing him / her off was not a good idea.

Have you handed the assignment in by now? Please god say you have. The first thing to do is get it handed in even if it is late, then go an speak to the tutor personally and explain that it was late and why.

Once you have done that, if you have no luck then go to the head of faculty and higher until you have exhausted the process.