Dear Instructor...

[flaming_mo]

Due to other multiple assignments I had due this week (including an exam), I had only heard about your latest weekly assignment faux pas yesterday afternoon from a classmate, and was able to confirm it this morning. Let me explain something to you - a syllabus is a mutual contract, and while there should be some room for pliancy for all parties

Comments

[flummoxicated]

That is some serious bs on the part of the instructor. A reading response PAPER does not a chat make. You are absolutely right about the syllabus being a contract. I don't suppose the uni has any statement to that effect, they really should. I am outraged on your behalf. School is hard enough as it is without flaky profs.

[flaming_mo]

From my recollection it is just required of the profs to offer a syllabus with the grading scale and class attendence and plagiarism policies, and that's about it. Otherwise, according to the undergraduate catalog - "Students are responsible for completing the academic requirements of each class as defined by the instructor and as set forth in any class syllabus."

Pretty wide open for faculty to do pretty much whatever they feel like, no? All of the onus is on the student, but little-to-none against the instructor, at least depending on the department. I have other stories of laisezz-faire administration that would just drive you nuts as an instructor. There appears to be very little true management or leadership at the university right now.