Not really. However, the professor I went to has been at this university 40 years longer than the professor teaching the class. He is also an "expert" in the field. So if he was working for someone it might even be this other professor or the chair.
But in a class, the professor is the beginning and end to any problem. (unless it is really unreasonable). Yes a student can go to a dean with a problem, but the professor is still the boss of his own class.
You did the right thing. The professor seems like a pompous jackass to assume that his exam is unalterably correct. Especially since A) you were only doing what he asked, and B) you were aided by a colleague who knows just as much as him in making the corrections. The fact that his ego is so threatened by his TA pointing out his mistakes shows a lot about his (lack of) character. The fact that you had the guts to point out his mistakes shows a lot about your (strong and moral) character.
Actually the professor is known to be laid back, have great character, and very humble. However, there is rumor that he tends to over-react at times. Maybe this is just one of those times. But, I am not sure if it was his ego that was threatened or that I gave an exam (different from his) and he had no control over it. The classroom is his but he believes the test was not.
The professor who helped me knew exactly what was going on.
But it was still my fault. Although I did have help with making the corrections, it was my choice and responsibilty to those corrections. The fact that I gave an exam with corrections (not of the professor of the class) was my responsibilty not the other professors.
Maybe I missed the point. The point is he was out of town, out of state, actually out of country all week. He wrote the exam before he left and gave me instruction to administer the test on Wednesday.
So it was my choice on what exam to give, because he wasn't here to make a decision. I chose to give the exam with my corrections.
I think you did the right thing, and I agree you were in a lose lose situation, you could have just given the class the information during the exam without explaining to the prof what you did, but that seems more underhanded. if the prof gives you too hard of a time about it, see if the other prof that helped you correct it will stand up for you, he also thought the exam was confusing, so it's not just your opinion vs the prof
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But in a class, the professor is the beginning and end to any problem. (unless it is really unreasonable). Yes a student can go to a dean with a problem, but the professor is still the boss of his own class.
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and yeah you did a good thing, standing up for undergrads is important. i'm not surprised the prof got all pissy, you showed him he wrote a bad exam
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Did the professor who helped you alter the exam to make it possible realize the purpose of your asking him for info?
If so, then I'd say you're not at fault for anything.
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But it was still my fault. Although I did have help with making the corrections, it was my choice and responsibilty to those corrections. The fact that I gave an exam with corrections (not of the professor of the class) was my responsibilty not the other professors.
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So it was my choice on what exam to give, because he wasn't here to make a decision. I chose to give the exam with my corrections.
And to say he got pissy is an understatment.
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