Anyone have advice for dealing with a hostile professor?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

Here's the situation--

My fiancee is currently enrolled in a graduate program and is taking a course this semester on diversity education. As you might imagine, the class is predominantly on issues of race, and those are never easy topics to discuss openly. Despite this, the professor pledged a "safe environment".

In the course of discussion, my SO, a former teacher in an urban school, was an active participant in the discussion, and all was fine for the first couple of weeks. Then, in one class, they were discussing the topic of teaching minority students, and my SO, a white female, discussed her experiences and how she often had difficulties in being able to reach and relate to black male students. Working in the policy end of education myself, I know for a fact that this is not exactly a unique problem. The professor got hostile in interrupting her remarks, stating loudly to the class that some people were just "not getting it" and that they have a long way to go.

That was particularly unprofessional, but it unfortunately did not end there. A week later, he blamed my SO for not participating in a group project, which is completely off because it was well stated by the two other group members that she did, in fact, meet with and heartily contribute to the project, while another of the two group members did not attend the scheduled meeting. Somehow, this was my SO's fault, although it was never really explained why.

My SO then decided she needed to meet with him to discuss the obvious problems that were present, and the professor told her that he didn't think she was going to pass the course - despite the fact that she had attended every class and had absolutely no work graded at that point. In fact, the work she turned in had gone completely unmarked in her file, except to note that it was there on time, indicating the professor had not even read her papers yet. Of course, this brought my SO to tears, but they continued to talk, and the issues seemed to get somewhat resolved.

Realizing this was growing into a much larger problem, she met with her adviser to discuss the issue. The adviser said she should try to work with him a little more, and if further problems arose, then they would take action. She talked with another professor within the department with whom she had a personal friendship, and she told my SO that the professor in question has admitted publicly having problems with white women in the past (professor in question is a black male). My SO decided to be a little more low-profile in the class, while still making it a point to participate in discussions, so as not to give a reason to fail for that reason.

Last night, she finally got her first graded paper back from the professor - it was graded a C, which while not good, is far from failing, so that kind of throws that whole theory about her not being able to pass out the window. My SO had enrolled in a racial awareness class on white privilege being offered by our Unitarian Church as an extra credit assignment. She emailed the professor to let him know what she was doing and asked if she could discuss her papers so that she can do better on future assignments.

Today, he sent out an email to the entire saying that there was a situation that "threatened the safety of everyone in the class" and that he was going to handle the matter. Of course, he turned out to be referring to my fiancee, which is completely asinine - I couldn't imagine a more non-threatening person. He emailed her directly in response to my SO's email about extra credit and her papers saying that he is concerned for his safety and the safety of the class, saying her behavior is threatening and scary. He also stated that her work did not reflect the openness and knowledge of the material he expected (which also doesn't really jive with the fact that she got a C). He told her to withdraw from the class or work out an arrangement where she is not in attendance.

Needless to say, my fiancee is quite upset (understatement of the century) and I am absolutely furious. It is absolutely ridiculous to suggest that my SO is anywhere near a threat to ANYONE'S safety, and while she may be a bit naive sometimes about race issues (as most white people, myself included, are), she is NOWHERE near a racist.

Obviously, her first course of action is to talk to her adviser, and I'm glad she's already registered these issues with her to have it on record. I think she should get in touch with the Dean ASAP, and I'm also recommending running the issue by a lawyer.

I'm hoping someone else has some advice, because this situation is absolute lunacy.

[Drum]

1. Kill 'em with kindness...

and

MEANWHILE, keep a thumbnail list of witnesses of every encounter (NO one-on-one communications) and be prepared to ultimately inform their supervisors of the situation.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. Absolutely no one-on-one encounters.

Yeah, I don't think there will be any meetings without an adviser or another university official present.

This whole thing is absolutely mind-blowing to me. :argh:

[Maddy McCall]

2. She needs to go to the Dean of Academic Affairs.

She can go to the dean of her college, too, but she certainly needs to go to the Dean of Academic Affairs.

Is this class required for her to graduate?

BTW, a C is damning in any graduate program. You go on probation with a B. A C can get you kicked out of the program. I'm sure that her professor knows this.

It is absolutely mandatory that she consults the Dean of Academic Affairs NOW.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

5. The class itself is not required, however...

Were she to drop it, it would have severe economic problems stemming from her financial aid situation. All of her previous student loans would be active again and she'd have to repay her current one immediately. We can't really financially take that kind of burden on, but I'm thinking we may have to. It's better than the alternative.

[Maddy McCall]

10. You do NOT want to go to a lawyer if she's going to stay enrolled there.

No matter how hostile this professor may be, a student who files a lawsuit against a university is blackballed immediately.

Her problems won't just be with one professor, if she decides to file a lawsuit.

Is there any way that she can talk to her advisor again, drop the class with the professor with whom she's having the problems, and see if her advisor or another professor will allow her to do 3 hours of independent study?

That will save her financial aid.

Going to the Dean of Academic Affairs and the Provost would be the best course of action. Going to a lawyer will be self-sabotaging.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

14. Thanks for the advice.

Her dad's a lawyer, so I don't think just talking to him would be a problem, so long as they don't take action unless it's the absolute last straw. I do think it'd be important to make sure that we're aware of all the legal implications of the issue. Better safe than sorry.

[ThomCat]

7. Agreed.

Even if we choose to be sceptical because we're only hearing one side, it still sounds like the Dean of Academic Affairs should be involved.

Professors have a huge amount of power and discression, and they use it. That's unfortunately a huge part of Graduate School.

[Maddy McCall]

13. Yep.

No graduate student emerges unscathed. All have been through situations that were "unfair." The hoops are there for a purpose...because the academic world is VERY political and brutal at times.

And you are right...I don't know the other side of the story and due skepticism is required...but if she feels so strongly, wrong or right, she needs to handle it out of the department with the Dean of Academic Affairs of the provost...or even the Dean of the Graduate College.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. Well, a C in graduate school is usually a failing grade.

don't know what else to say, as I'm not getting the other side of the story.

She's doing the right think by talking to the adviser, and he's going to be in the best position to give advice on taking it up to the chair of the department, then the Dean and so on.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

9. Well, one C on a paper worth 5% of her grade isn't damning.

It's not like she got a zero and would have no chance to possibly raise her score before the semester's end. Also, for her program, she has to maintain an overall GPA of 3.0, so even if she got a C for the class, she wouldn't be finished anyway.

But I know what you're saying, and I'm sure that ran through the prof's mind.

[Midlodemocrat]

6. She needs to get in touch with the Dean. You are right about that.

If what you are saying is the truth, and not just 'her version', you know what I mean and I mean no disrespect, he is bullying her and preventing her from participating and that would be against the schools bylaws, or whatever rules they adhere to.

I taught college many years back, and it isn't unusual for a student, (even a graduate level student) to make stuff up about a professor, so she needs some back up for this. She needs ALL of her documentation, as well as any witnesses to actual events.

Good luck. I can totally empathizes with you. There are certain people in education who have no business being there.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

11. No offense taken

I realize that I too am only getting one side of the story, but I do know my fiancee. I also know that any official would realize he/she is only getting one side of the story as well, but whereas the course still has over 85% of the grade still pending, it'd be tough to figure that she'd make something up to get out of a bad grade when there isn't even much of a bad grade there yet.

[Midlodemocrat]

16. Unfortunately, it has been my experience that a professor who acts

so unprofessionally won't leave any loose ends lying about.

I've been in situations with individuals with doctorates who actually MADE STUFF UP to bolster their case.

Maddy's advice about the lawyer is correct. If she plans to continue attending that particular school, don't involve a lawyer.

Petty isn't it?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

17. Believe me, I know how shitty they can be.

I work with them professionally on a regular basis as my clients, and even though I've never personally had a problem with one of them, I've seen how they work first hand.

[mainegreen]

8. Go to the Dean, with her lawyer in tow.

That professor committed libel, is a racist, and should be fired based on his actions.

But then, I'm a bit of a reactionary.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

19. I'd agree with the libel and should be fired part.

Solely on the email he sent out to the class, in my opinion, that much is clear.

I won't say he's a racist, because quite frankly, I'm not a fly on the wall and don't know the full story, though I am of course more than willing to believe my SO.

[Dora]

12. Contact the department chair and the Dean of the school immediately.

Your wife should take her complaints and any evidence or documentation she's kept to the Chair of the department in question, and also to the Dean of the College. If personal appointments with a student won't be granted (I've been there), then written correspondence detailing the problem should be sent ASAP.

Also, her school should have an Ombudsman there to act as a netural party when complaints like this arise. A meeting with that person would be well-advised.

She might also want to consider a visit to the campus Diversity or Equal Opportunity office. It sounds like this instructor is creating a hostile environment, especially if he's responding to her personal e-mail with a broad-brush response to the entire class with claims of harassment. Your spouse would not be out of line to consult a lawyer.

Document. Document. Document.

Do not give up. Bad teachers are everywhere.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

20. That's a good idea on seeing the ombudsman

I don't know if her school has one, but I would think so. Seeing the diversity office, which the school no-doubt has, is also probably a good idea, though i'm not really sure how I would begin to approach them on the issue.

Thank you very much.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

15. The professor obviously has ISSUES (about something, I'm not sure what), but

as a former academic, I say that his behavior is completely out of bounds, especially bad-mouthing one student to the rest of the class.

Scary? A deranged person charging into a classroom with a gun or knife, or making death threats, is scary. A student expressing opinions that a professor disagrees with is not.

Go first to the professor's department chair, and if you get no satisfaction, go the academic dean. Be sure to have documents in hand.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

21. Even without knowing the full story,

as I, of course, don't know exactly what has been said or done in class, I don't think there's a single reasonable justification for sending out such a ridiculous email to her entire class. If the problem was that bad, the issue should have gone through the proper channels privately.

[Burma Jones]

18. You could always call Bill O'Reilly

Seriously though, she should take this up with Admins. Grad Schools are more and more about pleasing Students, and they will not want this sort of behavior from the Professor made very public. If push comes to shove, she could demand to know what standards are expected to achieve a particular grade, there's some term for this, I do not recall it right now though, but Academic Programs are supposed to post standards to deal with just this sort of situation.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

22. I'm sure he'd be all over something like this, even without any facts.

Or should I say, especially without any facts.

I'm certain neither myself, nor my SO, would ever want to be party to something like that, however.

I agree she needs to talk to the university admins about this. One way or another, these actions are unconscionable.

[Evoman]

23. I'm in grad school and I know other grad students who suffered through this kind of bullshit.

Unfortunately, grad students are the most powerless group in any university and most of the academic administration could give a shit about any problems.

My advice? Your fiancee should keep her head low, not email the prof EVER, and try to get out alive. Yeah, I know that shitty advice, but in many ways its the best I can offer. Going to the authorities will only cause your fiancee to be pegged as a "trouble maker" and make her life harder. Think of grad school as a prison, with semi-nice guards lol.

If she can, she should drop the class. Otherwise, she should tell the professor exactly what he wants to hear on her next essay.

It sucks, but after she gets her degree, she can go back and leave a bag of flaming poo on his doorstep.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

24. I think she should drop the class too, but

it'll have big time financial implications. If she drops it, she won't be considered a full-time student and will have to repay her loans, which whereas she's not working full-time, that'd be a big problem.

[ellisonz]

25. I hate the "I'm not sure you're going to pass the class" threat.

So egotistical, and pretty much terroristic.

D is for Degree.

[jobycom]

26. The advice so far is mostly good

I wouldn't suggest contacting a lawyer. It will do no good and just alienate her further, perhaps from the rest of the faculty, as well. Keeping her advisor informed, and contacting the ombudsman, are good ideas. Another approach she should take is to discuss this with her other professors and advisors. Tell them exactly what she remembers saying at each stage of the game, and listen to their opinions. It could be that she underestimates or misremembers what she said. It could be that other professors would have the same interpretation as the one she is having trouble with. It could be that she underestimates the impact of what she said. Or that she meant one thing but came across another way. Or it could be that this professor is completely the problem. Finding out the impressions of other professors directly from them might help her understand the issue, and if the issue is completely the professor's fault, it will help get the others on her side.

If I were her I would drop out of the course and never look back. I'm not completely convinced that her story is the full one (nor that it isn't), but either way, if she's only having trouble with this one professor, and he is not required for her degree, she should drop him. A failing grade in grad school (and a C is failing, not just borderline failing) combined with a negative or even hostile review in her file, will stick with her for a long time, if it does not outright kill her chance of getting her degree. It will be on record when she applies for a job--not just the grade, but the professor's written opinion of her. If he labels her a racist, it could hurt her career. And fighting it out, no matter who is right, isn't going to accomplish anything except for distraction from the rest of her studies.

I have to say this, though, and I'm sure you've considered it. I've rarely seen a dispute between a professor and a student where the student was blameless, although I've heard many students tell it that way. Many tell stories just like the one you've told. I can think of a specific case where another student thought a professor hated him because the professor was Muslim and the student was Christian. Everyone around the situation, from other students to other professors, thought the student was wrong. He had an attitude that he was right, and he couldn't be taught, and his attitude affected everything he wrote or said for the class. To this day he probably thinks he failed because the professor was out to screw him. Whenever he complained, we all nodded and shrugged and said things like "Yeah, what's up with that?" which he took to mean we agreed with him. The couple of times we tried to explain it to him, he just couldn't get it. So we gave up.

My point is your SO may be missing something the professor wants her to learn, and the professor may feel she can't go further unless she learns it. If that's not the case, it is such a common scenario that the rest of the faculty and students might assume it's the case. That's why she needs to sit down with her advisor and other professors, and make it clear she wants the brutal truth. If she's wrong, she needs to learn it. If she's right, the other professors need to see her side, not just hear her defense. If that makes any sense.

Good luck on it. Grad school is stressful enough without feuding with professors.

[GaYellowDawg]

27. A number of things.

1. Document EVERYTHING. Keep a copy of the emails.

2. Examine the wording of the email carefully. He said that there was a situation that threatened the class. Did he say how? He's obligated to give specific reasons with documentation for kicking your SO out of class. I think he's probably significantly overreached himself with the email to the entire class calling your SO a threat. Have your SO take a copy of that email into her advisor. Since she was already promised help, they might very well take some appropriate action.

3. The next step up from her advisor is the graduate student coordinator. If your SO can't get results there, then going to the dean probably isn't going to help, as most deans are quite reluctant to interfere in departmental matters. Go to #4.

4. There is probably a student affairs office on campus that handles student/teacher issues. An SA office will have some sort of dispute mediation protocol. This is, however, is a large-stakes kind of move as what they decide is FINAL, and if your SO doesn't like the reults it won't matter a bit.

Also:

Do NOT bring up the "having problems with white women in the past" thing at ANY level. It will only serve to alienate the prof who is your SO's friend and it absolutely will do no good.

Do NOT threaten legal action. Although this might very well be actionable, and one of the conditions from the university legal staff might be that there are to be no retributions, there are a million different ways that a faculty can give a grad student hell and hinder his/her progress towards a degree.