Advice--a clinical professor retaliated against me Forum

[collegewriter]

.

[09042014]

Why would you ever complain about a professor when they are grading you?

[zugzwanger]

at this point you really have nothing to lose so yeah compile what you have and try I mean the only thing you are going to lose is time if it doesn't work out. Unfortunate situation...

[DELG]

Some of the things she has said (not in writing) could impact the schools' accreditation--racist comments and saying how she likes some students better.

Wat

[collegewriter]

Some of the things she has said (not in writing) could impact the schools' accreditation--racist comments and saying how she likes some students better.

Wat

Basically if you have professors who say racist stuff and the ABA finds out the school can get in a lot of trouble.

[DELG]

Some of the things she has said (not in writing) could impact the schools' accreditation--racist comments and saying how she likes some students better.

Wat

Basically if you have professors who say racist stuff and the ABA finds out the school can get in a lot of trouble.

Source?

[collegewriter]

Some of the things she has said (not in writing) could impact the schools' accreditation--racist comments and saying how she likes some students better.

Wat

Basically if you have professors who say racist stuff and the ABA finds out the school can get in a lot of trouble.

Source?

ABA complaint procedures and my school's website. Does it really matter? This seems off the point.

[bjsesq]

Talking shit about a prof whose class you are currently in is remarkably stupid.

[kalvano]

Long story short, I had a clinical professor whom I had complained about for being insulting and harsh to the students. She was in general really awful to all of us. Around grade time she sent me an email chewing me out over an assignment she didn't like and threatening to lower my grade. Obviously I reported her since this is not ok for a professor to do. Apparently no action was taken and I got the lowest grade I've gotten in law school and it has made me go from hireable to unhireable at my school. The students I've spoken to all say I should go to the school, even though appealing grades is not done. However, everyone agrees that she was retaliating against me and that I should say something (i.e. No way I could have gotten that grade given that I came in over breaks, worked more than the minimum hours, came to all the classes, etc.)

Anyone go through a similar situation? Who should I speak to? Should I compile all of her offensive communications to me, get statements from the other clinical students, or have some other sort of support? Some of the things she has said (not in writing) could impact the schools' accreditation--racist comments and saying how she likes some students better.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

So she lowered your grade because you didn't perform well on an assignment?

[kalvano]

Talking shit about a prof whose class you are currently in is remarkably stupid.

We had a girl who insulted our LRW professor in class, during class.

[mountaintime]

Welcome to the real world. You should have kept your mouth shut. I know it sucks, but that's just the way it is. Lesson learned... I hope. Btw, your school cares much more about the professor than it cares about you. Don't forget that.

[collegewriter]

I repeat, advice only. No comments other than that necessary, especially since the entire situation is not explained here.

[DELG]

if part of your argument is that the prof is threatening the school's accreditation you might want to verify that a racist comment actually does

[bjsesq]

I repeat, advice only. No comments other than that necessary, especially since the entire situation is not explained here.

I know this bitch who made a thread and thought she could limit my input to what she wanted.

(Now pretend you are grading my responses)

[DELG]

Oh, advice

Take this lesson to heart. You're not a customer as a student. Also not as an employee. Keep your head down moving forward.

[collegewriter]

So she lowered your grade because you didn't perform well on an assignment?

This was an entire year clinic so one assignment is inconsequential. And no she lowered my grade because I emailed her a response she didn't like after she accused me of plagiarizing my work. She has a history of being vindictive and several students have emails to prove it. In any case, the assignment was high quality but unfinished because she told me not to work on it anymore because we wanted to close the case. She did not appreciate being reminded of that.

Can I get less snark from people and more help? I did the best I could in a really awful situation.

[collegewriter]

Just going to delete this since once again the posters on TLS have proved to be trolls. Would've been nice to see other law students looking out for each other.

[bjsesq]

Long story short, I had a clinical professor whom I had complained about for being insulting and harsh to the students. She was in general really awful to all of us. Around grade time she sent me an email chewing me out over an assignment she didn't like and threatening to lower my grade. Obviously I reported her since this is not ok for a professor to do. Apparently no action was taken and I got the lowest grade I've gotten in law school and it has made me go from hireable to unhireable at my school. The students I've spoken to all say I should go to the school, even though appealing grades is not done. However, everyone agrees that she was retaliating against me and that I should say something (i.e. No way I could have gotten that grade given that I came in over breaks, worked more than the minimum hours, came to all the classes, etc.)

Anyone go through a similar situation? Who should I speak to? Should I compile all of her offensive communications to me, get statements from the other clinical students, or have some other sort of support? Some of the things she has said (not in writing) could impact the schools' accreditation--racist comments and saying how she likes some students better.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

So people can see that you aren't some boohoo victim, but someone who needs to learn some tact.

This was an entire year clinic so one assignment is inconsequential. And no she lowered my grade because I emailed her a response she didn't like after she accused me of plagiarizing my work. She has a history of being vindictive and several students have emails to prove it. In any case, the assignment was high quality but unfinished because she told me not to work on it anymore because we wanted to close the case. She did not appreciate being reminded of that.

Can I get less snark from people and more help? I did the best I could in a really awful situation.

[09042014]

Long story short, I had a clinical professor whom I had complained about for being insulting and harsh to the students. She was in general really awful to all of us. Around grade time she sent me an email chewing me out over an assignment she didn't like and threatening to lower my grade. Obviously I reported her since this is not ok for a professor to do. Apparently no action was taken and I got the lowest grade I've gotten in law school and it has made me go from hireable to unhireable at my school. The students I've spoken to all say I should go to the school, even though appealing grades is not done. However, everyone agrees that she was retaliating against me and that I should say something (i.e. No way I could have gotten that grade given that I came in over breaks, worked more than the minimum hours, came to all the classes, etc.)

Anyone go through a similar situation? Who should I speak to? Should I compile all of her offensive communications to me, get statements from the other clinical students, or have some other sort of support? Some of the things she has said (not in writing) could impact the schools' accreditation--racist comments and saying how she likes some students better.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

qfp

[Teoeo]

At this point you have nothing to lose. I would contact the school and do whatever I could to get the grade changed. Just make sure you are annoying persistent but polite.

[jbagelboy]

This is why student evaluations are anonymous - so that you can voice legitimate complaints/concerns without any negative impact on your academic career.

[09042014]

If you are black you actually have a good shot if you make a big stink about it.

[raininthedesert]

Your attitude seems to validate the professor's perspective...and you somehow left out the "plagiarism" accusation in your initial request for help.

Perhaps you should look into the mirror for the right answer?

P.S. In all sincerity, you are stuck grade wise. Professors have enormous latitude when it comes to grading and even if the administration stepped in to review your work -- and if they do so it would have to be with a very critical eye -- they would likely not find the quality of your work deserving of a bump. The real issue is NOT your grade but whether you care enough to make waves in an effort to make sure she isn't teaching and potentially harming future students.

[encore1101]

You're essentially accusing the professor of two things: 1) your grade was made out of vindictiveness and not merit; and 2) the professor is unfit to be teaching at your school.

Assuming everything you said is true and demonstrable, I think you can get the professor reprimanded or even dismissed, but I don't know if you can get your grade changed. Like an earlier poster said, professors normally have wide latitude in grading.

If you really want to go forward with this, and if you earnestly feel that you're in the right, you should, you need to compile more than just "She's a bad professor, and so the grade I got from her is suspect." Even unprofessional professors can be accurate graders. Seeing as how you've already asked around, you should ask your other classmates who've received negative e-mails or comments from her what grade they received in the class, and whether their performance justified that grade.



Some other random thoughts:
"No way I could have gotten that grade given that I came in over breaks, worked more than the minimum hours, came to all the classes, etc No, its still possible that you worked extra hard but still received a turd grade. Unless the grade is determined by attendance or hours worked, then those don't actually speak to the quality of your work.
"However, everyone agrees that she was retaliating against me and that I should say something." -- Means nothing, really. Students could just be being sympathetic.
"Around grade time she sent me an email chewing me out over an assignment she didn't like and threatening to lower my grade. Obviously I reported her since this is not ok for a professor to do. " -- Why is this not okay to do? The e-mail? The chewing out? The threatening? I don't see anything wrong with any of that.

[heymom]

I don't know how much discretion law professors have in comparison to undergrad, but I am assuming it is comparable if not more. If so, then I think you may be SOL. I had a prof. during my undergrad that counted off points of my final grade/exam, which I was totally not expecting solely b/c I did not participate as much as other students even though participation was not calculated in the final grade. Then when I approached him about it he literally replied in an e-mail, "I have discretion to calculate final grades as necessary. I have adjusted grades in the past in similar situations, but I choose not do so in this situation." Took it up with the Dept. Head and Assoc. Dean and I was stuck.

Although what they did was highly unprofessional, I just want to tell you that sometimes we have to move on as hard as it is to hear. I spent literally a few months worrying about the grade and trying to appeal it and if I had known the outcome would have been what it was, I would have been able to move on faster. Hope you find some solution and/or solace in your situation.