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#31
Teaching / Re: Favorite student emails
Last post by AmLitHist - March 27, 2024, 02:15:32 PM

Quote from: the_geneticist on March 27, 2024, 01:20:44 PM*The students want to know if we will be lowering the threshold for what counts as a A- vs B+.  Plus, I fundamentally disagree with the idea that grades should follow a normal bellcurve.  Grades are earned individually & everyone has the opportunity to earn all the points in my classes.

^ This, x 1,000.
#32
The State of Higher Ed / Re: Colleges in Dire Financial...
Last post by apl68 - March 27, 2024, 02:10:20 PM
Quote from: spork on March 27, 2024, 01:25:25 PM
Quote from: apl68 on March 27, 2024, 12:43:24 PM
Quote from: spork on March 27, 2024, 05:11:36 AMBluffton University will "merge" with University of Findlay.

I saw a news story where Bluffton's administration swore it had nothing to do with financial problems, but was about "getting ahead of the demographic cliff."  So perhaps more a matter of trying to head off fiscal trouble that they can see coming as a result of continuing projected declines in the number of students to recruit from.  It would suggest more foresight than many troubled schools have shown in recent years.

Bluffton doesn't have enough students to pay its bills. It was running deficits before it started getting pandemic aid, which has stopped.

Okay, did not see that context in any of the articles I skimmed in my brief check of the recent Bluffton news.  Guess they're being more reactive than proactive, then.
#33
General Discussion / Re: placeholder
Last post by apl68 - March 27, 2024, 02:06:09 PM
I just realized that I've made the ghastly error of posting my vent here instead of on the venting thread!

I do apologize.  My earache must have made me even more out of it than I realized this morning.

Feeling better now.  These aches sometimes clear up as unexpectedly as they came.  Previous doctor visits have gotten me ear cleanings, a prescription that didn't seem to help much, and a trip to the dentist for an expensive mouth guard to keep me from grinding my teeth at night. Which was unpleasant and failed to fix the problem, so I gave up on it. 

The only thing that seems to help much is wearing a cap over my ears, and some time outside.  I felt better after running payroll-related errands outside late this morning.  Even though it was actually chilly and breezy out. 
#34
General Discussion / Re: RIP: To remember those los...
Last post by AmLitHist - March 27, 2024, 01:44:00 PM
Colleague's father, who also taught here for 40+ years, passed last week. It was a blessing, as he'd had multiple serious health problems in recent years, but it's never easy. I enjoyed talking with him in the few years our tenure overlapped, and his daughter is one of my few friends, and one of the very few people at work that I trust. His wife also worked as an adjunct and tutor in my dept. for many years.
#35
General Discussion / Re: The Venting Thread
Last post by AmLitHist - March 27, 2024, 01:39:46 PM
Quote from: bio-nonymous on March 26, 2024, 07:23:14 AMSTUDENTS, I AM NOT YOUR PERSONAL IT SUPPORT GUY!!!!! Figure it out, go online, call actual IT, whatever! It is not my job to figure out your individual technology issues...
Nor is it my job to teach you how to use Canvas! You're automatically enrolled in the "Learning Online at [college]" class, and you've got more "help" links available than you can shake a stick at. Figure it out.
#36
The State of Higher Ed / Re: Colleges in Dire Financial...
Last post by spork - March 27, 2024, 01:25:25 PM
Quote from: apl68 on March 27, 2024, 12:43:24 PM
Quote from: spork on March 27, 2024, 05:11:36 AMBluffton University will "merge" with University of Findlay.

I saw a news story where Bluffton's administration swore it had nothing to do with financial problems, but was about "getting ahead of the demographic cliff."  So perhaps more a matter of trying to head off fiscal trouble that they can see coming as a result of continuing projected declines in the number of students to recruit from.  It would suggest more foresight than many troubled schools have shown in recent years.

Bluffton doesn't have enough students to pay its bills. It was running deficits before it started getting pandemic aid, which has stopped.
#37
Teaching / Re: Favorite student emails
Last post by the_geneticist - March 27, 2024, 01:20:44 PM
Quote from: kaysixteen on March 15, 2024, 08:49:00 PMOk.   Will you perhaps however consider replying to Stu, telling him about the inappropriateness of his request?

I wrote back to say that the grade cut-offs were in the syllabus. It was an honest question & deserves an answer.  It's not inappropriate to ask if I would be doing a curve* (which students really don't understand), it's inappropriate to demand that I do so.


*The students want to know if we will be lowering the threshold for what counts as a A- vs B+.  Plus, I fundamentally disagree with the idea that grades should follow a normal bellcurve.  Grades are earned individually & everyone has the opportunity to earn all the points in my classes.
#38
General Discussion / Re: placeholder
Last post by fleabite - March 27, 2024, 01:14:00 PM
Quote from: apl68 on March 27, 2024, 06:14:11 AMMy ears have been hurting off and on for two days now.  At the moment my right ear aches so much I can hardly concentrate on what I'm trying to do.

Sorry to hear that. Have you seen a doctor? Strep throat can cause a nasty earache.
#39
The State of Higher Ed / Re: Colleges in Dire Financial...
Last post by apl68 - March 27, 2024, 12:43:24 PM
Quote from: spork on March 27, 2024, 05:11:36 AMBluffton University will "merge" with University of Findlay.

I saw a news story where Bluffton's administration swore it had nothing to do with financial problems, but was about "getting ahead of the demographic cliff."  So perhaps more a matter of trying to head off fiscal trouble that they can see coming as a result of continuing projected declines in the number of students to recruit from.  It would suggest more foresight than many troubled schools have shown in recent years.