They have strict policies that go across many sections

And one of those policies should be "Breathing is more important than rules." I mean, COME ON!!!

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She's actually the fifth student (out of 28) to email asking for a higher grade.

Squeaky wheel, and all that. At BU I realized I was at a disadvantage because I didn't do things like that, and I thought the rules in the syllabus were the last word. Turned out "NO INCOMPLETES" really meant "no incompletes unless you come and ask me and have a good reason*." So I'd say Hil's students will probably do pretty well in life... while thoroughly annoying everyone around them.

And linking this to vw's post, I can see why they have that policy, but I canNOT see why the professor wouldn't have exercised his prerogative to make exceptions for actual emergencies.

(* Which makes sense. They have the rule so that they can point at it if they don't think the reason's good enough, but students with real need can have their case considered. I myself got one incomplete and one waiver of an attendance policy when I was there -- once I learned to ask for them.)

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I could see needing a note from your doctor saying it really was an emergency and you needed to be seen, but I can't see the total inflexibility when it comes to health issues.

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I could see needing a note from your doctor saying it really was an emergency and you needed to be seen, but I can't see the total inflexibility when it comes to health issues.

Seriously. How happy will the school be if you die during the exam because you can't breathe?

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At BU I realized I was at a disadvantage because I didn't do things like that, and I thought the rules in the syllabus were the last word.

This has continually bit me in the ass in life. I just assume rules are rules and the person wouldn't have instituted the rule unless they meant to enforce it. Living with my husband (who has no regard for rules what. so. ever.) has really helped me learn when I can break a rule and get away with it (no!)

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Oh, and vw, I hope you are able to keep things under control, focus on your test, and then deal with the medical stuff later. Not that you should have to do it that way, but I hope it works out.

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Yeah, with something like a writing class or a business class or something, I could see some utility in attempting to argue (*argue*, not *pester*) for a better grade, by making a case for why your performance on specific tasks was better than the teacher graded them.

Arguing your grade in my English class is a surefire way to make me want to lower it. Asking why you got the grade, no worries. I'm happy to review. But I grade on a set rubric and am very consistent. This idea that English grades are completely nebulous makes me growly. (I mean, I get why people think they are and that they may have had bad experiences with some teachers, but its not nearly as subjective as everyone seems to think.)

vw, I get that it's a freshmen course and that the prof is worried about fake excuses, but getting a note from the ER? I'm sorry, but that's a lawsuit waiting to happen. Even if you make it through the exam all right, you have grounds to file against the school for denying you emergency health care. IOW, grr. And hang in there.

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Timelies!! Ok - I'm not gonna get too excited, but I got a call from one of my professional references that the woman from the interview a couple of weeks ago called him asking for a reference. He's calling her back with glowing reviews of me.

Good sign, yes?

But I'm not gonna get too excited.

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But I grade on a set rubric

Oh yes, I much preferred the courses that had rubrics as part of the syllabus's. I've had too many English type classes where I got a bad grade and had no idea why.

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Oh, I think that's a good sign.

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