It occurs to me that the answer to this is philosophical. Is education
the "end all and be all" or is it a means to an end. I opt for the
latter even though it doesn't consider well, those who engage in
learning for the love of learning. 

Bob Lamb  ...deep in the heart of Texas

-----Original Message-----
From: Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB) Talk
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Laura Hartman
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2006 6:00 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: student emails to profs. - "for business reasons?"

One of the challenging issues for me is the conflicts that arise between
coming to class and job interviews. At several of the schools where I
have taught, profs are advised to be somewhat flexible with seniors who
"have no choice" but to miss class for job interviews. Yes, it is
(unfortunately?) much of the reason they're there in the first place but
it has been troubling to me. My response is usually (1) everyone has
choices, and (2) they can absolutely miss class but it will affect
participation score. 

But I'm left not feeling completely comfortable with that result, either
. . .



Laura P. Hartman
Assoc. Vice President, Academic Affairs
Professor of Business Ethics
DePaul University, 1 E. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
Ph: 312/362-6569, Fax: 312/362-6822
Cell: 312/493-9929

-----Original Message-----
From: Lee Reed <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 19:36:16
To:[log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: student emails to profs.

About excuses for missing class . . . several years ago I visited for a
semester at one of our more prestigious schools.
Toward the end of the semester, a student  I didn't recognize came to my
office, stated that she hadn't taken the midterm exam--and in fact
hadn't come to class at all--but now wished to take a midterm exam,
followed shortly by the final. I told her I'd have to talk with the
department head, which I did. To my slight surprise, instead of saying
"flunk her," he responded to the situation by observing that this
student's parents were paying $40,000 a year for her schooling, and I
should give her a makeup and final.

I did give her the exams (and she escaped with a "D" as I remember), but
I'll never forget how she replied when I asked her why she hadn't come
to class at all. Now, I've had similar situations arise at Georgia, but
the explainations are so pedestrian, involving relationship problems,
family imbroglios, sickness, etc. When I asked this Ivy League student
why she hadn't come to class at all, she looked me in the eye
unflinchingly and replied, "Professor Reed, my psychiatrist says I have
movivational disfunction syndrome."
Oh, I thought, you're lazy! And that's the best excuse for missing class
I've ever heard.