Discrimination, Extensions and Core Classes
by Dr. Anahid Kassabian
published for U-WIRE* March 19, 2001

*U-Wire member papers have full permission to reprint all or part of this column. Enjoy!

My professor totally favors the guys in the class, and never seems to give ANY girl an A. He doesn't even show girls much respect: he seems to go out of his way to make us look bad by calling on us to answer impossible questions and berating us when we get them wrong. I don't want to make a big stink or complain to the dean (besides, he's tenured, so that wouldn't do anything). And I don't want to kill my grade by calling him on it. Is there anything I can do?

Sadly, there's probably not much you can do that will change anything. But there are a few strategies worth trying, just in case:

• Go to meet with him in office hours. Don't mention your observations about gender. Just tell him you're concerned about your grade, and that you hope he can give you some advice about how to improve. Then do whatever he says (assuming it isn't illegal or unethical).

• Talk to fellow students. Ask their advice. Students usually know what it takes to get a good grade from a professor.
• Meet with a senior female faculty member in the department who you trust. Choose someone who self-identifies as a feminist, who is tenured and who you know reasonably well. Present your observations to her clearly and without anger (as much as you can). She probably won't be able to do anything directly, but she may be able to give you some advice about how to succeed with this particular faculty member. And she may be able and willing to informally mention your observations to a dean or someone else who may be able to do something for you.
• Make an appointment with the university ombudsperson or academic dean. Tell the person you want to know how to handle the situation without filing a formal complaint. This can serve a couple of purposes: First of all, you may get sound advice. Secondly, you may find out there is already a file or an open complaint on this professor's behavior. In that case, you may want to participate in it, and it might help your case if you ultimately want to appeal your grade.

In most cases, however, there's no real protection against this kind of discrimination. The best you can do is stay tapped into student circuits of information and hope that this guides you away from ugly situations like this.

And ultimately, be of good cheer. Everyone from employers to grad-school admissions counselors knows how to read a transcript. If you usually get B+'s in your major and you get a C in one class, people will know something was wrong with the class.

Is there any way to ask for an extension without seeming like you're making excuses or just a total flake?

You know, I like to think I know when someone's making excuses or slacking. (Maybe I don't, but I like to think so.) My judgements are based on instinct, but I think there are two general factors that influence how I think about extensions.

First of all, a student's record in the class makes an enormous difference. If you've been attending regularly and doing the work, you'll probably get the benefit of the doubt. Second, I'm often influenced by a student's non-verbal communication — tone of voice, facial expression, body language, etc.

Unfortunately, you're not in control of either of these factors at the moment you want to ask for an extension. But if you are an honest, hard-working student who genuinely needs an extension, they'll work in your favor. And don't forget, if you can offer documentation of illness or family emergency, that helps — submit it even if it isn't required.

When's the best time to take my required, non-major courses? Should I get them out of the way now, or wait until my senior year so I can take it easy my last couple semesters (or write a thesis)?

The answer sort of depends on who you are and what you have in mind. I often advise students to take them during their first two years, so they can explore other fields — who knows, you might change majors — and so they develop their study and writing skills. You want to put yourself at the greatest advantage in your major courses.

On the other hand, leaving a couple for the end might, as you say, serve as a little release valve for your senior year. They may not be as demanding as upper-division major courses. It might be nice to think about something different for a change, and you might bring a different perspective to them based on your experience.

So here's my final word: If you want to leave one or two 'till the end, go ahead. It could be fun. But remember, they'll put scheduling constraints on you and can keep you from taking things you really want inside your major — so don't leave more than one or two for senior year.

Dr. Anahid Kassabian is a professor of communication and media studies at Fordham University in New York.

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