dealing with a discriminatory professor -- Virtually Advising Q+A

The Q: My daughter has a college instructor that has been giving her a hard time. She constantly gives our daughter F's on papers that deserve at least a B or C. The instructor was fired from a local high school because of the way she treated students. We went to a counselor and my daughter's head instructor about all these problems; they agree that she is being treated unfairly and that something needs to be done. I'm afraid if we wait any longer, she will lose her scholarships. What can we do as parents?

The A: Unfortunately, I think you're pretty dependent on the head instructor. If s/he will stand up for your daughter, then call a meeting with the instructor, head instructor, parents and student, and request that the instructor go over work with you all present to clarify her standards. Make her put them in writing.

If she still gets an F, ask the head instructor to write to the scholarship agencies. And meet with the head instructor privately to request a change of teachers in the strongest terms. If the head instructor genuinely believes your daughter is being treated unfairly, I'm sure s/he'll feel obliged to help you figure out a way through this problem.

—Anahid Kassabian, Chief Advisor