Ethical?

Edited out

 

My institution has a strict policy of not allowing extra credit under any circumstance. Of course there are probably professors who give bonus questions or something similar. If our academic dean found out something like this was going on, the teacher would be fired immediately.


ProfTim

 

Ooops, I forgot malfeasance and possibly contributing to the delinquency of a minor whilst acting "in loco parentis" as other possibilities. There's an old saying that a good prosecutor can get a ham sandwich indicted. These acts are most certainly subject to scrutiny under SNJ Criminal and Administrative Codes. By the way the Chemistry Professor was at Rutgers College

 

BrandeX is absolutely correct. I would also question the governance of an academic institution that permits such behavior. "Action and/or Inaction" of a Board of Directors are subject to review as well.

Perhaps I've made comments that are diproportionate, but I am amazed at abuses of authority. Criminal and Civil law addresses such acts in well-defined terms as these offenses are not all that unusual. Also, it's very difficult to escape consequence, e.g. a statement by this professor that it was a joke, could shift the scenario so it could be construed as Theft by Deception (criminal and civil). Thus under treble damage rules, the professor would have to return 4X the number of brownies and cheesecakes to each contributor to make all the hims and hers whole.

May I modestly suggest that a "Code of Conduct" discussion be started for mentors, adjuncts, and professors.

 

Wait, do I get browines?
Well, the goods were delivered- a receipt was given, and now the waiting begins. I'll give her a day or two before I start pestering her about my extra credit.

 

Your conclusion is aptly noted...but I think the last post by the author illustrates my point.

 

Extra credit is not wrong

As a student and as a prospective teacher, I see nothing wrong with extra credit, when that credit is given for knowledge pertinate to the subject and has no monetary value.

Some of the teachers in my school will add an extra credit question to the end of a test, this would be a question that requires extra knowledge of the subject. If the question is answered correctly extra points are added to the students grade(usually 3-5) if the question is not answered correctly nothing is lost. A test with 50 questions worth 2 points each and a 3 point extra credit question is a simple way to encourage better learning of the subject.

 

Undoubtedly a principled principal

 

Jennifer

YGPM,
Thx
Bbb

 

Other Countries do a Much Better Job

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/bribe-for-the-teacher-gets-you-good-grades-711478.html

http://us.asiancorrespondent.com/korea-beat/-p-4135

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=78794522219

Perhaps TESC will improve in this regard when it becomes part of RU

B^3

 

Should I infer you are a ruthless biologist merely from your tag line? Don't take forum posts too seriously.

 

Actually, that was meant as a compliment and not a flame. Perhaps a little punny, but not intended to offend in any way. Your observations are most certainly sentient and repected.

My name is really a joke. If you've been following the Rutgers issues, I am an alumnus and fear that TESC will not benefit from this transition. I may have to change my name to flummoxedrepublican if things continue.....
Any arrogance on the part of Rutgers graduates should be regarded as suspect as it's not of the quality it once was e.g. NJIT and Stevens are much better engineering schools.

I for one, am extremely impressed with TESC and believe Rutgers (except Business School) really dropped the ball on distance education. But then again, what do you expect when its two most famous graduates are Ozzie Nelson and Tony Soprano?

B^3

 

Are you saying that the unfairness of it does not necessarily make it unethical?

 

I believe that most unfair circumstances that can reasonably be avoided without the significant lowering of overall standard for a group are unethical. By my imperfect definition this is unethical.

As for Jennifer's dilemma, not everybody must submit to martyrdom over every issue they run across as one or two have somewhat suggested. Most institutions and authority figures infuriate me every now and again; however, I only take strong issue to my peril when the cost/benefit works out. One must take themselves and the group as a whole into account. In this case, the potential damage to Jennifer's educational experience and quality are too high as best I can tell.

As for the even baser issue of "buying" extra credit, I also agree with an early poster that believed the cause of the bake sale contributes to the legitimacy of this extra credit.

 

As best I can tell, controllable unfair circumstances are unethical if the cost of fixing the situation proves insignificant to the overall quality of the group. This would be one of those situations.

As for Jennifer's problem, some have suggested she ought to become a martyr for the cause at the potential expense of quality and enjoyable education and I disagree. The potential cost is too high and the likelihood of a good outcome is low. If this was the last class this teacher would administer to her the cost benefit would likely tip in the other direction. I love it when people stick their neck out over something like this, that is a quality thing to do; however, if one does not choose their battles they wont get very far. If I made a fuss over everything that bothers me about various institutions, systems, and people I would wind up in a bad position. Of course, according to Henry David Thoreau that would be to my credit. "Under a government which imprisons unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison". I suppose that's the other side of the coin.

 

To the tune of Oh My Darling Clementine

Extra credit, extra credit,
Extra credit for some cake
Sent some goodies, to my teacher,
Goodies that I, didn’t bake!

Extra credit, extra credit,
Extra credit, for some cake
My teacher, gave me credit,
Gave me credit, anyway!

Buying grades, buying grades
Buying grades, for some cake
Begs the question, to be answered,
Which one of us, made the mistake?

 

>>

I had to google it, very creative, but not quite as catchy LOL

 

Excellent

As a casual observer (and yes, I admit an opinionated SOB) I applaud you all. There's a camaraderie here that is indeed exceptional. St. Thomas Aquinas is proven correct again.
B^3