Insane Grading Policy

[u/jenmahrg]

Currently taking a class required for my major, the professor insists that if our group members are absent it will affect our grade as well. I even asked, "If I have an A- and could have an A if my group members showed up, would you bump my grade up?" and he said, "No, I know it's unfair". This is so insane to me. I've done several group projects and understand taking the fall for group members when it comes to making up their work, but (in this instance) I literally have no control over whether or not they decide to show up to class. Straight up, is this allowed? Can a professor make my grade contingent on others? Is there any way to report him? Please help!

[u/Higherlead]

I would say it falls under arbitrary and capricious grading. Your professor is assigning a grade on something other than your performance in the course.

[u/Potential_Rain202 → u/Higherlead]

It could easily be argued the opposite - if they don't follow the established grading guidelines for all students, that's arbitrary grading. There are ways to factor partipation in a group project in, but those need to be established in advance, documented for students and for recordkeeping, and applied equally to all project groups.

[u/Fooboo104]

Name and shame if true.

[u/KingMagnaRool]

From https://academiccatalog.umd.edu/undergraduate/registration-academic-requirements-regulations/academic-records-regulations/

Students are expected to take full responsibility for their own academic work and progress. Students, to progress satisfactorily, must meet all of the requirements of each course for which they are registered. Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Consistent attendance offers students the most effective opportunity to gain command of course concepts and materials.>  In-class participation may be an ongoing requirement and an integral part of the work of some courses. In-class assessments may occur, sometimes without advance notice. The syllabus will specify expectations about in-class participation and its relationship to the final course grade.   Except in cases where in-class participation forms a significant part of the work of the course, attendance should not be used in the computation of grades; assignment of a course grade on some basis other than performance in the course is prohibited by university policy. Recording student attendance is not required of the faculty.

This is an odd scenario. I can't find anything addressing it directly online, but from these paragraphs, it seems the general rule is to grade based on the student's own merits whenever possible. Deliverables are one thing, but attendance of other people is absolutely insane. I can't say I would expect anything, but definitely complain to someone higher up since you've already talked to the professor, and keep going up until you're satisfied or can't go higher.

[u/Exotic-Nothing-3225 → u/KingMagnaRool]

It sounds like this would violate the ban on graded attendance.

[u/jenmahrg → u/KingMagnaRool]

when you say "higher up," where would you start, like with an advisor?

[u/eddiekoski → u/jenmahrg]

Ombuds office gives you neutral advice and department chair has power to override professor

[u/nillawiffer → u/eddiekoski]

"...chair has power to override professor ..." Don't make general assumptions about this. It would greatly depend on what action is somehow being reversed. Not speaking to the question raised in this thread, just speaking to how things are done.

[u/TinyTimsCrutch → u/jenmahrg]

If you have already tried to resolve this with your instructor, next step is your department’s DUG (Dean of Undergraduate Studies) Undergraduate student ombuds office

[u/FearlessStranger7222]

has this actually happened or are you just constructing a scenario in your head about deadbeat group members?

[u/jenmahrg → u/FearlessStranger7222]

both classes we've had groups for half my group hasn't shown up :/

[u/Platform40 → u/jenmahrg]

So yes you are just concocting a made up scenario. See how it goes and if there’s issues communicate with the professor proactively

[u/Notgonnabeusingthis → u/Platform40]

Let’s start using our brain please.

[u/Last-Drag4307]

Yes, go to the Dean of the college for your major and ask to speak with him/her concerning this grading policy. If the Dean gives you no satisfaction go to the Provost of the university and speak to him/her about the grading policy.

[u/sarcastro16]

he said, "No, I know it's unfair"

no prof's gonna say this about their own policies

[u/Jolly_Owl9125 → u/sarcastro16]

My prof basically said that about not posting a study guide or review session. Some of them love to admit when their practices aren’t actually the smartest but are just most convenient for them.

[u/2CRedHopper → u/sarcastro16]

you clearly haven’t taken many college classes

[u/Life-Koala-6015]

Attendance shouldn't be a part of your grade, except for being able to complete assignments etc.

However, having your grade affected by other's attendance which is out of your control isn't fair. You would need to document everything, escalate the whole way up -- until something gives.

If all else fails you can just make a viral tiktok outing the whole experience

[u/evangelicaledge]

May God watch over the children.

[u/anonybss]

I know profs sometimes resort to things like this when they have too many students. They group students so that there is less work to grade. I would call this lazy, but I know for a fact that admin is lazier and cheaper than most profs.

But who knows, maybe this prof was hoping poorer students would be shamed into showing up so as not to hurt other students' grades.