tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924342902294926126.post2965534815502149928..comments2023-11-19T10:12:51.209-05:00Comments on U OF O WATCH: Responsible Intervention versus Executive Incompetence in the Faculty of ScienceDenis Rancourthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16743375141824505606noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924342902294926126.post-26818680137466636682007-06-08T18:29:00.000-05:002007-06-08T18:29:00.000-05:00"seeking favour through anonymous letters tends no..."seeking favour through anonymous letters tends not to work very well"<BR/><BR/>The 52-prof letter is not anonymous to the Dean. The Dean knows the author(s) of the complaint, but he has the duty to remove the name of the author(s) when he shows the complaint to the targetted prof.<BR/><BR/>That's in theory. When a student complains against harassment by a prof., and when the prof. sees the complaint, he will know who made it even if the name is hidden (unless the prof. harassed a couple students in the recent past, which we all hope doesn't happen...).<BR/><BR/>The real problem with this complaint process is that the collective agreement between the APUO and the administration leaves no space for the students. Thus once a student complains, the complaint is dealt with between management and the prof's union, without the student having any say.<BR/><BR/>No wonder so few students report harassment. The risks (by having the prof. know they complained) greatly outbalance the benefits (the small probability of justice after a long process in which the student has no say and which might not even be completed when the student graduates).<BR/><BR/>Philippe Marchand<BR/>Dept. of physicsPhilippehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14751081482650873066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924342902294926126.post-30996454673267840412007-06-06T07:07:00.000-05:002007-06-06T07:07:00.000-05:00We're all students.The point is that people have e...We're all students.<BR/><BR/>The point is that people have expressed opinions on both sides of the issue. If these courses were so popular in terms of enrollment, offered for so long, and everybody's happy, where is the bulk of this support?<BR/><BR/>It's not just about choice, but that is an excellent question. Which courses are these 'squatted' ones (comment #2s word) taking the place of?<BR/><BR/>The professor's peers have a vested interested in many of the same issues Rancourt is claiming to defend, as well as the quality of undergraduate and graduate work being done at the school.<BR/><BR/>Finally, seeking favour through anonymous letters tends not to work very well. To me this is the faculty crying out for action.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924342902294926126.post-76360676249220217412007-06-05T18:06:00.000-05:002007-06-05T18:06:00.000-05:00How many students, when given the choice between a...How many students, when given the choice between a "traditional" PHY 1703 and the "squatted" one, chose the traditional one?<BR/><BR/>Is the author of the previous comment even a student? Does he/she believe that students are old enough to choose for themselves what's good for them?<BR/><BR/>52 profs signed a complaint. How many students have signed complaints against the same professor? <BR/><BR/>Are any of the 52 profs in a position where the Dean's support would benefit them in the forseeable future?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8924342902294926126.post-35189219103688625812007-06-03T15:15:00.000-05:002007-06-03T15:15:00.000-05:00What do the science students who miss needed prere...What do the science students who miss needed prerequisites (presumably these courses are offered in lieu of others) or don't have the luxury of taking a social activist have to say? <BR/>What do those who fail out of the 2nd year that depend on elementary (physics) concepts being covered in first year have to say?<BR/><BR/>How many of the total former students have actually come forward? Are any of them in a position where your support would benefit them in the foreseeable future? <BR/><BR/>You stand to gain $10M out of this. What does the third of the faculty stand to gain?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com