Originally posted by: Brule
From the outside looking in, I don't even understand what exactly you're all argueing about. Basicly Mill had fate give him a kick, and was upset just like any of us would be, reguardless of the written rules. His OP and poll was only semi-serious, yet some people took it as a place to run him down and point out his faults. Mill reponded with some major hostility that at times has become misaimed. Goose (and a few others) thought their advice was being thrown back in their face, or am I not correct so far?
Universities funded with public money hold a two-fold function. First, they're supposed to focus on teaching. Second, they're supposed to serve the needs of the state, but the intention is not to serve the scientific community at large. That is more of an afterthought, a mission carried out more by private institutions or at least set up that way. What they do and what they were founded for are very different.
There is a major problem in what modern colleges have become, from a problem that starts at public schools that graduate students who don't read. If I was teaching at a university I'd get sick of students in my classes who shouldn't have passed 8th grade. But to students who have the educational and intellectual background these widely held attitudes(of common profs) are a joke. I was lucky in college in that I could take some "honors" courses. They were great, teachers treated freshmen almost as equals, gave us plenty of slack, and I learned so much more in those classes. I also managed to ace those difficult honors classes with very large courseloads, yet had to retake calc 2 several times because the teachers were completely impotent at their craft.(didn't someone else mention that they did the same thing?)
I assume Mill is a student similar to me, and can completely understand where he's coming from, even through the hostile tone.I'd guess many/most people on these boards that went through college experienced something similar, maybe not. Good students should not be punished by profs who don't want to teach, it's that simple. Most colleges today don't recognize that fact. One can argue all day about the "way it is" but that isn't the question, which is the "way it should be". Pop quizes and the like for attendence show a deformed relationship between the teachers and the students.
What's the leadership and direction of the administration at your school Mill? If they're truely dedicated to the process of advancing the knowledge of good students a fight may pay off. It's better than sitting there feeling helpless. If they're not, you're screwed, welcome to the club the meetings are at 7:00 PM every Thursday. If you find yourself in many similar situations and do have the education, consider a transfer. There are still a few sane colleges out there.
Anyhow, this thread is bringing up memories for me of walking out of lecture halls because the speaker was completely insane and under qualified for the position and power. That's just how I see it, could be wrong if Mill is a neo-facist PETA fanatic that wears dresses to class. If so, please send pictures.
btw, I agree with sysadmin, the rant/poll options were pretty good.
EDIT: forgot to /rant
The only problem is, I'm betting from Mill's attitude and tendency to rant on everyone in here who doesn't say what he wants to hear that he is not a model student. I do know that educators are willing to go out of their way for students who show that they have a desire to learn and are RESPECTFUL, but they will not give a second thought to closed minded, hateful and egotistical students such as Mill.
Hey Mill: Notice my signature. It has not changed since I joined ATF in 2000, and it has always been meant for people just like you.
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