Bullied by professor

[IllinoisTVFan]

I've mentioned the problems I've been having with this program because they have discriminated against me in several ways. First they refused to allow me to enter the advanced program, though I have a 4.0, they made it more difficult for me with this program, etc. Anyway, yesterday I was speaking with several classmates saying that half of the students in the program were idiots and had no business being there. This has been a topic with several of us because we have to post on discussion boards and we deal with the people who post nonsense such as poor grammar, not answering the question we are supposed to, etc.

Long story short the professor overheard my conversation and instead of pulling me aside, or ignoring my comments he decided to attack me in class! He started saying how dare I attack students and that they are just there for education and not everyone is smart. This is a GRADUATE program, they should be smart! He then told me to apologize to my classmates and they even said I wasn't talking about them (I wasn't, I was talking about those who post insanity on the boards). Then he attacked me because I refuse to take a minimum wage job in low income areas. Um no, once again this is supposed to be a job that requires a master's degree, why would I want to work in these areas? I then said I could make that amount at Wal-Mart. He was steaming and he asked me to stay behind so he can talk "some sense". He then started saying because I'm smart (I'm on a full scholarship) that I should be more compassionate towards these students and I should VOLUNTEER TO help them! Where is it written that I am supposed to help people? Then he said I don't have the right temperament for the program because I refuse to take a job in these areas.

When I started the program I made it quite clear I only was interested in the advanced program and was not interested in any jobs working in the ghetto (and we're talking south side of Chicago which is famous for being horrible and dangerous). I also made it quite clear that if I had to work in these areas I would bring a gun and this makes me a horrible person compared to them. Luckily, I just have my second internship to go and I am starting it next week .

[JamesG]

Nothing wrong with having standards.

[IllinoisTVFan]

Originally Posted by JamesG

Nothing wrong with having standards.

True but they gave me such a hard time because I know where I want to work. I think they are mad because so many want to work anywhere but I don't.

[Svenfan1234]

Originally Posted by IllinoisTVFan

I've mentioned the problems I've been having with this program because they have discriminated against me in several ways. First they refused to allow me to enter the advanced program, though I have a 4.0, they made it more difficult for me with this program, etc. Anyway, yesterday I was speaking with several classmates saying that half of the students in the program were idiots and had no business being there. This has been a topic with several of us because we have to post on discussion boards and we deal with the people who post nonsense such as poor grammar, not answering the question we are supposed to, etc.

Long story short the professor overheard my conversation and instead of pulling me aside, or ignoring my comments he decided to attack me in class! He started saying how dare I attack students and that they are just there for education and not everyone is smart. This is a GRADUATE program, they should be smart! He then told me to apologize to my classmates and they even said I wasn't talking about them (I wasn't, I was talking about those who post insanity on the boards). Then he attacked me because I refuse to take a minimum wage job in low income areas. Um no, once again this is supposed to be a job that requires a master's degree, why would I want to work in these areas? I then said I could make that amount at Wal-Mart. He was steaming and he asked me to stay behind so he can talk "some sense". He then started saying because I'm smart (I'm on a full scholarship) that I should be more compassionate towards these students and I should VOLUNTEER TO help them! Where is it written that I am supposed to help people? Then he said I don't have the right temperament for the program because I refuse to take a job in these areas.

When I started the program I made it quite clear I only was interested in the advanced program and was not interested in any jobs working in the ghetto (and we're talking south side of Chicago which is famous for being horrible and dangerous). I also made it quite clear that if I had to work in these areas I would bring a gun and this makes me a horrible person compared to them. Luckily, I just have my second internship to go and I am starting it next week .

My opinion whether you like it or not: they are discriminating you, but you are hardly helping matters by viciously attacking students behind their backs. If it were you instead of them, I bet you'd ask for whoever did it to be expelled! Bullying isn't going to make your situation better. And you should apologize to the students you were calling idiots, that's just downright uncalled for. Why not just leave them alone and let them worry about themselves? I have to agree with your professor on this one, and if you're so dang concerned, you should try to help them instead of labeling them. And it also sounds to me like your professor and faculty aren't saying you'd be permanently in this job, sometimes you just have to take the good with the bad. Sometimes even geniuses don't get the jobs they desire right off, sometimes you just have to give it time. I hope you do well on your internship, but sometimes you just can't be choosy. And also, I am not attacking, just offering some constructive criticism in how I feel. I feel like sometimes you should take the first job you find regardless of pay to have some experience, because that's also really important.

[IllinoisTVFan]

Originally Posted by Svenfan1234

My opinion whether you like it or not: they are discriminating you, but you are hardly helping matters by viciously attacking students behind their backs. If it were you instead of them, I bet you'd ask for whoever did it to be expelled! Bullying isn't going to make your situation better. And you should apologize to the students you were calling idiots, that's just downright uncalled for. Why not just leave them alone and let them worry about themselves? I have to agree with your professor on this one, and if you're so dang concerned, you should try to help them instead of labeling them. And it also sounds to me like your professor and faculty aren't saying you'd be permanently in this job, sometimes you just have to take the good with the bad. Sometimes even geniuses don't get the jobs they desire right off, sometimes you just have to give it time. I hope you do well on your internship, but sometimes you just can't be choosy. And also, I am not attacking, just offering some constructive criticism in how I feel. I feel like sometimes you should take the first job you find regardless of pay to have some experience, because that's also really important.

I didn't say any names, just that there are too many idiots. This is a fact, it's a graduate program and they shouldn't be allowing in people who aren't at graduate level. Besides, I wasn't the only one discussing these students, other classmates have mentioned them as well, I've even been at meetings where faculty was mentioning how they need to get rid of these students because they drag down the classes and many students complain. There are tutors available if they need help. I don't know if you know how bad the south side of Chicago is but it's very dangerous and I am likely to get shot at. Not all of the south side of course is bad but the areas they mentioned are extremely dangerous, plus the salaries are horrible so I would be paid a paltry salary to risk my life. I can't do it and I know it I wouldn't be happy working these jobs (which would affect my job). I like where I am working my internship but if I don't get hired there I'll likely head back to school for Spanish (I am doing an online teaching certificate as well). I'm unhappy about this program to be honest and have become bitter because of it. I would have dropped out if I wasn't so close to graduating. I was happy at first, getting involved and volunteering for things but once they rejected me, I stopped volunteering to help. Part of the reason they rejected me is because of religion. I found this out by someone who works in the department.