M. Suzanne Terry

Greetings.

I am sure that you are all concerned about when grades and attendance will be posted online.  The due date for these postings is Monday, December 17.  That’s right – the Monday after finals week.  That’s when all of that is technically due.

But here’s what I’m going to do for you, because I’m so nice:

I will have attendance posted by your class time next week.  That way, you will know for certain whether you are exempt from the final or not.  You will have an actual print-out from me that says that you are exempt or that says that I will have the pleasure of seeing you again the following week for the final exam, along with instructions on how to prepare for said exam.

I will have your grades posted by the end of finals week.  I realize that this is a long time to wait for them, but the good news is that you don’t have to wait.  You can figure out what your grade is on your very own, with no additional input from me whatsoever.  Take the grades that I’ve handed back to you (as of this week, that will be six grades total – three individual speeches and three group speeches).  Add these grades together, and divide by six (or, the total number of grades).  This gives you up-to-date information on where you stand in the class.  Do not email me to ask me what your grades are.  I don’t email grades because I cannot verify privacy via email, and because I believe that if you really cared, you would keep up with them.  If you have failed to do so, congratulations – you’ve learned a life lesson (i.e., keep up with your grades).  And you thought you were only here to learn public speaking.  Bonus for you!

In the past, students have felt the need to express their disagreement with my time schedule regarding these issues, and I certainly recognize your right to express yourself.  Before you do, however, do me a favor.  Ask yourself how many assignments you have handed in a week before they were due to me.  Is that answer “zero” (hint:  it is)?  If so, perhaps this should be a sign unto you that the more realistic perspective to adopt is one of gratitude (or even mere acceptance – I’m happy with acceptance) that I’m getting it done early, rather than annoyance that I don’t have it done already.

Bonus helpful hint:  That figuring-out-your-own-grade thing?  You can probably do that in your other classes, too.  A visit to the section in the syllabus where the grading scale is located and some elementary math skills (or a friend with those skills) should be all you need.