Should I file a formal complaint against my professor?

wmj1996
Thu, 13 Jun 2019 04:19:42 +0000

Hello everyone,

This is my first post, so I’m not really sure how this works.

My major (Clinical Laboratory Science) at my home school requires more credits than a regular Bachelor’s degree, so I’m taking 2 classes at my local community college as a visiting student this summer. I actually transferred to my 4 year from this community college, but only 15 credits were transferable, which is another reason why I’m back there.

Anyway, I’m having an issue with my General Chemistry 2 lecture professor. First off, he doesn’t seem like he wants to teach. He just gives us formulas and doesn’t teach us how or when to use them. Whenever someone asks a question or answers one of his questions incorrectly, he answers arrogantly and makes them feel stupid. It’s only the second week of class and no one wants to speak up because of this.

Second, the reason I want to file a formal complaint against him, is because of an email exchange. I emailed him to let him know I wouldn’t be able to make it to class, when there was an assignment due, because I was burying my father’s ashes. I asked if I could hand the assignment in the next class. He said no because he was going over the answers during the class I missed and would have the grades up by the next day, but that I could scan it and email it to him. That’s completely understandable, but he didn’t leave it at that. He said, and I quote, “If you did it, or any of it, scan it and email it to me by the end of class. This is why I gave it out last week. It takes time to do these problems.” I understand that students lie to try to get the due date extended, but I genuinely finished it the day before it was due. Also, what kind of sick person lies about burying their own parent? I felt sick when I got that email back, insinuating that I lied to have more time on the assignment, and sent it to him right after I saw that email. Not only was I burying his ashes, it was the one year anniversary of his death. It was already an emotional day and he doesn’t seem to care that it affected me negatively. He didn’t even apologize.

I’ve had plenty of awful and rude professors, but none have ever treated me like this before. Is this a valid reason to make a formal complaint? Or should I just blame my emotions for getting the best of me? I would drop this class, but it would mess up my schedule to where I’d have a missing semester and have to graduate in three years instead of two.

Thanks in advance for any advice.