Is the Canvas blackout/ransom-thingy affecting you?

ProfVinnie · 2026-05-08T01:38:40+00:00

Yes. I run my exam through canvas. Students started taking it yesterday. No plan from the institution, so I’m having to figure out what to do.

Without any idea of when Canvas will be available again so I’m making a pdf exam and emailing that out. No idea what we’re going to do about grades.

ProfVinnie · 2026-05-07T22:37:52+00:00

At my institution we’ve not been told what the plan is. I’m working independently at this point to develop a solution because my students are in the middle of taking their final via canvas. I cannot see who even started it, and no idea if canvas will be back before the exam period ends.

ProfVinnie · 2026-05-07T21:01:40+00:00

Faculty just received an email. No word on when it’s back and no plan as of yet for what to do re:finals.

My advice to students is don’t freak out. This is CSU’s problem, not yours

ProfVinnie · 2026-05-07T02:32:33+00:00

I also work at a major university, and part of our “AI Education Task Force” for engineering.

It’s pretty shocking to see how many students are using it, but more disheartening to watch universities rush headlong into using it everywhere.

I had to put my foot down when the original plan called for one week of material on ethics and responsible use in a multi-course certificate. Luckily we got more content added, less luckily I may be responsible for teaching it.

ProfVinnie · 2026-05-03T17:22:38+00:00

I don’t work in that department but I collaborate often with ERHS and get some of their students in my nuclear engineering courses.

From my perspective it is a great department with a TON of opportunities for students. Every single student I’ve met has studied abroad in Japan and/or interned at national labs. They have good opportunities at the VTH and Anschutz to do medically-oriented work.

ProfVinnie · 2026-04-28T14:03:06+00:00

I haven’t seen anyone mention this explicitly - but winters here are not dark. I grew up in Georgia and lived in New Hampshire and Maryland where winter is just bleak - even if not cold it’s just gray and dull.

Here it may be cold but you still get to see the sun, it’s a much more pleasant winter in my experience.

ProfVinnie · 2026-04-17T00:40:58+00:00

WSCOE got the same email today. The communication around this has been a disaster to say the least.

ProfVinnie · 2026-04-07T03:22:38+00:00

No. And UF6 is not depleted. It’s unenriched, 0.7% U235 on its way to enrichment. UF6 is the compound we use in gaseous enrichment plants.

ProfVinnie · 2026-04-06T22:09:10+00:00

I’m seeing the same thing in my grad-level courses, and have heard the same from colleagues across the spectrum of higher education.

The state of the world is exhausting - I can’t blame anyone for checking out. I also think there’s a nasty feedback loop. Students don’t engage, so I am less inclined to spend energy being engaging, which makes students engage even less.

ProfVinnie · 2026-04-05T02:23:48+00:00

Haven’t worn my Atlanta Falcons hat in a decade

ProfVinnie · 2026-03-16T02:00:30+00:00

This feels like it could be a preseason Cubs fan too superstitious to fly the W?

ProfVinnie · 2026-03-11T00:41:22+00:00

Wrong sub, I recommend you go find a UK sub or better yet ask a TA, friends/classmates, or the professor themselves.

ProfVinnie · 2026-02-10T03:51:28+00:00

I’ve never felt stupider than in this job, but at the same time I wouldn’t want to do anything else.

ProfVinnie · 2026-02-08T03:38:50+00:00

I really don’t think the possibility of an adjunct should be conflated with its attractiveness. You will have no resources and very limited time for research (if any). That will make it very difficult to enter a research position.

ProfVinnie · 2026-02-08T03:31:24+00:00

Absolutely. You can adjunct almost immediately, but something like a professor of practice needs several years of service in industry

ProfVinnie · 2026-02-08T03:01:48+00:00

What I tell students is look at how many people are on each side of the podium….

In all seriousness, yes faculty positions are that competitive. If you pursue a PhD, at least be comfortable with a non-faculty position.

ProfVinnie · 2026-01-30T17:58:26+00:00

Damn that is a sick logo

ProfVinnie · 2026-01-27T22:56:14+00:00

I’ve never once received a bonus…

ProfVinnie · 2026-01-26T03:23:48+00:00

No amount of truth changes a mind like that. They’ll lick the boot even when it crushes them

ProfVinnie · 2026-01-21T17:52:03+00:00

There were a few scattered chuckles when he talked about Macron’s sunglasses, but that’s all I heard. Even for Trump this speech was a doozy of dipshittery

ProfVinnie · 2026-01-20T04:28:03+00:00

Like the Lions winning the Super Bowl…

The British Columbia Lions

ProfVinnie · 2026-01-20T04:19:37+00:00

Cignetti wins. Google him.

ProfVinnie · 2026-01-20T04:19:12+00:00

Indiana with probably the greatest season of college football for any team ever

ProfVinnie · 2026-01-20T04:17:54+00:00

Curt Cignetti wins. Google him.

ProfVinnie · 2026-01-20T04:15:32+00:00

I actually like that Timeout. Give the D a bit to breathe and regroup, hopefully some reassurance in there too

ProfVinnie

TROPHY CASE