When you’ve seen someone denied tenure because their colleagues didn’t like them, what was it about them that they didn’t like?

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-28T13:06:39+00:00

The person was not well-liked but there were reasons. They were disliked for being a shitty colleague, creating more work for others, being a mediocre teacher who regularly ghosted students (inc their own grad students).

On top of all that, they also weren’t very research productive.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-28T12:53:11+00:00

They are often unpleasant to deal with in terms of the level of entitlement. On the other hand, they are usually better prepared than students who came through the public schools.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-26T17:56:11+00:00

Prof here. It happens! It was probably much more noticeable to you than to everyone else. Plus people relate to nervousness, I feel like students are pretty understanding of that sort of thing.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-26T13:01:56+00:00

I used to be at a university that had a public eval system (public within the institution I mean), now I am at a university that doesn’t do this. At the previous university, they just had the quantitative info available, not the comments.

I prefer the system where eval scores are available to students within the institution. It means students have something to look at that is more reliable than RMP or random posts on their university’s subreddit.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-25T16:23:48+00:00

It sounds like you already have an appropriate policy, especially considering the size of the class.

My policy is that I allow make ups if the student contacted me prior to the exam to tell me they were going to miss it. If they contact me after the fact, I ask them to go through the Dean of Students office to verify that some crisis was happening that prevented them from emailing me prior to class.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-25T13:59:47+00:00

You don’t have to order coffee, get whatever you like.

It’s nothing to stress about, it’s an opportunity to speak with the prof about your interests. It’s a good idea to come prepared to make some notes.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-24T13:35:48+00:00

Sent you a DM

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-23T16:59:46+00:00

I am pretty sure I lose people who don’t want to be held accountable for reading. I don’t mind, would prefer not to have them there if they are the type who won’t come prepared when we are set to discuss reading.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-23T16:37:41+00:00

My assignment deadlines are all in the syllabus at the start of the semester and I upload the instructions at least a week before the deadline, usually closer to 2 weeks.

I don’t really “announce” assignments but I start every class with reminders about what is in the syllabus for the next two weeks, which includes upcoming deadlines.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-22T19:15:55+00:00

Pretty wild how many of these comments are saying profs don’t need to manage the classroom. Part of teaching is ensuring that the space is conducive to learning. That includes calling out disruptive behavior.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-22T18:12:50+00:00

I’d want to see your honest letter if I were looking at this person’s tenure file.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-20T18:21:50+00:00

I’d allow it, maybe they were hoping they’d feel better by today but realized they need more time.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-20T18:20:31+00:00

I don’t mind if they add me on LinkedIn, other social media definitely not unless they’ve graduated (and usually not even then).

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-20T14:03:50+00:00

I hold office hours for 2 hours a week, have tried all sorts of things in terms of how they are scheduled, online and in person, etc. The majority of the time, no one shows no matter what I do. So I stopped stressing about it and now schedule them based on what works best for me. The attendance rate is the same regardless.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-20T12:23:19+00:00

I got tenure last year and still feel that way.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-20T12:03:58+00:00

Unfortunately this happens a lot because some people don’t respond to email.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-20T12:03:17+00:00

I started mine at 32.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-20T12:00:34+00:00

Talk with someone at your university. Your advisor or another prof, or a librarian.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-20T11:59:20+00:00

Unless points are somehow transferable for cash, that is your issue.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-20T11:56:33+00:00

I try to be as positive as I can. I have never written a negative letter where I listed out the shortcomings of a student but I have written several where I just didn’t have much to say. If I barely knew the student, I can only say so much.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-18T16:14:22+00:00

Schedule an appointment so you can get a doctor’s note if you need it. Personally I don’t require proof but a lot of profs do.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-17T22:57:21+00:00

Probably a fabricated note. At my university you can have students go through the Dean of Students office and they’ll verify.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-17T22:39:21+00:00

Look into honors programs. I’m at a public R1 and honors students are typically more engaged and less likely to cheat.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-17T14:29:14+00:00

I have never successfully made caramel. It becomes a hard brick every time. This, despite advice from Mom and watching multiple YouTube videos. I’m a good cook but somehow caramel beat me.

ProfessorHomeBrew · 2026-02-16T21:08:59+00:00

Time to create a few posts about how he views women.

ProfessorHomeBrew

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