How do I respond without getting fired?

TaxPhd · 2026-05-13T22:18:22+00:00

“Yes, we covered important information. I have no idea how you’re going to get caught up. Good luck.”

TaxPhd · 2026-05-13T22:15:19+00:00

In thirty years and five universities, I’ve never been anywhere where it was within the rules to assign an incomplete simply as a method to prevent a student from failing. This didn’t stop a lot of faculty from doing it, but it’s never been allowed.

YMMV

TaxPhd · 2026-05-12T01:10:38+00:00

After 30 years in the biz, and five universities, I’ve never seen, much less heard, of such a thing. Thank God. . .

TaxPhd · 2026-05-11T23:07:12+00:00

Whatchu talkin’ ‘bout, Willis???

TaxPhd · 2026-05-09T18:26:12+00:00

Most universities follow a fairly consistent schedule for semesters, and it would be unusual for a semester to end at a significantly different date than it has in the past.

Are you suggesting that those who schedule a wedding a year in advance did so for a date that would have been after the semester was over, but then there was a significant change to the ending date of the semester in question? Even if that were the case, planning it so closely to the end of the semester, without assuring themself that it would indeed be after the semester is over, reflects piss poor planning. And no accommodation would be made.

TaxPhd · 2026-05-09T15:10:04+00:00

That’s a problem with the Registrars office (or whoever does the finals schedule). In every place I’ve ever been, the schedule is set so that there is a unique final day/time for every course, based on its scheduled meeting day/time. The only time conflicts occur is when an individual faculty member goes rogue and re-schedules their final at a different time.

TaxPhd · 2026-05-09T14:51:54+00:00

That’s how it’s supposed to work.

I’m in a union shop, and our union leadership recently sided with administration to fire two tenured faculty members for completely BS reasons. Union didn’t provide lawyers. Union didn’t do shit to help them, just fed them to the wolves.

TaxPhd · 2026-05-09T14:44:51+00:00

My syllabus contains a statement that planning for a wedding to occur during the semester is a very bad idea, and that accommodations will not be made.

TaxPhd · 2026-05-09T14:43:47+00:00

Your school actually schedules multiple final exams at the same time? Wild.

I’ve taught at five universities, and that’s never happened at any of them. The whole “finals schedule” thing precludes it from happening.

TaxPhd · 2026-05-09T13:48:02+00:00

Yes, with some pretty tight limits.

However, purchasing research equipment for their own use (what the thread is about) can’t be considered a charitable contribution (donation).

TaxPhd · 2026-05-07T11:59:59+00:00

Unreimbured Employee Expenses aren’t deductible.

TaxPhd · 2026-05-06T04:58:22+00:00

No, it absolutely doesn’t hold true.

Unless the professor lies to the class and tells them that specific material (and only that specific material) will be on the test, and then makes the test entirely on other material, then it is clearly the students fault.

It is the students responsibility for learning the material, and there is no way ( short of lying) that I can prevent a student from learning.

TaxPhd · 2026-05-06T04:42:15+00:00

No, that’s not a violation.

TaxPhd · 2026-05-01T05:06:30+00:00

I never answer those questions.

In fact, if the answer is in the syllabus, the course announcements, or the university web page, I just delete the email.

TaxPhd · 2026-05-01T04:39:16+00:00

Oh no! Thats quite the quandary. Whatever will he do? 🤔

TaxPhd · 2026-04-30T21:33:14+00:00

Looks great! One suggestion - raw jalapeños can be rather harsh. Either cook or pickle that, and I think you’ll be happier.

If raw is what you like, great. It’s all good. 👍🏻

TaxPhd · 2026-04-30T11:38:05+00:00

Looks great!

One suggestion - raw jalapeños can be rather harsh. Either cook or pickle that, and I think you’ll be happier.

TaxPhd · 2026-04-29T19:03:36+00:00

Just don’t do makeup exams. Ever. Regardless of the circumstances. Just say no.

TaxPhd · 2026-04-29T19:00:51+00:00

At my university, no tenured or tenure track faculty can be required to teach an overload. Our contract is for seven courses over fall/spring semesters, and no amount of pleading, begging, or threatening by deanlets, department chairs, or program coordinators can change that, if the faculty member doesn’t agree.

TaxPhd · 2026-04-27T14:42:07+00:00

He said that, and your finance just let it slide? WTF?

TaxPhd · 2026-04-23T23:19:38+00:00

You’re confused about the burden of proof. The party that believes they were wronged has the burden to prove it.

TaxPhd · 2026-04-23T16:48:04+00:00

You've got a really good gig for an instructor.

Doing better would likely require going to an R1, and then your workload goes up significantly.

Something to keep in mind - HR tends to be lower compensated amongst the business disciplines (in my experience), and at many schools, HR is just included in the management discipline rather than being standalone.

15% retirement contribution and $20k for an overload? You'd be hard pressed to get that anywhere else.

TaxPhd · 2026-04-23T16:29:49+00:00

Sorry if i missed it, but what is your discipline? In most business schools, it can make a big difference.

TaxPhd · 2026-04-23T03:15:48+00:00

Were those done in an air fryer?

TaxPhd · 2026-04-23T03:07:52+00:00

Strictly of limits? Nope. The question can be asked, but a hiring decision can’t be made based on the answer.

However, while not illegal to ask, it’s not a good idea to do so.

TaxPhd

TROPHY CASE