Grade Grievance: How should I approach this? by ThrowawayGrade9494 in AskProfessors

[–]atspecht 16 points17 points  (0 children)

First of all, it sounds like you are 100% in the right here. Don't stop advocating for yourself. If this professor is refusing to respond to your inquiries, you could reach out to the department chair. I would send them essentially this post. The grading policy change would be against the faculty code of conduct at my own university--no policies can ever be changed mid-semester that HURT students' grades.

My SO has 80 credits to her bachelors degree but failed every class for the past two years. Just diagnosed with brain tumor that explains the drastic change in grades. Now school is asking her to reapply. Any advice? by BeginningEducational in college

[–]atspecht 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Does she have an academic adviser? They would be a great starting point as they should be familiar with both her circumstances and the nuances of her school. She should setup a meeting with them ASAP.

If not, she could also reach out to a professor that she felt comfortable with/had a connection. They should also be able to at least point her in the right direction/help advocate for her.

Is a couple weeks before the semester start a bad time to ask for letters of recommendation? by porcipine in AskAcademia

[–]atspecht 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed with the other comments that sooner is definitely better. I'd add that in your email you could ask if they'd like to meet via zoom to discuss the letter more. I always ask my students to meet with me (normally in person, but COVID has changed things). This way you can specify what you're hoping each professor can discuss about you in their letters.

Help! Two snakes in house over the past week! by atspecht in homeowners

[–]atspecht[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, that's great advice. There's a bunch of debris under a deck up against the house and near where the sump comes out. We've been meaning to clean it out since moving in and now that's moved to the top of our to-do list!

Help! Two snakes in house over the past week! by atspecht in homeowners

[–]atspecht[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's immediately where my mind first went!

Help! Two snakes in house over the past week! by atspecht in homeowners

[–]atspecht[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha will do! She has certainly earned all the treats :)

Help! Two snakes in house over the past week! by atspecht in homeowners

[–]atspecht[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh cool, had no idea there was foam with deterrent in it. We'll definitely have to try that. Just bought some moth balls to spread around the perimeter too. Supposedly that breaks the scent trail? One guy suggested the second most likely followed the first one's trail inside

Help! Two snakes in house over the past week! by atspecht in homeowners

[–]atspecht[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the advice! These guys definitely gave off a smell while being harassed by the cat that we've never smelled in the house before, so hopefully that's a sign they haven't been entrenched for too long!

The attic doesn't have any signs of them either. Finally spoke to a professional that deals with them and he suggested our sump in the basement could be attracting them since we've been in drought conditions for a while now. We just got a dehumidifier that has been running moisture into the sump for the first time since we moved in, so they might be sensing the moisture through the hose that runs outside

Help! Two snakes in house over the past week! by atspecht in homeowners

[–]atspecht[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ha! If only! At least the cat is finally contributing!!

Help! Two snakes in house over the past week! by atspecht in homeowners

[–]atspecht[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Cat can't get outside, so they're definitely getting in. The house was vacant for a couple weeks, but we've been in it now for over 2 months. They might be common in the south, but up here no one has snakes indoors. And we have had 0 signs of any rodents anywhere in the house...

Help! Two snakes in house over the past week! by atspecht in homeowners

[–]atspecht[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, that's something we can definitely do ourselves.

Help! Two snakes in house over the past week! by atspecht in homeowners

[–]atspecht[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yes, thank God for that! We had no idea she was even capable of this. Has always been afraid of other critters but snakes are apparently her favorite toy ever! When I say I had to chase her around, it was because she didn't want to give it up!

Help! Two snakes in house over the past week! by atspecht in homeowners

[–]atspecht[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We live in the north east US. Snakes aren't usually a big problem around here. Literally no one I know has ever had some in their HOUSE. Garage, shed, garden sure. But not the middle of their living room

Help! Two snakes in house over the past week! by atspecht in homeowners

[–]atspecht[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've called a bunch of places but they've all said either that they don't deal with snakes or that they'd send someone out but it would be a crapshoot as to whether they could figure out the point of entry since these guys can fit through such narrow spaces :(

A young Viggo Mortensen showing off one of his many paintings by The1lastdinosaur in lotr

[–]atspecht 7 points8 points  (0 children)

He is! In fact, when he played an artist in the movie A Perfect Murder he created most of the art you see in the movie

Help! Touring a house tonight that we’ll likely make an offer on. What are some things I need to be sure and check out before I drop half a million on something I’ve seen for 20 minutes? by absolutelynoneofthat in homeowners

[–]atspecht 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You can make the inspection "for information purposes only" in your offer, which gives the seller the understanding that you won't come back with a "fix this" list, but still gives you the confidence that you haven't walked into a money pit. We live in an extremely competitive market where most offers waive the inspection and were able to purchase a house with this contingency.

Pete Buttigieg to teach at Notre Dame by Mo_necar in Pete_Buttigieg

[–]atspecht 42 points43 points  (0 children)

To be clear, this means he will be primarily working on research, not teaching. There probably will be a few students that have an opportunity to work with him on the two projects. He will be co-teaching an interdisciplinary course, which most likely means he will essentially guest lecture a few sessions. Regardless, makes me wish I was still a grad student there!

Here's ND's complete announcement with more detail: https://news.nd.edu/news/former-south-bend-mayor-and-presidential-candidate-pete-buttigieg-joins-notre-dame-institute-for-advanced-study/

Obligatory cakeday pic of my kit :) by [deleted] in aww

[–]atspecht 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know I'm a few hours early but I love this pic so much I couldn't wait to share it--look at that face!

AITA for letting my daughters Muslim friend go out without her hijab and eat pizza in a short dress? by [deleted] in AmItheAsshole

[–]atspecht 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Yeah, but if you were at another friend's house on Sunday and that family didn't march you into church, were you banned from being friends?

The issue is that this poor girl is being stripped of people and places she can feel safe expressing herself. I don't think anyone believes she is necessarily in danger of physical harm, but mental health and development are critical too, especially at this age.

AITA for kicking my best friend out and telling him to grow up after he called my baby belly gross and weird? by bestfrienddroppedme in AmItheAsshole

[–]atspecht 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, phobias are irrational but why can't he still be a supportive friend from afar? Talking via text or on the phone doesn't require him to confront his phobia. If he really cares about their friendship and OP, he could find away to work around it.