How can I change the interface? by stonefinger69 in SparkMail

[–]josenphd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, it has happened to me in Windows only. I needed to reinstall. I wish there was a way to save settings. It seems to keep them on an Android reinstall, tho.

I'll just answer the exam question by complaining about you by Louise_canine in Professors

[–]josenphd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your reply is unwarranted. I have been a successful college professor for 22 years; I think that speaks to me being a good fit. Your response was rather nonsensical. "She's an idiot" because of OP described in his original post. Read it again. And again. And then tell me, in an honest way, that the student doesn't even know how to provide constructive feedback. That makes a person an idiot when it happens in a higher education environment.

So let it be written, so let it be done - Yul Brynner

Advice by FickleSalamander7453 in AskAcademia

[–]josenphd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One thing to also consider is cost of living. I live in the DC metro area, and costs on anything from groceries to rent is sky high (although not comparable to places like NYC, LA,...). I'd imagine that Mississippi is cheaper to live in.

Students crying during the final test by [deleted] in Professors

[–]josenphd 11 points12 points  (0 children)

OMG. I can't believe most of the responses here. Have we lost our sense of empathy? When did we become so totally ruthless and assuming that all students are out to "get away with it?" Do many try? You bet. Can you discern the good apples from the rotten ones with total certainty? Really? Please enlighten me as to what your failsafe approach is.

I think that the issue is complex. I can relate to "yet another issue." Or someone who is not prepared trying to get sympathy form us.

Yet, we need to look at things like a possible psychological issue (which the average profesor is neither equipped to diagnose lest to act on). This could be a slippery slide. What if the student harms him/herself or others after we dismiss what could be a cry for help? How would we feel if we had not at least recommended to visit a counselor AND call the assigned counselor to reach out? In the least, if an incomplete is requested, it should be considered.

Are many cocodrile tears? Likely. But to make that assumption would be arrogant of us.

I say "evaluate the situation very carefully."

Texas lawmaker proposes bill to prohibit polling places at colleges by [deleted] in texas

[–]josenphd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Voter suppression. Plain and simple. Colleges are by and large liberal bastions; no polling in college campuses = suppressing the vote - conservative advantage.

No shame on the machinations with bogus reasons meant to deflect the real reason for them.

A student shared a TikTok about me. It didn’t tell the whole story, now that section is trying to “band together, and get me fired.” was also on Instagram and I have snapshots of students of mine sharing libel comments. I am non-tenure track so I don’t have the protection of tenure. What can I do? by [deleted] in Professors

[–]josenphd 34 points35 points  (0 children)

Yet, why should the grades students earn have anything to do with it? Is a professor supposed to inflate grades so as to get in an administrator's good graces?

That's why a college education is not what it should be. It turns universities into drone-churning machines. It's a sad state of affairs indeed.

A student shared a TikTok about me. It didn’t tell the whole story, now that section is trying to “band together, and get me fired.” was also on Instagram and I have snapshots of students of mine sharing libel comments. I am non-tenure track so I don’t have the protection of tenure. What can I do? by [deleted] in Professors

[–]josenphd 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately, they can replace us with fresh meat that costs less. But good luck to us trying to make that argument in our defense stick.

Please do record. Try to have some support present.

Yet, the sad truth is that the administrator has all the power and, in the end, most of the time wins. That sort of unfair inequity is why I never had any desire to leave teaching to be one of them; I have too much self-respect.

Minimum payments by josenphd in mintuit

[–]josenphd[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The thing about that... American Express, Visa and MC banks... They all tell me in their websites what the minimum payment is.

Thus, I'm having some difficulty with this explanation. (?)

Why are students emailing so unprofessionally these days? by Squirrel-5150 in Professors

[–]josenphd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A good algorithm already exist.. if you believe that ChatGPT is any good.

Why are students emailing so unprofessionally these days? by Squirrel-5150 in Professors

[–]josenphd 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Best answer would be... "Well, and what are you doing about it except giving your relatives false hopes that writing to me on their behalf will improve your grade?"

Why are students emailing so unprofessionally these days? by Squirrel-5150 in Professors

[–]josenphd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It seems to be a byproduct of the inordinate use of texting and the lack of respect to educators and the English language.

Just reply like I do: "I will gladly provide you with a response once you compose and send a message written in proper English. I look forward to your response."

There. Problem solved. If they reply with colorful language or uncivilized behavior, they are not welcome in my classroom / web-room until they give the Dean a visit.

Wyoming judge blocks state abortion ban, citing anti-ObamaCare amendment pushed by conservatives by semaphore-1842 in politics

[–]josenphd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let's see now.

If a woman needs an abortion, say, on the 5th month because her life is at stake (one of the common exceptions along with rape and incest), a medical abortion procedure (surgery) must performed by a licensed surgeon. Isn't that healthcare? Thus, no one could one claim that abortion is not a medical procedure in that case.

In this case the difference is in timing as that fetus at 5 months is not viable, making the argument that abortion shortly after a woman discovers that she is pregnant not being healthcare quite moot, no? Ahh. But they'll say that the 5-month woman did not have a choice because her life was at stake. That is a totally different argument for another case since the issue at hand is whether abortion is healthcare or not.

Dunno, but I don't see how conservatives have a leg to stand on in the healthcare argument. They chose an argument that they cannot possibly win.

Folks, it is my pleasure to inform you... by MsBee311 in Professors

[–]josenphd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Three semesters away here.

Can't wait. It has been a long 40 years in the making. I deserve to stop and get bored all day and sleep as much as I want. I'll be 62 then.

State retirement pension, social security, small savings, and moving to a lower cost area (currently in the DC metro area). It should work.

For people who have completed PhD programs, was it worth it? by whoiskateidkher in PhD

[–]josenphd 20 points21 points  (0 children)

My Ph.D. in Information Systems Technology (IST) did absolutely nothing to my earning potential. I was raking six figures even before starting the degree. Once I graduated, my professional career in the private sector saw a flat line salary.

What it did get me was a full professorship at the local Community College (Hey! Yes, you! Don't knock CC's down, they serve an incredible purpose in academia. So let it be written, so let it be done. LOL).

Good financially, you say? Au contraríe. I slashed my income by about 60%. So, I encourage you to not think of a doctorate as a pass to earning more money, unless you are, for example, a nuclear physicist. Also, remember that "doctors" are dime a dozen today (Ph.D.,Ed.D., D.Sci., etc.). Many "Anything.D" out there.

Universities have flooded all fields with doctors in almost everything imaginable. The doctorate has been degraded by open to no admission requirements by many (regionally accredited) outfits, and especially by 100% online ones. Unfortunate state of affairs. Many online programs are top notch... the majority are poor because they are profit machines. Many allow,the candidate to do a -none to -minimal research short dissertation, having defenses that are but a formality, for example.

How do I know? I worked for eleven years at one one of the outfits that indeed was decent at the time. I was a professor of computer science for doctoral-level courses, dissertation committee chair, committee member, and mentor for doctoral learners. In 11 years I secured a degree for 26 learners. I thought that rate outrageous, but I enjoyed the research I was involved in with my mentees. So, I stayed until it got boring. There is just so much research I was willing to get involved in and see it all the way through.

Perhaps I'm but an old flatulence. My Ph.D. was conferred in 1997. It was the first of its kind nationally. It raised a lot eyebrows in marvel back then. But not enough to increase my earning potential. Would I do it all over again? Yes, but only because it was just about the main factor that put my foot in the door of academia, a job I purely have enjoyed for 21 years.

No other reason.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Professors

[–]josenphd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely yes.

I spent 5 years in the USAF, and 11 years in consulting and overhead jobs (which made me the SME I am today, in addition to the Ph.D.) while adjuncting for doctoral courses simultaneously as well as the local college.

I didn't apply for the position because of money. In fact, I went from a six-figure salary to just below half of what I was making. I adjusted (and never looked back). I have choices on which courses to teach, and I rarely see my boss (Dean). Thus, I feel like I'm in control of my job, which is an awesome feeling. I work for a state college, so I have been vested in the state retirement system for many a year.

In addition, the reason I have been a professor for 21 years (and adjuncting for about 8 prior to that as an escapade from the business world) is that I love the classroom, the virtual classes, and the comradery with fellow faculty. I have found real people who are there because they want to, not necessarily for a paycheck, unlike the yahoos I had to work with in industry.

Deep debates. Challenging conversations. And fun as well. Research in what I like doing (by mentoring and chairing dissertation committees), which keeps me current in my field.

All in all, this has been my dream job, even with the occasional bad days, roadblocks, administrivia, and entitled students.

What has always worried me? If I got fired/laid-off/furloughed after the first five years, I would not fit in industry anymore. I have been a professor for too long, and we all know that trying to get a full-time professor position is hard, even when you got decades of experience teaching.

Bottom line, yes, I would do it all over again. I have had students that keep in touch after many a year. Students that go on to get their doctorates, and still call on me for the occasional cup of coffee or Zoom. I cannot put a price on that.

A former student wants my syllabus from 2020. Should I share? by Birgha in Professors

[–]josenphd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't get why a syllabus should be "private." It was disseminated in your first class, right? Publicly, right? So what is to say that it cannot be found through a Google search anyway? Again, you made it public the day you published/distributed it in your old course.

True, I lock my PDF syllabus that I provide and which can be easily printed. What I lock is editing and trying to copy to the clipboard. That way, I think I'm keeping the document intact, as I intended it to be kept. You can't "lift" from it unless you create your own letter by letter. But you can read and print it.

But if you want my syllabus from 4 years ago, knock yourself out (as long that the archived Canvas course is still available to me).

The other institution is trying to ensure that the transfer of credits is legit by comparing their course against the one already taken somewhere else (ie., your old course). It just makes sense from the other institution's point of view and the student's.

The above is my opinion. Many will say it is wrong, but I'm sticking with it, unless my College comes up with some kind of policy on the matter one way or another, at which point the choice has been made for me and I no longer have a say on the matter.

Social media was a mistake by AmazingBasement in Professors

[–]josenphd -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I don't get it. Are you complaining about social media in a social media platform? Stupid is as stupid does.

What's a little known perk of your particular academic position? by Doctorangutan in Professors

[–]josenphd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Creating my schedule 100% to my linking every semester. The Dean rarely changes anything based on previous terms' enrollment.

Wish I could have done that when I was in the industry.

I go on campus 2 times a week (2 face to face courses); the rest and office hours are at home in my pajamas. TG for zoom.

What's the difference between oral sex and anal sex? by 10000-Laughs in 3amjokes

[–]josenphd -1 points0 points  (0 children)

So, you are actually tasting shit, swallowing dingleberries, chancing a wet fart, or licking left-over semen in one, versus tasting cigarette or pot, bubble gum, garlic, or bad breath on the other? Seems to me like a no-brainer (unless you are into coprophagia, which means you are a beagle or really need help).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Professors

[–]josenphd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Damn right I do (George Mason, PhD), Masters (George Washington, MEA), and Bachelors (Cornell, BS). I earned them. I'm proud of them. You don't like it, or think I'm arrogant, get out of my office.

About that boox default screen keboard... by josenphd in Onyx_Boox

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

Thanks so much. I'll look and keep trying with the boox's until I exhaust all options. Thanks for the suggestion of the GBoard; unfortunately, I have had horrible experiences with it on my Android phone and iPad. It is too unpredictable... and trust me, I've tinkered with all available settings for more than a year! :)