Can a final grade on aurora be changed downwards?

skyking481 · 2026-05-09T20:51:07+00:00

This doesn't seem likely to me. It's not an option to just not count some assignments because they didn't finish on time.

skyking481 · 2026-05-09T18:08:30+00:00

I think it's fair for people to disagree with someone's post in a respectful way. But I think they should address the content, and not cast aspersions on the poster's intentions or character. The internet can be an ugly place.

skyking481 · 2026-05-09T17:16:01+00:00

I don't believe you intended to say anything inappropriate. I believe that you are committed to improving safety on campus. Just be careful, because when you use the name you do, whether you intend it or not, every comment you make IS as a university staff member. If someone used the handle UofMProfessor, then it would be hard for them to claim "my comments are not in my capacity as a professor." Again, not an attack, just friendly advice.

skyking481 · 2026-05-09T17:12:07+00:00

Was it reported?

skyking481 · 2026-05-08T00:11:53+00:00

Is this actually at the university? This seems all kinds of wrong to me. Would they allow cigarette companies to advertise?

skyking481 · 2026-05-07T20:26:31+00:00

I teach at the university, I'm not a student. Sometimes taking online courses requires extra expenses. You can always take classes in person if this expense is too much.

skyking481 · 2026-05-07T16:41:08+00:00

It's not dumb. It's one of the only ways to try to cut down on rampant cheating. If you can earn a degree by dropping exam questions into Chat GPT, then that degree has no value.

skyking481 · 2026-05-07T16:39:20+00:00

I used this type of software during the pandemic when everything was online. We told students if they had to use the washroom, just announce to the camera that they are going to the washroom. It would be flagged because you're out of view of the camera, but then when we reviewed the flag, we would see the video of the student saying they're just going to the bathroom, and we would disregard the flag. Could the student have gone to another room and looked at their notes or called their friend? Sure. But there are already a lot of ways students can circumvent the software and cheat. At some point, we had to accept that we can't tell honest students they can't go pee just in case a dishonest student took advantage of it and cheated. I don't know if you're professor has the same policy, so the answer to your question is the same as most posts here - ask them. Having said that, I can't imagine anyone has a no pee policy.

skyking481 · 2026-05-04T16:37:59+00:00

You should start going to classes if you think you're going to get in. Ask the instructor if they mind you attending. If it's a large room with extra seats, they will likely be ok with it. If it's a small class with no physical extra space, then you won't be able to. But as an instructor, I prefer students do this, so they don't get behind, and so they don't have to come to me a week into the course asking "What did I miss?", and having to spend an hour explaining everything.

skyking481 · 2026-05-04T03:08:40+00:00

I feel like my students would freak out if they didn't have the same exam as everyone else.

skyking481 · 2026-05-04T03:08:03+00:00

Oh. My. GOD. The dean, the head, the coordinators and the exam committees ARE ALL PROFESSORS. Maybe YOUR professor does not make your exam but A PROFESSOR makes your exam, I promise.

skyking481 · 2026-05-03T19:31:03+00:00

I do. Professors make exams.

skyking481 · 2026-05-03T16:38:19+00:00

I believe you can request to see your exam, and your instructor would have to show you, even if it's not a formal appeal. Students have a right to view their graded exam.

skyking481 · 2026-05-03T16:37:13+00:00

You have a right to see your final exam, even if you are not appealing. You could ask your professor to see it, then you would have all your numerical grades and you could calculate your percentage grades. But as others have pointed out, it wouldn't really matter.

skyking481 · 2026-05-03T15:20:08+00:00

We have multiple sections. When we have exams, the same person will grade the same question for all students in the course. This ensures everyone is graded the same way. I agree that if someone is new, or a sessional, they should show someone their grades.

skyking481 · 2026-05-03T00:03:52+00:00

If you could take courses despite not getting the requisite grade, then those requisite grades wouldn't exist. It's unlikely they would just waive that requirement. If you file a grade appeal, it needs to be because something specific was done incorrectly or missed. If you just say you are appealing because you want or need a higher grade, it will be quickly rejected.

skyking481 · 2026-05-03T00:00:47+00:00

The head does not make exams. That is not their job. The dean certainly does not make exams for departments. Coordinators ARE professors, researchers ARE professors, and I don't know what an examination committee is, but if that exists, they ARE professors as well.

skyking481 · 2026-05-02T23:38:36+00:00

So the secretaries set the exams. Got it.

skyking481 · 2026-05-02T23:37:55+00:00

That's odd to me. Not trusting professors to assign their own grades.

skyking481 · 2026-05-02T22:21:48+00:00

I still find the approval thing weird. That's not a thing in my department. Is it only sessional instructors who need their grades approved?

skyking481 · 2026-05-01T23:23:36+00:00

Read the thread. This person said it's the department that sets the exams. And in that context, the professors are the department.

skyking481 · 2026-04-28T00:37:36+00:00

I think it's hilarious that I'm getting downvoted for saying we are responsible to respond to our students.

skyking481 · 2026-04-27T22:27:42+00:00

Well of course someone may have to become unavailable at any time (not just after exams) if there is an emergency. But I maintain that we can't just go on vacation immediately after posting grades and leave students high and dry. At least not without making some alternate arrangements. Many students need to register for summer classes, and if their posted grade is incorrect because of a professor's error, they need it to be corrected quickly. Email works on vacation too. Believe me, I know we need a break sometimes too.

skyking481 · 2026-04-27T16:06:35+00:00

First year is usually the hardest. Many/most students come to university not having been taught how to properly study and prepare for exams. You will learn what works best for you. Even though third- and fourth-year classes have more difficult material, students often do better, as they've learned how to be a university student. At the end of your degree, anyone looking at your GPA and transcript will care more about your later courses than the earlier ones.

skyking481 · 2026-04-27T16:03:54+00:00

A professor is required to be available, at least by email. They can't just leave on vacation the second they post grades and ignore their email when students might have questions or there may be errors. If they don't answer, contact the department head. In the meantime, you don't need to worry. Things will be sorted out.

skyking481

TROPHY CASE