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[cc_alan]

This just in, from a student who tried the big-pleading-eyes earlier in the term.  Needless to say, we're more than a month past the withdrawal deadline, and she got the midterm back two weeks ago.  The final paper is due two weeks from now.  She has been to see me exactly once.

Mrs. Llanfair (oh, you're off to a good start, kid)

I am writeing to request a note of some kind simply stating that you agree with myself that it would be in my interest to withdraw from this course. As you remember i had come to your office and you had explained to me why i did not did well on the paper. Then i tryed very hard to get a great grade on the midterm and even came to you and asked questions in regards to the structure and material on the exam; but unforatuauly i was shocked to see that i received yet another F. I am having a horrid time on the final paper and I strongly believe that because of personal probablems,( Such as a conflict with my mothers relations, so now she has been staying with me for a few weeks, and a horrid death in my best friends family. Whom i was close to aswell, just to name a few) and not lack of pushing and trying my best that it would be in my best academic's standings interest if i withdrew. If you could just send myself an e-mail whenever you get the time simply stating that you agree with my decision it would be great. Thanks you so much for trying to help me, I strongly appreated it.

Cheers,
Bambi-Eyed Student

I'm speechless. I'm also glad we have a Dean of Student Services for these cases.

I do make exceptions to the withdrawal deadline. Well, I should restate that- I've asked my dean to make exceptions to the withdrawal deadline, but only for people who have been working with me. If a major assignment is due right after the withdrawal deadline, I've discussed it with my dean and obtained permission in case the student does poorly and that one assignment is the deciding factor.

And then the other students go to registration the week after the deadline and come back to me with- "Registration said that all I need is your signature to drop."

Uhh... not quite. What registration told you was that you need the instructor's permission after the deadline to withdraw from this class. You also need the dean's signature and since you're seeing me "outta' the blue", I'm not going to sign it which means it's unlikely you'll get past my dean. If a student feels that s/he has an extenuating circumstance, then s/he can go to the student services office and see if they will give permission to withdraw.

I like it because I'm no longer the "bad guy" for saying "no".

Alan

[llanfair]

Yes, I'm guessing that the Registrar's Office should have been her first stop (they usually handle extensions for illness, &c).  Of course, they're not getting back to me, which means I don't have to get back to her.  Darn.

[amlithist]

This just in, from a student who tried the big-pleading-eyes earlier in the term.  Needless to say, we're more than a month past the withdrawal deadline, and she got the midterm back two weeks ago.  The final paper is due two weeks from now.  She has been to see me exactly once.

Mrs. Llanfair (oh, you're off to a good start, kid)

I am writeing to request a note of some kind simply stating that you agree with myself that it would be in my interest to withdraw from this course. As you remember i had come to your office and you had explained to me why i did not did well on the paper. Then i tryed very hard to get a great grade on the midterm and even came to you and asked questions in regards to the structure and material on the exam; but unforatuauly i was shocked to see that i received yet another F. I am having a horrid time on the final paper and I strongly believe that because of personal probablems,( Such as a conflict with my mothers relations, so now she has been staying with me for a few weeks, and a horrid death in my best friends family. Whom i was close to aswell, just to name a few) and not lack of pushing and trying my best that it would be in my best academic's standings interest if i withdrew. If you could just send myself an e-mail whenever you get the time simply stating that you agree with my decision it would be great. Thanks you so much for trying to help me, I strongly appreated it.

Cheers,
Bambi-Eyed Student

"Dear Bambi:

"Please read your message to me, attached below.  The quality of writing and thought contained therein should indicate to you, as it does to me, why you have not a prayer in Hades of passing this class.

"Love,

"DR. LLANFAIR"

[polly_mer]

Well, Llanfair, be sure to tell us how it turns out.  Friday is the last day to withdraw here and I haven't seen nearly as many students in my office or communicating through email as I should have, considering that mid-semester warnings went out two weeks ago.

I'm betting that I will see emails like yours after next week's test.

[llanfair]

Not to worry, all - I'll post an update when things start to happen.  This one is a real case.

[antiphon1]

You're so fly?!? 1990 called, they want their adjective back.

This is simultaneously awesome, hilarious, and inappropriate.

Can't you just see him pulling on his Hammer pants?

You can't touch this.

Then again, should you really want to?

Given what I'm pretty sure he did during the past week?  Uh, no, thanks.  And he did make auditions last night.

[cc_alan]

You're so fly?!? 1990 called, they want their adjective back.

This is simultaneously awesome, hilarious, and inappropriate.

Can't you just see him pulling on his Hammer pants?

You can't touch this.

Then again, should you really want to?

Given what I'm pretty sure he did during the past week?  Uh, no, thanks.  And he did make auditions last night.

I love these stories. There's no "yes" or "no" answer to the student. Just place the responsibility that he tried to shift your way right back in his lap and let him decide what's more important.

Alan

[mystictechgal]

You're so fly?!? 1990 called, they want their adjective back.

This is simultaneously awesome, hilarious, and inappropriate.

Can't you just see him pulling on his Hammer pants?

You can't touch this.

Then again, should you really want to?

Given what I'm pretty sure he did during the past week?  Uh, no, thanks.  And he did make auditions last night.

I love these stories. There's no "yes" or "no" answer to the student. Just place the responsibility that he tried to shift your way right back in his lap and let him decide what's more important.

Alan

At least he stepped up to it, evidently without whining.  That's a good sign.  He might actually be taking this seriously enough to learn (expectations of craft practitioners as well as the craft, itself).

[llanfair]

This just in, from a student who tried the big-pleading-eyes earlier in the term.  Needless to say, we're more than a month past the withdrawal deadline, and she got the midterm back two weeks ago.  The final paper is due two weeks from now.  She has been to see me exactly once.

Mrs. Llanfair (oh, you're off to a good start, kid)

I am writeing to request a note of some kind simply stating that you agree with myself that it would be in my interest to withdraw from this course. As you remember i had come to your office and you had explained to me why i did not did well on the paper. Then i tryed very hard to get a great grade on the midterm and even came to you and asked questions in regards to the structure and material on the exam; but unforatuauly i was shocked to see that i received yet another F. I am having a horrid time on the final paper and I strongly believe that because of personal probablems,( Such as a conflict with my mothers relations, so now she has been staying with me for a few weeks, and a horrid death in my best friends family. Whom i was close to aswell, just to name a few) and not lack of pushing and trying my best that it would be in my best academic's standings interest if i withdrew. If you could just send myself an e-mail whenever you get the time simply stating that you agree with my decision it would be great. Thanks you so much for trying to help me, I strongly appreated it.

Cheers,
Bambi-Eyed Student

Update: Registrar's Office emailed me to say she needed a doctor's note or she'd have a WF on her transcript.  I emailed her to tell her that, and a short while later, received this gem:

[Llanfair's first name].

I have already contacted the academic advisors and they told me that all I needed was a note from you stating that you understand my decision to with draw from the course. I have tryed everything and I have my all on the midterm. I do not believe I am capable of passing this class and if I continue and fail my gpa will fall to low and I will not be able to graduate on time. I can give a doctors note because I feel fine. Its personal problems in my family that I can't do 5 courses this semester. 3 already spoke to the advisor and she has my letter to with draw all she requires is a note from you stateing that you understand my decision. I'd be more than happy to answer any questions but the registers office can make those desicions. [Advisor] has my letter and is just waiting for yours. Your welcome you check with her in regards to the letter that I'd Like (gives advisor's contact info). Sorry for the confusion. Thanks cheers.

BES

This kid is set to graduate?

<fanning self>

[geonerd]

This kid is set to graduate?
<fanning self>

What's your next move? 

[georgiaprof]

I would send the same email back telling her that the registrar's office says that you will need a doctor's note.

[ellaminnow]

I have already contacted the academic advisors and they told me that all I needed was a note from you stating that you understand my decision to with draw from the course.

Oh how pitifully cute. She's trying to be clever!  Does she think that you writing a note to the advisor saying that you "understand her decision to with draw [sic]" will prevent her from getting a WF?  

Yikes.  That's some scary writing, there.  

[phlegmatic]

I would send the same email back telling her that the registrar's office says that you will need a doctor's note.

Chime. Send this response one more time, and then stop responding.

[2clueless]

I would send the same email back telling her that the registrar's office says that you will need a doctor's note.

Chime again.The student seems to be indicating that the problem is related to distress rather than a physical illness; does your institution accept letters from psychologists for the purposes of health-related late withdrawals? (Mine changed its policy about ten years ago and does now, but they didn't for a long time.)

[grasshopper]

CC your response to the advisor.

I don't have to imagine how s/he will respond.