When taking courses in college, you expect your professors to be fair, helpful, and effective teachers. However, there may be times when you run into issues related to things like grades, teaching style, course policies, or professor conduct. Navigating these situations properly is important, both so you can succeed in your studies and maintain a productive student-faculty relationship.
Understanding College Roles
Before we talk about navigating the college structure, its helpful to understand the different roles involved in college life and their scope of authority:
Professor: This is the faculty member actually teaching the class. As the “instructor of record,” they have wide discretion when it comes to designing the curriculum, assignments, assessments, and policies for that particular course. They directly control grades and conduct within their classroom.
Advisor: This is either a faculty member or staff member who helps guide you in selecting courses to take, meeting requirements, and developing your academic plan overall. They serve as an impartial mentor. While they do not have authority over professors, they can provide general advice if class issues come up based on their administrative experience.
Department Chair: Every academic program has a faculty member as its lead administrator. In addition to teaching courses, their job includes directly managing other professors in the department. They evaluate other faculty members and can implement disciplinary measures if needed. As professor conduct and effectiveness fall under their purview, they have the authority to help resolve conflicts.
Dean or Associate Dean: Often overseeing multiple academic departments, deans handle bigger policy matters related to curriculum, faculty hiring/reviews, grade appeals, student grievances, and more. Some colleges have deans assigned to particular schools or programs as well. Deans can launch formal investigations and have sway when it comes to faculty disciplinary action.
Moving Up the Chain
When challenges with an instructor emerge, it’s important to follow proper protocol in having your concerns addressed. The correct order to move between roles is:
- Talk directly to your Professor
- Meet with your Advisor
- Reach out to the Department Chair
- Contact the Dean’s Office
Step 1: Communicate Professionally with Your Professor
Your first move should always be to raise your specific concerns directly with the faculty member teaching your course. Do so calmly through email or by scheduling a meeting during office hours. Stick to the facts and how situations in the class are negatively impacting your learning. Consider bringing a factual written account of the issues.
Step 2: Seek Guidance from Your Advisor
If communication with your professor fails or they react unreasonably, your next point of contact is your academic advisor. They can offer guidance based on their administrative experience, such as coaching you on better ways to approach the professor or confirming that further advocacy for you is warranted.
Step 3: Involve the Department Chair
Take concerns to the chair of your department if problems remain unresolved after working with your advisor. The chair has direct authority over faculty and can use measures like performance evaluations, probation, or withholding salary increases if necessary. Provide clear, documented examples.
Step 4: Pursue College Advocacy
Finally, you have the option to file an official grievance through the college’s academic dean’s office if needed. This will launch a formal investigation and appeals process involving senior leadership, yourself and the faculty member.
Resolving Issues Constructively
With patience and properly moving through the right channels, you can successfully tackle problems that arise in your courses while maintaining professionalism.