It’s final essay season, including one for a course which the students must pass in order to gain entrance to degree study.
A significant number of my students have been rendered unable to write and in need of an extension by the unexpected illness and death of a number of uncles. Grandmothers at present seem to be unharmed.
September 9, 2008 at 4:41 pm
hahaha. With the course I am doing the co-ordinators made it clear that extensions pretty much wouldn’t be granted. My last assignment was due in a week where ALL the family was ill and at home including me, we had flooding and power cuts. I sent my assignment in anyway even though I had to go to the library and print and fax from there. I sent a note to the co-ordinator explaining the “iffy” presentation. He emailed back “I’m glad you took my extension provision seriously, but I think power interruptions, flooding, and an entire sick family are worth requesting one—too late this time, but please do keep it in mind”
September 9, 2008 at 11:38 pm
I too am marking papers. A significant number of students have been rendered unable to write but, nevertheless, have submitted papers which I must now interpret. If only tragedies had befallen their families, I would be a happier man.
September 10, 2008 at 4:17 am
If only I had checked my spelling before posting, I would not feel so foolish now.
September 10, 2008 at 8:50 am
Paul: fixed, with the mighty editor’s power!
AAML: You are an exemplar of completion. In my neck of the woods, such circumstances are usually handled with a little more passive-aggression, as in “my whole family is ill, the house is flooded, we have power cuts, and I stayed up all night working on the assignment which I haven’t finished. [implicit sigh] I’ll just have to hand it in and take the lateness penalty. [hopeful pause]“
September 11, 2008 at 12:07 am
Thank you, Mighty Editor. Since you have such mighty editorial powers and a shortfall in essays to mark, perhaps you might consider deciphering some papers on Pugin. I fear I lack the literary skills.
September 11, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Harvestbird – thank you. At least I had completed the work – just not the printing and sending. My printer broke down that week too
(Anyone want a cheap boat anchor)