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Monday, March 28, 1988 / University Daily Kansan
Grade changing not easy Students learn professors have final word
By Dayana Yochim Kansan staff writer
George Baumchen got a C in his Communications 150 class last semester.
He thought it was unfair.
Baumchen, St. Mary's junior, had a lot of friends in his class who got better grades but did less work, he said. He said that twice this semester he made appointments to discuss the grade with his teacher, and twice his teacher did not show up.
Under the University of Kansas' current grading system, his options for getting his grade changed are limited. When a KU student thinks he received an unfair grade, the grading instructor still has ultimate rule over the outcome.
Because KU does not have an established court to appeal grades, the process is handled separately through each department, said Robert Shelton, KU ombudsman.
"The University of Kansas has no
grade appeals board," Shelton said. "The only person who can change a grade is the instructor."
Shelton said that the only instance when a person other than the instructor can change a grade is if it can be proven that the instructor made a mistake.
"You have to be able to demonstrate that there was some clear malfunction on the part of the instructor," Shelton said. "It can then be taken to the grievance board of the department."
Shelton said that the grievance board decided whether the student's complaint involved prejudice or whether the student was graded on a different standard than stated on the class syllabus.
About five years ago, the University voted against establishing a grade appeals court, Shelton said.
grade appeals court, Chen Xin.
"Some universities have a grade appeals board but only a small number of complaints are accepted, and
very few are overturned," he said.
If the University did establish a grade appeals board, it would have to establish provisions on the kinds of cases it would accept, Shelton said.
Sandra Wick, administrative assistant to University Senate Executive Committee, said that the chances of establishing a grade appeals board were slim.
"That body would have the power to overrule a faculty member's grade," Wick said. "That is unacceptable to most faculty members. By and large, that would be seen as interference."
interference.
Lorna Zimmer, director of the Student Assistance Center, said that some students came to her office if they thought they had been treated unfairly in a class.
"We have no authority to direct a teacher to change a grade, but we can help a student through whatever goals he or she has in mind," Zimmer said.
CHICAGO — April Fools' Day was the date of the first two Save the Pun dinners but Good Friday falls on April 1 this year, causing "mass" confusion among punters.
Punster group's dinner is for groan-ups only
Heitler, head of the Chicago chapter of the International Save the Pun Foundation.
"Instead, the dinner is sharing April 4 with the 'Oh' ohm daying day' of the Chicago White Sox," said Joyce
"We'll have everything on the menu from soup to nuts, but we promise not to serve soup to nuts," she said. "We would have had alphabet soup but we didn't want guests grooming for words."
More than 200 punsters are
expected to attend the dinner at which the foundation will present its first Punster of the Year Award.
"We asked members to send us their votes, and there were a great many votes for President Reagan. They feel America is safer with a 'ray gun' in the White House," said John Crosbie, founder and chairman of the "bored" at the foundation.
Local Briefs
DEAM CANDIDATE NAMED: Robert R. Edwards, professor and chairman of the department of English at the State University of New York-Buffalo, was named the sixth and final candidate for the liberal arts and sciences dean position at the University of Kansas.
Rex Martin, search committee chairman, said the committee would be recommending three of the candidates to Del Brinkman, vice chancellor for academic affairs.
KANU MANAGER ACCLAIMED: The general manager KAU, KU's public radio station, has been
Martin said the three names would be submitted to Brinkman around April 6. A new dean is expected to be hired.
named the 1987-88 winner of the Grover Cobb Award for Broadcasting Service.
The Cobb Award recognizes long-term accomplish- nts in broadcasting.
Howard Hill, who has been general manager of KANU since 1977, will receive the award and give a lecture during an Introduction to Radio and Television class Thursday.
ments in broadcasting.
TAXI WORKING WELL: Lawrence's new 24-hour taxi service seems to be working out well for its owner and for the city.
Paul Shackelford, who started the A-1 City Cab service three weeks ago, said he was pleased with the service's business. He said that he added a fourth car and might add a fifth.
Shackelford said he had five full-time and six part time employees.
Macintosh Its not too late to get your key to success. Order now. FREE MACWRITE®
The deadline has been extended! If you pay your $50 down payment at the Burge Union by March 30, you can still have your Mac on your desk by March 31 or April 1. (This extension even applies to students whose approved financing has been delayed!)
It's the biggest ever KU Bookstores Macintosh computer sale and that means big savings for you. Like $1000 off the regular retail price on Macintosh Plus.
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If you want to make sure your computer arrives on March 31 or April 1st, you need to pre-order at the bookstore now.
With prices lower than ever before, now's the time to order a Mac. Here's the deal: On April 1st, the Macintosh computers will arrive at the Burge Union. The computers will be specially priced for KU students, faculty and staff.
You may even be able to finance your computer with help from the Financial Aid Office. There are several plans available. Some include low monthly payments during the time you're in school at KU; others don't require any payments until after you graduate! Counselors at the Financial Aid Office can tell you if you qualify (financial need is not the qualifying issue.) And they'll explain exactly how the program works. All you have to do is call 864-4700 and make an appointment to find out more.
You can have a Macintosh on your desk on April 1. All you have to do is order in advance. We'll even show you how to set it up and get started at free seminars in the Burge Union on the 1st. Sound easy? It is. As easy as 1, 2, 3!
Step 1: (optional) Interested in finding out if you qualify for student financing? Contact the Financial Aid Office at 864-4700. Make your appointment as soon as possible. The counselors there will be more than happy to help qualified students choose the best program. (Financial need is not the qualifying issue.)
Step 2: Order your Macintosh at the Burge Union.
Stop by and place your order by March 30.
Tell us which Macintosh, Plus or SE that you want.
($50 deposit required)
Step 3: Pick up your Macintosh at the Burge Union on March 31 or April 1. Attend a free seminar to learn how to get started, if you'd like.
Macintosh Plus or SE? 2-disk or hard disk drive? You choose. The computer that will help you work faster, smarter and more creatively has never cost less!
KU Macintosh Sale Savings:
Macintosh Plus...$1200
Macintosh SE with 2 disk drives...$1979
Macintosh SE, 20 meg hard disk drive...$2399
Included in these special prices are: the computer keyboard, mouse, hypercard and multifinder. All of these prices apply to full-time KU students, faculty and staff.
Macintosh $ ^{\mathrm{TM}} $
Helping You Make the Grade at KU