Profesors that gossip and form a "clubhouse"

well its my first year of college, and well for the most part all say almost everything is going find, for the exception of one thing.
One of my profesors keeps on complaing about my class/group.

My program is made up of 72 students divided into three groups, i'm in group three, and this professor keeps on talking about how crappy of class it is.

The fact that he has formed a clubhouse with some of the other profesors, i know this because i've talked to one professor whos been teaching for more then 15 years and who had an excelent reputation at the college.

He said he has heard alot of talking going on between these professors, but he doesn't agree with it so far.

He didn't tell me which profesor it is however he left vary obvious clues who it is.

I also know which profesor it is because the "leader" called me out of class to meet with him and he said i'm organizing a meeting with you and the dean.

So clearly i know which profesor it is, but fact that he whould target me considering the fact that i don't cause problems in class.

I just don't understand why he whould target me as well as gang up with 3 other profesors and talk about us??

he has know right, to do that as well he has know right giving my home phone number to some student, who claims that she needs it for a group assignment.

regardless he shouldn't be giving information out like that.

 

That blows. I would complain to the dean about him giving out your personal information. That's something he could really get in trouble for... as for the playing favorites and talking shit, I don't think there is anything that can really be done. If you encounter people who want to take this prof, just direct them in any other possible direction.


It just shows that "immiturity" is sort of an oxymoron because it is used to describe those who should be more mature than someone younger than them, when infact, "immaturity" is more like retardation, which can occur at any age and through a lifetime.

 

I don’t know what subject this class is in, or what the professor’s complaining about…

but I do know that professors gossip about students—not in particular, but in general. The English teachers I work with regularly complain about the poor quality students we get from the remedial and ESL programs, and often relay humorous anecdots about papers or comments in class to each other (though never with a particular student’s name).

BUT….

it’s unethical (and, in many places, illegal) for a professor to discuss or show a particular grade, or a particular student’s performance, with anyone other than that student. I’ve had difficulty explaining to parents why I can’t tell them how their kid is doing; or telling friends why I can’t give their buddy’s paper to them to pass along to their buddy.

If your professor is commenting on your performance as a class, or even a group, that’s allowed, though it may be in poor taste. Teachers will often say things like, "I’ve got a dull class this semester…they don’t do their readings, don’t do the homework, can’t follow my lectures, etc." But for him to say, "That kid Benjamin isn’t doing well in my class" is wrong, and you should go to the Dean and complain very strongly.

Good luck!

ProfRob

 

Have you had this meeting with the dean yet? I don't know what to tell you, not knowing more particulars of your situation. I could see pulling you aside if you seem to be making all the effort that you should but you're just not getting it -- not to pick on you but to try to help you learn the material. A lot of freshmen don't know yet to take advantage of office hours to talk to their prof about difficulties they are having with the material. However, I'm not sure exactly why they should set up a meeting with the dean...

Now, I do have a question about the prof, which stems mainly from the fact that I don't know what kind of school you're at or what kind of course this is... Is it a full professor, or is it a graduate student with either a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Graduate Instructor (GI) position? I ask because, well, this type of discussion would be expected if you have a TA who is discussing the situation with the actual PhD professor. It is still unprofessional to gossip like that, but, if a TA has a problem that s/he doesn't know how to deal with, s/he is supposed to talk to the professor. In that case, I would expect names to be ok to use because that prof will be entering your official grade & probably sees your tests (or at least a random sample from each class to check on how the TA is grading them). A GI is expected to talk to a faculty member (generally without names, if possible), generally to his/her advisor, but any faculty would be acceptable. These grad students are still learning how to be effective teachers, so it is expected that they talk to a full professor when they need advice in dealing with a specific situation, class, or student.

Again, I obviously don't know the details of your situation. I'm trying to give the guy the benefit of the doubt... As for giving out your home phone number, & if you feel that no explanations mentioned on this forum excuse the situation, talk to the chair of the department. Better yet, go to that meeting with the dean & discuss it with him. I would suggest writing out what you want to say about the situation & practice, so that you don't get flustered when you are there, & bring a list of stuff that you don't want to forget to mention. If possible, write down specific events & comments that you heard & that you feel were inappropriate.

Who knows, maybe that other prof set up the meeting with the dean to back up his own complaints about your prof's behavior... Good luck.