8/1 Readings

This weeks reading was an article entitled "In the Basement of the Ivory Tower" by "Professor x". This professor works part time in the evenings as a adjunct instructor of English. He teaches Engligh 1101 and 1102 at a small private college and at a community college. In this narrative, he goes on to explain that for many of his students, the colleges that he works at are last resort colleges. And by last resort, he goes on to explain that many of his students have screwed up and all either have children, a full time job, or mortgages to pay. Some of his students are fresh out of highschool and others have been out of high school for quite some time, but for most of them, college was never a goal they worked hard for.

I thought that this article was very interesting to read. I primarily enjoyed when he went on to explain that the classes that he teaches must be passed by students and that his class is not like a biology class where you have to know the facts and the teacher just had to grade a multiple choice exam. His class is a class where he has to grade essays and papers. He is essentially the person who "lowers the hammer". The person who deams whether people are fit for college or not.

I definately agree that college is not for everyone. Not everyone has the patience, time, self discipline, and motivation to complete college and let alone, enter college. I cannot imagine having to be the person who, in a sence, tells a person that college is not right for them.

Questions...
1. How do students treat you after you fail them?
2. How does failing a great number of people make you feel as a professor?
3. How can we tell someone that "college isnt for them" in an easier, lighter way...?