The MSU math instructor email that has gone viral nationally

Nov 16, 2005
27,425
20,303
113
We had a group of us engineering students that would show up at P Chem and decide which of us were ditching and who was staying behind to take notes.

None of us failed, we all graduated, and none of our mommies were even aware that we were skipping a class.
Well good for you. You get a gold star.
 

LandArchDawg

Junior
Sep 14, 2003
2,542
206
63
Well, it is a good lesson on you adapting to the world, the world doesn't adapt to you. I've certainly gotten worse letters and emails from my past clients and employers. If anything, maybe the student learned a lesson.
 

mstateglfr

All-American
Feb 24, 2008
15,930
5,783
113
You are such a cuck.
I am a cuck because I like when a person clarifies if they are a man or woman in their email signature, when their name doesnt make it clear?
Um...odd term to use and odd thing to be upset over, but ok then.
 
Sep 15, 2009
442
223
43
I know that if I get an email with a Bible verse at the end that there is an excellent chance that I am going to be very pissed off by the time I make it to said verse
I colleague that I respect very much gave me a great piece of advice for business transactions: If the estimate/quote has a bible verse or religious quotation on it, run. If there is one on the invoice, you are too late, and probably overpaid.
 
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Bulldog Bruce

All-American
Nov 1, 2007
4,687
5,173
113
We are the society that made "adulthood" so young as we industrialized and the powers that be wanted/needed workers dependent on them rather than the extended family. Traditionally, a man would stay in the same household as his father or father in law kind of like an "apprentice adult" but still under the direction and authority of the older man and everyone worked for the mutual benefit of the household. Only when the older man could no longer do it or was dead did the younger man become the "adult" and the household began deferring to him. We, in the West, made adulthood and full independence younger in the first place. For good or ill, maybe it's now just trending back.
valid points. So you are saying in the really old days the head of the household would definitely jump on the professors azz since he needed the kid to plow the field.
 

OG Goat Holder

Heisman
Sep 30, 2022
12,216
11,300
113
Literally the same this the State of MS sent my Sunday night. Offices are closed, then 15 minutes later, “Per the Governor, State is to report” … got my happy *** up and went!
That's actually ridiculous and how stupid shlt happens.
 

Big Sheep81

Freshman
Feb 24, 2008
2,133
55
48
valid points. So you are saying in the really old days the head of the household would definitely jump on the professors azz since he needed the kid to plow the field.
And those17-21 year olds manning the B-17s, B-24s over Germany along with coming off the landing craft at Anzio, Normandy, Tarawa, Saipan, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, etc got "adulted" too soon......
 
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MStateU

All-Conference
Nov 15, 2009
929
1,913
93
I am not a professor. If I were, I cannot imagine taking roll at a 4 year university. You are not children. I am not telling your parents if you don't show up. Show up and learn the material or don't and fail the course. Doesn't make any difference to me.
 

aspendawg

Sophomore
Sep 10, 2009
400
137
43
In my very unqaulified opinion - the tone seems like there's a sort of satisfaction from her being in a position of power and only focusing on what she would do in that situation and punishing others for not thinking just like her. Which shows, at the least, a lack of empathy. You don't know what other people are dealing with, what 'choices' they have, and starting from a "They're only trying to use a crisis as a means to miss my class" or some other anecdotal fallacy is an immature and self centered egotistical way to think. The mutual exclusivity of prioritizing policy over well-being is also dumb as I've seen this play out in the corporate world and the return on investment is almost always 0.

The chefs kiss is it's so comically antithetic to the bible verse she's got in quotations below. No, she shouldn't be fired BUT hopefully her manager will show her some empathy, and coach her on emtional intelligence and self awareness and she'll come away better for it as every mistake is a learning opportunity. Seems like these days the world could do with a little more empathy.
 

Maroon Eagle

All-American
May 24, 2006
17,961
7,765
102
I am not a professor. If I were, I cannot imagine taking roll at a 4 year university. You are not children. I am not telling your parents if you don't show up. Show up and learn the material or don't and fail the course. Doesn't make any difference to me.

Taking roll is mandated by the federal government to review students receiving financial aid.

You have to submit reports that students did or did not attend classes, and students who don’t attend classes will be contacted by university officials.
 

Trojanbulldog19

All-American
Aug 25, 2014
9,969
5,746
113
Being smart is part of being an adult.

Encouraging more people to get out on the roads so they can come back to a class is not smart. That's what are these muhcountable oldass energy folks aren't getting......intelligence is a part of the equation.
Yeah there a bunch of people stranded on 20 55 that wished they weren't. What if that were one of her students.
 

DawgNsuds

Junior
Jun 4, 2007
622
226
43
in my opinion, she basically states that the students were aware of the immanent storm, it was forecast at least a week in advance and was very accurate. her logic was that they should have sheltered in place and particularly should not have gone north of all places. A real world example I can give you is one that my wife shares with her staff at the hospital. You can stay at the hospital or you can go home, it's your call but if you get called in while on call, you are expected to be here with in the allotted time. You are also expected to be here for your shift, you choose whatever course allows you to do so. My career has always had the same expectation. That's real life experiences and I am aware that some will scoff and say that is unreasonable, and you are entitled to your opinion. I just don't share it.
 

greenbean.sixpack

All-American
Oct 6, 2012
8,759
8,024
113
Is the really a national story? Cause I haven't seen it other than here and FB.

I paid my way through college, so my parents weren't privy to any grades, but even if they had paid for me I can't imagine them emailing a teacher (of course email hadn't popularized at that time).
 

SoJxnVol

Redshirt
Nov 30, 2025
28
25
13
Harsh? No. *****? Yes. I can think of a lot of things to have that sort of tone and my *** being in a classroom is not one of them. Colleges these days keep proving their non worthiness and I hope it keeps going. Learning more on the job is worth a lot more than having your nose stuck in a damn book.
 
Mar 2, 2008
1,307
982
113
Should have had an English instructor proofread it before she sent it. Maybe she would've learned that you don't switch verb tense in the middle of a sentence AND it might have given her time to chill and say, "maybe I shouldn't send this."
That said, whoever got butthurt and broadcast the email is a bigger problem than an instructor who sends a snarky email about class attendance.
 

OopsICroomedmypants

All-Conference
Sep 29, 2022
1,954
2,669
113
I had Judge Ishee for Business Law back in the day and wasn't doing all that great in the class. I learned he loved quail hunting, so I told him he could hunt on our farm. He had a good hunt and I miraculously got an A in class participation. I rarely participated....was very grateful for a pretty good final grade......
I went to his house and moved some furniture for him after class one day. Super cool Civil War era house. He's a cool guy too.
 
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Mar 2, 2008
1,307
982
113
I was a TA for a language lab in my time at State. I took attendance because the department made me include it as part of the grade. Hated doing it.
 

skip dog

Senior
Nov 15, 2005
1,122
710
93
Here is what I see (not getting into all this FERPA crap y'all are hemorrhaging over)

1. Math instructor is a bit bitchy w/ a subtle inferiority complex, but she plainly stated her expectation to her classes

2. MSU email trumps math instructors email, and if the problem entered into the students world b/c they skipped, as a student, I would argue University email overrides instructor (but I think the university gave the instructor some leverage)

3. As a parent, if you are emailing the university / instructor over this YOU ARE THE PROBLEM !! This is not even remotely open to argue that you were just looking out for little johnny or little sally.......they are in college to learn more about, and develop greater skills, in order to go out in the world and be a productive member of the society that can follow and obey laws and act reasonably when things don't go there way, AND get along with other folk

4. Mommas.......you are possibly one of the most valuable and beloved components of the family unit, but get the kiddos off the teet and allow them to grow up, have failures, recover, and accomplish on their on!!

5. Dads, be there for momma so little Johnny and Sally can go learn how to do life own their own and be a valuable member of society

6. Math instructor should get a raise for effectively and professionally displaying her bitchiness

7. Any pics of aformentioned math instructor? single? cute?

BONUS: we totally would have stayed on campus and had a blast playing and drinking!! AND, we would have made class and gotten those brownie points with that instructor.
 

patdog

Heisman
May 28, 2007
56,605
25,895
113
in my opinion, she basically states that the students were aware of the immanent storm, it was forecast at least a week in advance and was very accurate. her logic was that they should have sheltered in place and particularly should not have gone north of all places. A real world example I can give you is one that my wife shares with her staff at the hospital. You can stay at the hospital or you can go home, it's your call but if you get called in while on call, you are expected to be here with in the allotted time. You are also expected to be here for your shift, you choose whatever course allows you to do so. My career has always had the same expectation. That's real life experiences and I am aware that some will scoff and say that is unreasonable, and you are entitled to your opinion. I just don't share it.
I don’t think being a university student and being a hospital nurse are really comparable situations.
 

patdog

Heisman
May 28, 2007
56,605
25,895
113
Here is what I see (not getting into all this FERPA crap y'all are hemorrhaging over)

1. Math instructor is a bit bitchy w/ a subtle inferiority complex, but she plainly stated her expectation to her classes

2. MSU email trumps math instructors email, and if the problem entered into the students world b/c they skipped, as a student, I would argue University email overrides instructor (but I think the university gave the instructor some leverage)

3. As a parent, if you are emailing the university / instructor over this YOU ARE THE PROBLEM !! This is not even remotely open to argue that you were just looking out for little johnny or little sally.......they are in college to learn more about, and develop greater skills, in order to go out in the world and be a productive member of the society that can follow and obey laws and act reasonably when things don't go there way, AND get along with other folk

4. Mommas.......you are possibly one of the most valuable and beloved components of the family unit, but get the kiddos off the teet and allow them to grow up, have failures, recover, and accomplish on their on!!

5. Dads, be there for momma so little Johnny and Sally can go learn how to do life own their own and be a valuable member of society

6. Math instructor should get a raise for effectively and professionally displaying her bitchiness

7. Any pics of aformentioned math instructor? single? cute?

BONUS: we totally would have stayed on campus and had a blast playing and drinking!! AND, we would have made class and gotten those brownie points with that instructor.
3, 4 & 5 - couldn’t agree more.
 
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Raiderdawg

Sophomore
Oct 31, 2015
173
167
43
Taking roll is mandated by the federal government to review students receiving financial aid.

You have to submit reports that students did or did not attend classes, and students who don’t attend classes will be contacted by university officials.

That reporting requirement isn’t really enforced at all institutions equally. I usually only got asked about attendance for specific students on academic probation or athletes.

I rarely took role past the first week, even in small lectures. Forget about a 200+ person lecture. Not a baby sitter.
 
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Maroon Eagle

All-American
May 24, 2006
17,961
7,765
102
That reporting requirement isn’t really enforced at all institutions equally. I usually only got asked about attendance for specific students on academic probation or athletes.

More of the focus is on students with academic issues… that’s for sure.

I rarely took role past the first week, even in small lectures. Forget about a 200+ person lecture. Not a baby sitter.

Yep. Not unusual for colleges to just ask folks to be sure that there is some participation either…
 

TroyMcClure2025

Sophomore
Aug 1, 2025
152
157
43
Looks like a great email to me. Wait until you graduate and tell you boss you won’t be in on Monday because you traveled over the weekend. You won’t get fired for that alone, just as this teacher didn’t say it would necessarily have any negative impact on your grades. People are whiners.
Meh. I’ve never really bought in to the “work is a parallel to school” thing. My employer is paying me to be there on Monday morning. I’m paying this idiot with an inflated sense of self-worth for the honor to sit in her class. Big difference in my opinion. If I can’t make it, that’s on me. I paid rent for that seat for the semester.
 

golferdog

Senior
Jan 1, 2024
956
762
93
The whole thing is blown way out of proportion. It's a non-event, just somebody for people to attack on social media.
 
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OG Goat Holder

Heisman
Sep 30, 2022
12,216
11,300
113
The whole thing is blown way out of proportion. It's a non-event, just somebody for people to attack on social media.
She deserves to take some heat for being so tone deaf and ignorant. Quick search of her shows she has a ChemE degree but at a university teaching math? She might be mad at the world.

But that's as far as it goes. Absolutely should not be fired or really even reprimanded.
 

The Peeper

Heisman
Feb 26, 2008
15,379
10,503
113
In my very unqaulified opinion - the tone seems like there's a sort of satisfaction from her being in a position of power and only focusing on what she would do in that situation and punishing others for not thinking just like her. Which shows, at the least, a lack of empathy. You don't know what other people are dealing with, what 'choices' they have, and starting from a "They're only trying to use a crisis as a means to miss my class" or some other anecdotal fallacy is an immature and self centered egotistical way to think. The mutual exclusivity of prioritizing policy over well-being is also dumb as I've seen this play out in the corporate world and the return on investment is almost always 0.

The chefs kiss is it's so comically antithetic to the bible verse she's got in quotations below. No, she shouldn't be fired BUT hopefully her manager will show her some empathy, and coach her on emtional intelligence and self awareness and she'll come away better for it as every mistake is a learning opportunity. Seems like these days the world could do with a little more empathy.

You and golfer need to get together and discuss the worlds problems, solve them, write a book, and go on a signing tour, because yall sound like 2 peas in a pod.........
 

The Peeper

Heisman
Feb 26, 2008
15,379
10,503
113
I was a TA for a language lab in my time at State. I took attendance because the department made me include it as part of the grade. Hated doing it.
I don't know what the law said in the early 80's but the vast majority of instructors NEVER took roll, EVER.

For the ones that did it would be easy to cheat their numbers because most would open up a manilla folder w/ the "seating chart" on it. The chart was a layout of the room and they just looked to see if there was an as-s in the seat or not, didn't matter the name or sex of the student sitting. They would put a red dot if someone wasn't sitting in the seat and if ever questioned about attendance they would look back and say Mr. Smith had X number of absences (red dots) this semester. If you wanted to pay somebody, get your girlfriend, or whatever to sit in your seat it would work in that scenario
 
Mar 2, 2008
1,307
982
113
Well, it is a good lesson on you adapting to the world, the world doesn't adapt to you. I've certainly gotten worse letters and emails from my past clients and employers. If anything, maybe the student learned a lesson.
Since the parent got butthurt and took it upon themselves to "fix it", I'm guessing the student didn't learn anything good.

Jeebus - an unexcused absence is the consequence? *clutches pearls*
You won't get the email with lecture notes? Does your student not have a classmate that will give them the class notes?
 

thekimmer

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2012
8,069
2,085
113
This could present a liability risk for the University in that the actions of an agent of the school might prompt students to travel in hazardous conditions when they would not have otherwise. Should they get in an accident and are hurt or, God forbid, killed trying to get back for math class that very likely would put the university in legal jeopardy. Not to mention I would not want to have on my conscience for the rest of my life that my actions led to a young person's death.

Based on the university's email posted earlier, I would imagine this instructor was politely but firmly told to knock it off.