Resolving Student/Teacher Conflict

It is always better to address problems early in the semester so there is time for intervention and resolution. Saving a complaint until the end of the semester, when completing the course evaluations forms, may benefit future students, but does little to satisfy current students. In resolving a conflict with your instructor, it is helpful to request individual conference time, and when meeting, to express your dissatisfaction to the teacher in a nonconfrontational way. Be explicit about how your expectations are not being met, or about changes the teacher could make that would help your understanding of the course material or your participation in the course. If you are disputing a grade on an assignment, be specific about which of the instructor's comments or other indications of evaluation criteria are not clear to you, and how you feel you did meet these criteria. If you cannot resolve any conflict with your instructor through these measures, you should contact one of the Associate Directors of Academic Programs. Each Associate Director supervises specific disciplines, and you should call the SCS front desk to find out which individual director you should talk to. The Associate Director will interview you, and will make specific suggestions to you on further steps you might take in working with your instructor, or in some circumstances, will work with you and the instructor until the conflict is resolved.