Students often assume that teachers are infallible, but when they prove to be only human, students might find themselves dealing with unwelcome changes to a class.
In some cases class work ends up getting pushed back, until there isn’t enough time left.
Psychology freshman Cory Williams from Bossier City, has a teacher that often misses class.
“Normally what happens is we have a day of review before the test, and then he continues with the normal lesson. If possible, another teacher should sub or follow up on lessons.”
Also, since the loss of the Sociology department’s professor Harry Hale, many students from his classes have had to adjust to new teachers and a heavier workload.
Students say the first week after the change was the biggest adjustment.
Amanda Scott, a freshman biology major from Delhi, has never experienced a teacher passing or taking a leave of absence but knows of others who have.
“My roommate, Erin, told me the week after her professor left things were different, but [ULM] had an actual replacement right after that first week, so it wasn’t bad.”
Many of Hale’s students, however, say the change hasn’t been as smooth as they would have liked, and they are looking to the faculty to see what processes are in place to handle this kind of situation.
Stephen Richters, ULM’s Provost, assures that all colleges are prepared for departures.
“The dean of the college ensures that a replacement faculty member is immediately placed in the course(s) vacated by the faculty member who is unable to continue.”
For the long term, “the dean will consider hiring replacement faculty to ensure that sufficient courses are taught to serve our students,” Richters said.
Teachers also have to take medical leave or extended absences for other reasons. Because of the unique nature of each teacher’s situation, it is difficult to decide exactly who will “replace” that person.
For now, students and faculty will have to continue coping with the loss of a professor on a case-by-case basis.
