u/yousoundlikeyou2

So, I teach an unnamed Intro class at a D1 university...but I'm not at their main campus (I'm at a commuter campus). Most of our students have some pretty significant challenges that kept them from qualifying for main campus, and my campus isn't great at supporting them. That's one of the major problems there.

Recently I've come to think that, as I teach an Intro class that seems to be recommended to incoming freshman as being an "easy" class, I am being used to help weed out students. My class isn't easy, and it requires a bit of reading comprehension (this is a huge lacuna for most of the students), and this one particular Intro class seems to attract a not-great quality of student (disinterested, unmotivated, heavy absences...). I teach two other "Intro" classes (different subjects) that do not attract this type of student--they are a more average representation of student interest/absences and greater ability.

ANYWAY, my issue is this: I believe the University already knows, or at least greatly suspects, that these students will not graduate. They are given one semester, they fail their classes, they are put on academic probation, can't make the requisite GPA, and are released to the wilds with a crapton of debt that they never should have amassed in the first place. I think it's intentional, and I think they are setting these students up to fail.

These students are soooo different from my other sudents in that they are totally unprepared for college work in every way. They have likely been done a disservice in their educational journey before me, but it doesn't change the fact that they cannot get through the most basic requirements of a course. My problem is that I (and their other professors, almost all of whom are also adjuncts) am eventually cited as a reason as to why they can't stay...because they failed my (our) class.

It bothers me immensely to be part of this system; I genuinely believe this population of student is being exploited to bring in LOTS of money to the University. And I don't want to be a part of this any more. Suggestions on how to go forward that don't include quitting or setting fire to my classroom would be appreciated.

/end of rant

Hey all--I could use some advice. I live in a 100-year old house with shiplapping and original windows (lots of air leaks). I replaced a 20-year old Trane with a new one, complete with entirely new ductwork throughout, and they added an additional air intake panel, doubling the original capacity. The first night with it I had asthma for the first time in years, which has persisted.

I asked the technicians to install the heavy-duty anti-allergen filters (Aprille 213s), but two months later I'm still affected. I am horrifically allergic to cats; the only thing I can imagine is that someone had cats in this house previous to my owning it (highly possible...again, it's 100 years old).

As an aside, I've stayed in 7 hotels over the past two months since it was installed (I travel for work), and the asthma cleared up as soon as I left my house--I'm pretty positive it's the new system.

Can anyone help me with this--any recommendations on what else I could do to alleviate the asthma? Has anyone else seen this before? Thank you!

hey houston! my usual second-hand dress places aren't panning out for me...could anyone please recommend any resale stores that have some in stock? looking for a floor length formal dress for a fancy-schmancy dallas wedding. thank you!!!

Very long and disgusting story short, my dog had tummy troubles on a ride home from airport, and I think the smell might kill us all. I've spent 2 hours trying to clean it all out, but it still smells absolutely terrible. Like I'm seriously thinking about leaving the keys in it and seeing what happens.

Failing that, who in town can clean out a leather interior and make it smell at best neutral again?