Week Two: An Improvement

This week went a lot better. Probably because I stopped freaking out about it being the first week of teaching. And also because it appears my students decided (for the moment at least) to actually complete their reading assignments.

That being said, I did have one OMG moment this week.

I have one student, let's call him Jim, who hasn't shown up to class at the University. My classes there are MW classes only. And because the first week we had MLK day, we started on Wednesday. So, we've had 3 total class periods. He missed the first and second. He shows up on the third, only after his roommate, who also happens to be in the class, told him that he had to come talk to me about why he had yet to show up. (His roommate had informed me during our second class meeting that he was his roommate, and I asked him to have him come talk to me.)

So, he comes to class. He sits in the front row, RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, and refuses to participate. He won't speak. He didn't even write the short in-class writing assignment I had them do. He sat there doodling on his notebook.

He comes up to me after class and says he came today because his roommate said he had to talk to me. The conversation went something like this (and yes, I am correcting some of the grammar in some spots):

Me: So, where have you been the last week and a half?
J: My Mom was sick.
Me: You're going to have to give me more than that. I don't mean to pry in your personal business, but if you're going to be missing a week's worth of class, I need more information.
J: Well, she has arthritis.
My head: Um, WTF?
Me: And her arthritis caused you to miss a week of classes?
J: Well, she had an attack in the car.
[Let's just ignore the fact that people do not have arthritis "attacks" and keep going.]
Me: So?
J: Well, my Dad had to go get her. And she called me. And then I had to talk to my Dad. (and I'm pretty sure he said something about going to a hospital--wth.)
Me: And these phone calls took a week and a half? And had to occur during your class time?
J: Well, no. The rest of the week I've been trying to get my books and stuff.
Me: It doesn't take a week to buy books. And the book store is open around our class times. And other students have managed to come to class without books, get the assignments done, and participate. So you still need to come.
J: Okay.
Me: You're only allowed 4 absences for the semester. You've used two. You're not being excused for those. In the future, if you do have a legitimate emergency, you need to let me know, prior to class time.
J: Okay.
Me: And you should probably access a copy of the syllabus on [the online class system] to see the full course policies and readings/assignments schedule.

He left. WTF. Arthritis attack? Had to buy his books? Does he think I'm that stupid? I'll bet he fails. Or withdraws.