But I TRIED

Grading is such a sucky part of teaching. As the nyt piece discusses, everyone wants an A for effort. I have a student who is planning to come see me to plead with me to give let her pass last semester's course - yes, the semester that has been over for months now. Suddenly she realizes that that F is going to be devestating to some scholarship. So I have to say, no, there is no legitimate reason to change your grade at this point. I extended the paper deadline. I offered optional assignments. It is too late. Its over. My classes are not that difficult. Everyone who works with me is going to pass the thing. But the "oh please, I tried, and I was sick, and the world was crashing around me" pleading, oh man it is no fun. and it might even be all true. students have drama. serious drama! but I cannot include a grading dimension for difficulty of living. i can barely figure out how to mathmatically incorporate an extra credit assignment. but how cold do professors (and part time adjuncts) have to be? and I do not want to be a pushover and I do not want to be unfair to the other students that worked or failed fairly. My only defenses are: have a clear syllabus and clear expectations, and stick to my guns. Be sensitive and understanding when there is an oportunity to do something fairly - like extending deadlines and etc. Still, no way around it, there will be occasional begging for a grade change that is simply not earned. Bleck. Oh, and its important to keep good records, which in this particular instance might be a disaster - I think I have lost my records when I had the computer fiasco. Everyone please cross your fingers that that does not cause some terrible problem. ohmy. Im not in the mood for this.