Some professors need to re-evaluate their performance

I started my matriculation as a WSSU student in 2008. I came here with the understanding that I am responsible for my learning and that professors are responsible for presenting the information or course material effectively.
I've had a few classes where the professor used my class time talking about everything except the course information. In one of my courses, the professor arrived in class late very often. But if we the students arrived late, we were fussed out. Professors should lead by example.
WSSU, we have to do better.
My friend told me about a professor who rarely came to class and distributed all the class assignments online. But everyone was given final grades of A's or B's.  She was upset about getting a B. Why?  Because it was a class required for her major and she was unprepared for her next required course.  Students should not complete a class and feel unprepared and end up with a teacher who expects them to be competent in certain areas. I've been in classes where some professor must review basic information because the students don't know the material. This is not because the students didn't study. It is because they were not taught.
My classroom experiences and my conversations with other students have led me to the conclusion that some professors should re-evaluate why they chose to become university educators. Some professors have been teaching at WSSU for many years. I hope and pray it's not because of the breaks throughout the semesters or long summer vacations. I am confident that most of the WSSU teachers really care about what they are doing and the impressions they are having on their students. But I know there are some professors who are just here.
WSSU, we have to do better.
We students complain all the time about the tough teachers -- the ones who assign too many tests and far too much homework. The ones that say, "I don't give grades; students earn them." We hate those teachers, but we need those teachers. For me, I'd rather take a challenging class, where I work hard, do my best, and receive the grade I truly earned. In one of my courses, I completed all of my assignments, attended class on time every day, and still my efforts were not reflected in my final grade. Why? I don't know.
Professors who have been teaching a long time have heard every excuse. But they should be open-minded because not every excuse is a lie, especially when financial aid is involved.  Many times students are unable to purchase books and course materials because of a financial aid glitch. One student, who was waiting for financial aid, told me that a professor told him that he shouldn't be in school if he could not afford to purchase textbooks for that professor's course. Students in that course made photocopies of the chapters, but the professor wouldn't accept that temporary substitution.
WSSU, we have to do better.  
When we turn work in on time, buy our books if we can, study, pay attention in class, then professors should do their jobs as well. When we take advantage of our campus resources such as the tutoring center, professor office hours and the technology at the library, then the professors should do their jobs as well.  
If we all follow this formula, the entire WSSU student body would be qualified to be accepted into the Honors Program.  The Honors Program is for students with a 3.0 GPA or higher and offers a well-rounded education that combines academics with cultural enrichment and community service. The program should have students eagerly waiting to be admitted.
Both students and professors need to produce a proactive classroom environment; professors should teach and students should make their professors teach.  That situation will encourage students to learn and eventually graduate. WSSU, we have to do better.
Remember to pick up the last issue of the semester of The News Argus on Dec. 4 and check out the Ramble Online Poll question at www.thenewsargus.com. Also, make sure you like us on Facebook and send any comments to thenewsargus@yahoo.com.