What happens when a professor passes?

[Anonymous]

A High Point University professor sadly passed and my kids have friends attending who were passing around counseling information, but what actually happens to the classes and the students enrolled when a professor is unable to finish teaching due to medical issues or passes away? Similarly, how are classes at Michigan State going in the wake of the shooting and can these kids be expected to rebound and succeed in these classes despite the ongoing trauma?

[Anonymous]

someone steps in?

[Anonymous]

When I taught at a community college, a colleague had a stroke. We took turns teaching his courses for six weeks until the semester ended. The department chair visibly aged during that time.

[Anonymous]

Another faculty member steps in. It’s unfortunate and the sub does the best they can.

[Anonymous]

It's really okay to say the words "die" "dies" and "dead."

[Anonymous]

My DS had a professor who had a medical issue and had to take extended leave. Interestingly, the professor's son was also a professor in the same subject and took over the course.

[Anonymous]

Open a window, it will clear out in 5-10 mins

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's really okay to say the words "die" "dies" and "dead."

It's also OK to say passed. Everyone knows what both words mean.

[Anonymous]

A's for everyone!

[Anonymous]

You have a colleague step in.

This has never happened - and hopefully never happens - in my department, but we have had adjuncts not work out, people quit, and circumstances that require people to leave or step away for a long time. One of us who has taught the class before just steps in (admittedly, it is a much lower standard when this happens). But we also have some adjuncts we can ask. This would add an extra element of sensitivity, and we'd likely create a situation where the class becomes Pass/Fail that semester (or all As), and try to concentrate the learning in class as opposed to outside of class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's really okay to say the words "die" "dies" and "dead."

It's also OK to say passed. Everyone knows what both words mean.

But is it really? Why as a culture are we so afraid or unable to say what we mean when it comes to death? The professor died. Just say it. The professor died.

But to your bigger question. The university will find a way to cover the remaining material. Counseling can be sought for those needing it. During the break it will be determined how the class will be taught in the future. If it was a class that only that professor was an expert in, then don't expect to see it in the curriculum. But if its a generic class - another professor will be hired, or the duties will shift to someone already on payroll.

[Anonymous]

When I was in graduate school, one of my professors died during the semester, and another professor in the department stepped in to finish it out. Depending on the course and when in the semester the death occurred, I imagine a department might alternatively hire an adjunct to finish teaching the course (for an undergraduate survey course, for example).