Some girls in my astronomy class threatened to kick my ass today.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

All because I shushed them. Every day, they whisper and giggle so that it's hard for everyone else to concentrate. So today, having lost my patience, I shushed them. Apparently now I'm warranted an ass kicking. What's even funnier about this situation, they are two girls who have aged out of the juvenile system, and I had them at the detention center where I've worked for the last three years.
Duckie

[SheilaT]

1. Are there no class rules

about whispering and giggling? Is there no principal to refer them to?

[YellowRubberDuckie]

3. I'm in college.

And the guy who teaches this particular class is a physicist, and they're not the most assertive people, from what I've noticed.
Duckie

[Catshrink]

5. The physicist teacher has a responsibility to the class

to maintain a learning environment. If he doesn't act, discuss it with the department chair. At the very least, I would report the incident to campus security for documentation.

But talk to the instructor first, give him a chance to respond appropriately. This can turn into a learning experience for the instructor also.

Don't put up with the crap.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

6. The girl that heard them threaten me went to talk to him.

I'll find out tomorrow what he said.
Duckie

[Catshrink]

7. And please talk to him yourself...

as an adult, take responsibility for your education.

I think it needs to be documented by campus security. These two probably act out in other classes as well.

[Catshrink]

2. Is this HS or college?

either way, the instructor needs to be aware of this situation and how it is interfering with your learning. He or she especially needs to be aware of the threat. The two students need to be separated at the very least.

If it's college, you paid money for the course and have every right to get your money's worth.

If it's HS, depending on the school, the admin may get involved. If a student is threatened at our school, that student is supported and the offenders themselves are dealt with.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

4. College

[Pithlet]

9. Wow, college?

It sounds like they think they're still in high school. What childish, immature behavior. I would think this was a matter you coud take up with the police if they threated you directly.

[Maddy McCall]

11. As a college instructor, let me tell you what you should do.

Go to the dean of students of your college and file a complaint. Tell him/her that you don't want to stir up trouble, but you want your complaint on record should they actually attempt to carry out their threat.

These students may already be on probation. The dean of students can look at their record and decide how best to handle this.

If your instructor is approachable, then you can go to him. Don't go to the chair of the department until you have discussed this with the instructor.

You can go to the dean of students without having to involve the department. In your case, this isn't a problem with a prof, but with other students, and your dean of students has ultimate authority to handle this...and he can do so without involving the department.

Hope this advice helps.

[Catshrink]

12. Much better advice than mine...

I don't know the college system. I agree that filing a complaint with the Dean of students is important. Get it on record. Imagine if you do nothing and next semester the same thing happens so someone else, but they actually follow through on their threats. You would have established a history.

Or, as jchild said, they may already have a history.

As for hearsay: someone else heard them say this, right? You have a witness.

Do something!!

[Maddy McCall]

16. When I was student teaching a college course, I was threatened by...

a student. In front of the class, this student threatened me with physical violence and verbally abused me.

Because I was a student, even though I was teaching, I went to the dean of students. For the physical threat, the student was expelled from the university for a semester (after a hearing).

When you are physically threatened by another student, the best place to go is to the dean of students. People who intimidate other students with violence have NO PLACE in the university system. Feel no guilt for what happens to them. They obviously don't want to be there--they interrupt class and threaten others. They need to be anywhere but in a classroom.

(Thanks for the compliment, catshrink. :-) )

[Exgeneral]

I'd just go with the flamethrower

nothing shuts a parolee up like a good scorching

[YellowRubberDuckie]

10. It's all hear-say or whatever...

They can't do anything because someone said something immature and rude.
Duckie

[sangh0]

13. No it's not hearsay

You have a witness, and besides, it's a college, not a criminal court.

[Maddy McCall]

19. Yep.

Having a witness is important--I would take this to the DoS and have my witness accompany me. Assholes like those students do not have a place in college.

[JCRobinhood]

15. Bad apples vs. good eggs

As an instructor at a community college, I feel your pain. It seems like students of all ages are getting more and more disrespectful, whiiiiiney and down-right mean!
I have to agree with the comment that you should take responsibility for your learning--talk to the instructor first. It's his/her job to foster a safe, productive learning environment so do your part by informing them so they can act on it before things escalate.

Good luck!

[Catshrink]

17. Welcome to DU, JCRobinhood!

good post.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

22. Thanks for the nice comments...AND WELCOME TO DU!!

[Lestat]

8. Kick the bitches asses before they kick yours.

That way, they'll learn never to threaten you again. :)

[PittPoliSci]

23. in addition...

FIGHT DIRTY! :-) Cheap shot them, you're outnumbered, it's okay.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

24. Naw....one of them grovelled and cried at me in the joint...

So they don't count as two...maybe one and a half. They're tough on the outside, but inside, they were bawling like titty babies.
Duckie

[Lefty48197]

26. Pull their hair, and scratch them

it'll be a hoot!

[DrWeird]

14. Get a better grade than them.

Then rub it in their faces.

[Maddy McCall]

18. Something tells me that these are the type of students who...

couldn't care less about grades. Sounds like the type of students who skirt by every class--happy to get a D just to get out of there.

But get a good grade--for your own satisfaction, YRD. Know that your future is MUCH brighter than theirs.

[DrWeird]

20. If it's college...

they'll likely drop out. And they'll remember clearly that student who rubbed it in their faces.

[ElectroPrincess]

21. Think of some witty retort to put them in their place ...

It ain't gonna happen and they think that they've zapped you in the put-down category. When they threaten you again, think of something witty ... <silly but of this nature> "Hey, sure, let me know, Mary Kate and Ashley, when you're done kickin' ass in detention."

Or any other retort convey your belief that their previous comments were inane.

[tigereye]

25. pretty bad if you have to shush people in a college class

must be pretty immature. And it must be hard to deal with kids you had to work with previously. Don't let people threaten you. Although bullies are usually pretty soft on the inside...

I once had to shush people in the psych library when I was in grad school. That was pretty bad, too.

Good luck.