Spring 2012, I complained about sexism, sexual harassment, and ineptitude with the Dpt. Head about this particular instructor twice. I dropped his class after he creeped on me when no one else was around and waited two years for the opportunity to take the class with a different instructor.
Now, I am faced with a dilemma.
I only have 3 classes left in my degree plan – all required.
One of those 3 classes is only taught by him.
It took multiple other students complaining about his ineptitude in order to convince the Dpt. Head to allow another instructor to teach that first class that I dropped. For whatever reason, none of us are being given an option this semester. Spring 2014 I emailed the Dpt. Head asking if we would have a choice for the 2nd required class that he teaches, and my email was ignored.
Here’s where I need advice:
I know not to be alone with him again, but I would like to record (preferably video) every word that comes out of his mouth any time I have to be around him. (It’s a 4 hr. lecture/lab class where we’re basically on our own as far as teaching ourselves, but not allowed to leave except for short breaks).
BUT…
We’re all forced to sign an acknowledgement form that we read the Syllabus which explicitly prohibits any and all recording devices without express permission from everyone in class. I’m in Texas, so only one of us needs to know I’m recording, but I’m signing an acknowledgement not just about him but about the other students also stuck in this idiot’s class.
I would like to email the Dpt. Head and copy the Dean informing them that since I have lodged two prior complaints against him for inappropriate behavior and ineptitude or flat out refusal to “instruct” for which he is paid (and by tax payers since I’m on Financial Aid), waited two years in order to take the other class from another instructor, and am now not given a choice of instructors, I will be forced to record every moment I’m around him because he can’t be trusted and they let me down. Permission or none, I’m going to do it. (I’ll word it differently.)
Here’s what he said to me when the two of us were alone in the lab, and it’s the last thing he ever said to me as I never returned to his class:
Him: Soooo is your husband or significant other going to whisk you off to a tropical paradise for Spring Break?
Me: Um, no. I don’t have one of those anymore.
Him: Oh come on! You’re an attractive girl; I’m sure you can find a man to pay your way and take care of you.
I wasn’t quite sure if he was coming on to me or trying to tell me to stop this silly nonsense of getting a degree in a “man’s” area of work, and get back to “women’s work” with my sexy bits.
[I’ve tried that twice and twice it’s been thrown in my face that I don’t work, and that the money is the man’s, so F THAT; but I didn’t tell him that.]
He also told a male student in another class to get, “this pretty young hot thing to tutor you, if you know what I mean” referring to the only female in that class and in front of the whole class.
She complained about him alongside me the second time I, face-to-face, complained to the Dpt. Head (who recorded both instances with a little spy pen but didn’t tell us about it - we're not stupid).
I feel like I’m stuck in a time warp.
I really need advice!
Note: No one that I know of, myself included has filed an official complaint in writing. I looked at the protocol for complaints, and step one is to confront the abuser which still ain’t gonna happen, and there was a time line that had expired, so I didn’t think I could file it “officially.”