Legal Question in Education Law in California

Is it illegal for a college debate professor to offer substantial amounts of extra credit to students for these students to enter a debate department fundraiser golf tournament? Tournament cost $150 per entrant. Obviously not a fair situation, but is this illegal?


Asked on 3/27/12, 8:30 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Andrew Harrell W. Andrew Harrell, Attorney at Law

If this means of earning course credit was not in the professor's syllabus/course outline at the beginning of the course, then, to the extent the syllabus/course outline constitutes a contract between the student and the university,this "add on" is improper and cannot either benefit or harm the student--unless all of the students in the class waive the original terms of the syllabus/course outline and allow the professor to modify the agreement. A student who opts out of this extra credit cannot be disadvantaged. Take it up with a senior administrator. If there is a hassle, show them my answer.

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Answered on 3/27/12, 8:38 pm
Andrew Harrell W. Andrew Harrell, Attorney at Law

I see that I answered this question last year. Why is this popping up again? I was a professor and administrator for more than 40 years, and this type of conduct is not only improper but illegal. Why isn't the message getting out? Which university is this?

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Answered on 3/25/13, 5:52 pm


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