Regarding Teaching and Coursework:
* Unclear expectations: Assignments, grading rubrics, and course policies are vague or inconsistently applied. This leads to student confusion and frustration.
* Unreasonable demands: The workload is excessively heavy or the expectations are unrealistically high given the time constraints and student skill level.
* Dismissive of student questions: Students' questions are brushed off, ignored, or answered in a condescending manner. The professor may show impatience or annoyance.
* Inflexible policies: There's little to no room for flexibility regarding deadlines, missed assignments, or extenuating circumstances.
* Poor communication: The professor is unresponsive to emails or other forms of communication, providing infrequent or delayed feedback.
* Unhelpful feedback: Feedback on assignments is sparse, unhelpful, or focuses solely on negative aspects, without providing constructive suggestions for improvement.
* Bias and favoritism: The professor shows clear preference for certain students, often based on factors unrelated to academic merit.
Regarding Interpersonal Interactions:
* Condescending tone: The professor speaks to students in a patronizing or belittling manner.
* Sarcasm and mockery: The professor uses sarcasm or makes fun of students' questions or contributions.
* Lack of empathy and understanding: The professor fails to acknowledge or address students' concerns or struggles.
* Public humiliation: The professor embarrasses or criticizes students in front of their peers.
* Aggressive or intimidating demeanor: The professor's body language or tone of voice is threatening or intimidating.
* Unprofessional behavior: The professor engages in inappropriate or unprofessional conduct, such as making offensive jokes or comments.
It's important to note that not all professors who are demanding or have high standards are "mean." A truly mean professor goes beyond simply having high expectations; their actions are characterized by a consistent pattern of behaviors that are deliberately hurtful, disrespectful, and undermine the learning environment.