It never ceases to amaze me how far people will go out of their way to besmirch my good name. Rate My Professors is one such site. I don’t like it because it quite literally allows anyone to assign ratings to a professor, regardless of whether they attended a single class, submitted a single assignment, or even know the difference between a quarter note and a half note.
In my day, if a student disliked a professor, they had the decency to complain quietly amongst themselves in the privacy of a dorm room or over a cup of coffee. Today, thanks to the wonders of modern technology, all my faults are immortalized on the internet.
I find it particularly offensive that anonymous individuals can sit behind a keyboard and publicly evaluate my teaching, leadership, and character as though they have somehow earned the right to do so. Have they chaired a music department? Have they directed an ensemble? Have they spent years cultivating an image of academic importance? I think not.
Naturally, I choose to believe that every negative review is the work of a disgruntled student who simply could not appreciate my unique leadership style. Surely, the comments about favoritism, poor communication, and questionable decision-making are nothing more than coordinated acts of malice. It is much easier to conclude that the entire internet is wrong than to entertain the possibility that criticism might occasionally have merit.
Still, I must confess that I occasionally visit the site —strictly for research purposes, of course! One has to keep abreast of one’s detractors. It would be irresponsible not to know what lies are being spread in the public square. Besides, if I am being honest, there is a certain thrill in reading a glowing review from one of my more devoted admirers. Those, I assure you, are entirely accurate.
And so I continue to endure the slings and arrows of anonymous undergraduates armed with one-star ratings and clever remarks. Such is the burden of greatness. History has never been kind to misunderstood visionaries.
It is comforting to know that in a world of constant change, some things remain steadfast. Across sixteen years of anonymous reviews, students consistently arrived at the same three conclusions:
- I play favorites with the enthusiasm of a Little League coach
- My communication skills are best described as “interpretive.”
- My leadership style leaves a lasting impression—though perhaps not the one I was hoping for.
While trends come and go, true consistency is the hallmark of greatness. Some professors are remembered for their scholarship, others for their mentorship. Tom Ruscica, apparently, shall be remembered for favoritism, unclear instruction, and interpersonal dynamics worthy of a case study in a freshman psychology course.
Frankly, maintaining the same reputation for over a decade takes commitment. It is reassuring to know that while administrations change, students graduate, and tuition rises, I remain a dependable constant in the lives of those unfortunate enough to cross my path.