Ok, specifically sought out this site to get some answers.
I'm an my final year of an MFA program. I've been teaching my own classes for two of those years. While in grad school, I've maintained good academic standing, have invented a completely new technique that changes my field, been internationally published (first grad in my department) and will be speaking at an international convention.
Anyway, We recently lost the head of the department and the individual responsible for the undergraduate program stepped up to fill the position. He treats our undergrads as if they are children, allowing them to put forth little effort with no consequences. Because of this, the grads are expected to pick the majority of the work maintaining the studios and facilitating activities for our guild.
After losing my limmited studio time (for the umpteenth time) to making up work assigned to the undergrads, I ended up suggesting to that they step up to thier responsibilities in the program.
One of them sent out an email to the entire department mocking me (we've had multiple complaints about this student in the past and issues with her disparaging the department on social media) . I forwarded it to our proffessors so they were aware of, what is essentially, bullying tactics. I made the request that it remain anonymous and that I not be involved further.
So, the head of the department dealt with this publicly by announcing that I need to show more respect for the undergraduates. I was publiy punished for reporting behavior in confidentiality.
The head of the department then went of to tell me that I shouldn't email about behavior I find concerning because it is "a record" and went on to threaten my letter of recommendation unless I "show respect" to this particular student, mentioning that he was the one who voted yay on my application
I had worked in government before grad school and all of these actions raised a red flag in how it was handled.
I'm beyond frustrated. I feel like I should address it with the drama, but I only have one semester to go.
Any suggestions?