The case of Professor Woebegone
• Midwestern University is a national football power. The alumni association, which exertsMarketing Research and Data Analysis considerable influence on the university’s affairs, does not tolerate losing teams, and no faculty member or administrator who stands in the way of victory is tolerated. This year Professor Woebegone has had the misfortune of having Roger Rapid, star halfback, in his mathematics class. Roger is, to put it delicately, mathematically challenged. After spending many extra hours with Roger in hopes of dragging him through the course successfully, the professor has been forced to admit failure. On the final exam, Roger has scored 27. Judged by the grading scale in the course, he has failed miserably. Since he is a borderline student in other courses, an F could put Roger on academic probation and make him ineligible for the last crucial game of the season. Without Roger, the team will surely lose the conference title, and Professor Woebegone, who is untenured, will just as surely lose his job. The deadline for submitting grades is fast approaching, and Professor Woebegone has to make a decision. He is inclined to assign Roger a failing grade.