Ashley Arnold, a 27-year-old from Idaho Falls, Idaho, found herself at the center of a surprising academic dispute. While completing an online sociology degree at Southern New Hampshire University, she encountered a bizarre challenge from her professor. Arnold, a stay-at-home mom, paid almost $1,000 for a final class where students were required to compare a social norm between the US and another country. What she didn’t expect was for the professor to question Australia’s status as a country.
Social Media Norms Meet an Unbelievable Obstacle
For her project, Arnold chose to compare social media usage in the United States and Australia. She worked diligently on the assignment, unaware that her professor had a different understanding of geography. When Arnold received her grade on February 1st, she was shocked to see she had failed the project, with the professor claiming that Australia wasn’t a country but a continent.
The Professor’s Geography Blunder
At first, Arnold thought it was a joke. How could someone with a PhD in philosophy not recognize that Australia is both a continent and a country? The professor gave Arnold zero points on several sections of the project, stating that her research was invalid because “Australia is a continent; not a country.” The mistake left Arnold frustrated and confused.
A Battle of Emails and Facts
Determined to set the record straight, Arnold wrote a detailed email to the professor. She provided references, including information from Southern New Hampshire University’s own library, stating that Australia is indeed the sixth-largest country in the world. She even pointed out the official name, “Commonwealth of Australia,” to further support her argument. Yet, the professor remained unconvinced.
The Professor Doubles Down
In response, the professor stood by her original assessment, lecturing Arnold on the importance of research accuracy. According to the professor, Arnold’s mistake about Australia being a continent rendered her entire project flawed. She offered to review Arnold’s paper again but maintained her belief that Australia was not a country, despite Arnold’s clear evidence.
Another Attempt to Correct the Record
Arnold continued her attempts to correct the professor’s misunderstanding. She provided even more resources, including a link to the Australian government’s website, which clearly states that Australia is both a country and a continent. Arnold emphasized that her grade was being affected by a simple geographical error on the professor’s part.
University Gets Involved
Realizing that her professor wasn’t going to budge, Arnold escalated the issue by filing a report with the university. She was determined not to let an inaccurate assumption ruin her grade. Arnold also shared her story with BuzzFeed News, concerned that other students might have faced similar issues. She didn’t want anyone else to be wrongly graded for a professor’s error.
The Final Grade Adjustment
After the professor conducted some “independent research” on the matter, Arnold finally received an updated grade—a B+. The professor admitted to having a “misunderstanding” about the distinction between Australia as a country and a continent but didn’t apologize for the original error. Arnold was happy that the grade was changed but noted the professor still had some lingering confusion about Australia’s dual identity.
Resolution and Apology from the University
Arnold’s persistence eventually led to a broader resolution. Southern New Hampshire University, contacted by BuzzFeed News, confirmed they were investigating the matter. The university later apologized to Arnold, replaced the professor, and refunded her tuition for the course. In a public statement, they acknowledged the mistake and assured their commitment to maintaining high academic standards.
No Excuses for the Mistake
When asked why she thought her professor made such a glaring error, Arnold speculated that the professor’s age might have been a factor, jokingly wondering if the professor still believed Australia was part of England. After being informed that Australia became independent over a century ago, Arnold quipped, “Oh, she’s not that old, so there’s no excuse.”
Conclusion: A Lesson in Persistence and Geography
Ashley Arnold’s experience highlights the importance of persistence and standing up for what’s right, even in the face of authority. Her story is a reminder that mistakes can happen, but they should always be corrected. In the end, Arnold was satisfied with the outcome, thankful for the support she received from the university and relieved that her hard work wasn’t for nothing. It was a strange journey, but she ultimately got the grade—and the apology—she deserved.
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