is it unreasonable?

Is it unreasonable for me to expect my adviser to respond to my emails? He had to cancel our scheduled meeting this week because something came up. He asked me to email him to set up another meeting, and I did. But he never responded to it. I send him the draft of my project and he hasn't responded to that either. It seems like he doesn't care as I know that he replies to the emails of other students.

No, it's not unreasonable but all sorts of things can go wrong with emails, especially when busy people are sending/receiving so many. Think of the organization alone that an advisor would have to do with 8-10+ students; if he sucks at it. . .

I'd either call him and politely tell him you think there's something wrong with his email box because you haven't heard back from him and you've sent him a couple things or I'd drop by his office if you can and poke your head in and just ask, "did you get my emails?". Sometimes it takes multiple tries or a length of time, etc. depending on what's going on with a person.

Perna- The thing is that there are times when at the beginning of our meetings he will answer emails having to do with facebook after he is already late. I know he is getting my emails. It is just he is deciding not to respond to them.

But how can you be sure he doesn't do this to all students? (answer facebook emails after he is already late) and that he always responds quickly and easily to other students?

What do you want from him? It doesn't sound like he is going to answer your emails quickly and easily. Who knows why? But, if the problem is that you want a response, then you might have to just keep asking the question? Squeaky wheels do get greased and who knows; other students you talk to may not send emails as often and get "lucky" when they do or they may send a whole lot more emails than you do and not think about it and just say, "yeah, he answers my email" because technically, eventually, he does?

If he doesn't like you and deliberately, with malice aforethought doesn't answer your emails, you still have the problem of having to set up another appointment, so you have to keep asking until you set up another appointment?

I often don't think certain people like me or will think negatively about relations with others but it really just boils down to what do I want; what is the "question"/problem. Yours is not to get him to change/like you but to set up another appointment. Concentrate on that actual task instead of the unpleasant personal possibilities and things (for me, when I do that) aren't as ugly feeling to me. Tasks are just tasks and some are harder or take longer or whatever but they're all doable. Trying to wander through the minefield of human emotions and interactions, on the other hand, sometimes gets me blown up

I tend to think along the same lines as Perna. I stopped attributing why Profs or anyone does what they do, just focus on the end result b/c there is no way of actually knowing what they think and we also have no power to change them even if we knew why. The only exception is to figure out the best way to reach them.

Squeaky wheel does get heard with professors in my experience, whether they like me or not, they will not ignore me. I'm here for an education and I have things to do to fulfill that. Half of their job is to help me to that. If I need an appointment or help with something, I will continue to f/u until that happens, be it email, phone call or in person, until it happens. That's true at school or in business as well.

The professors forget sometimes, being focused on their research, the students are the other half of their jobs. Some professors, like many others out there, are not always good at prioritizing and sorting through what comes their way. It's up to you to ask for and get what you need.

It would be nice if all took interest, were considerate, and were prompt in their replies, but at school and in business as well, this is typically not the case unfortunately. I remember this too when dealing with others so I treat others as I wish to be treated.

I would call or go find him to pin him down to set up the appointment if he's not responding to an email request. Just say, I hadn't heard back from you but that we need to meet, when is the best time for you this week? Never leave it open-ended, what times best for you? Could be 3 weeks or a month from now. Gives you what you need, puts pressure on him and a time is requirement. Will more than likely fit you in this week, but if does need to move it to next week, if that's ok, do not leave w/o a confirmed date.

Good luck!!

My adviser tends not to answer emails either, and I know (cause he's said so) that if he's rushed or whatever, he deletes things without reading them. What works for me is that if there's something really really important (like, that I need his signature for something) I will put something like URGENT READ THIS in the title. And then he will deal with it. But I am careful not to do that unless he really really needs to be involved.

(My adviser tends not to read my project reports either. But he is very helpful about getting me equipment or whatever if I need it, so I consider him very supportive. ) (Professors are like that, you just have to appreciate whatever they give.)

-Far

You should go see him personally. Ask if he got your emails. If it continues to be a huge problem, perhaps you could ask for a different advisor?

Is this someone where you can just pop into his office for a second to ask him to set up the meeting right then?

I used to get really mad when people would do that until I got so busy I started doing it myself. I have the emails....I think about responding but I'm rarely in a situation where I can sit down and process everything the person wants. Thank god for this iPhone, I'll tell you that.

If this is something that has a set deadline, since it is a project, you may need to just be firm with him. I'm not saying yell at him or be disrespectful. But just tell him, this is a requirement to have it done by a certain date.

My boyfriend's adviser is like this. He will complain about not getting his revisions on his thesis. So he sends his thesis EARLY and still wont get revisions back for weeks. He was supposed to graduate A YEAR ago! Don't let this happen to you. I wish he would have put his foot down with this guy a year ago but he keeps letting him drag it on.

He got the emails. He apologized for not getting back to me. He told me I did a good job on the project. It is just annoying when it feels like he is ignoring me. He doesn't have an open door policy, so I can't just stop by his office.

Does he have posted office hours or is he just completely unavailable? I really don't understand how people can call themselves educators when they are never available to students.

Me either! We were required to have posted office hours--and to keep them--most everywhere I taught!