HOUSTON – A nursing professor at Lone Star College's North Harris campus is seen on cellphone video talking to her students about filling out online surveys when the conversation quickly changes directions.
"The surveys are for us to help you," professor Katherine Ralph said. "The school wants to to see what we're doing to help you guys. Who here wanted North Harris? Raise your hand. Look around guys, look around, that means you were second or third choice and other campuses and two other campuses didn't want you. They did not want you."
The 40-second video clip was recorded by a student who told Channel 2 News, the professor was basically telling the class they were enrolled at the North Harris campus of Lone Star College because they weren't smart enough to get in someplace else. The student, who asked to remain anonymous, found the conversation insulting.
"Absolutely," she said. "Inappropriate, yes."
The student, along with some others in the class, went to the dean's office to file a complaint.
"I think they need to know it's not OK to talk to the students that way," she said.
Ralph agrees. She told Channel 2 News by phone emotions were high because it was finals week. Ralph admits she lost her cool and said the students had been raising their voices and yelling at her about filling out the surveys.
"I take full accountability. I was upset and unprofessional," Ralph said. "I wish they taped me five minutes later when I was saying I'm sorry."
The situation is so upsetting to Ralph she decided to resign from the teaching position she has held for almost eight years.
She said she has never had a complaint filed against her before and in 2013 received a faculty excellence award from the college. She is extremely upset and disappointed it had to end this way.
Channel 2 reached out to Lone Star College for a response but never heard back.