Some of the students took steps to identify classmates who had decided on their own to concentrate on getting “A’s” in other classes. These classmates were targeted for the harshest criticisms of all by the vocal majority and repeatedly chastised for being greedy and selfish.
When the all important comprehensive final exam was taken class performance went from bad to worse. The class average was a very low “F”. To the great surprise of most students in the class, this particular business professor made good on his part of the agreement. He failed every single student.
Some students paid a visit to the professor after grades were released seeking mercy. In these meetings the lesson was explained. In the real world, the professor counseled, when presented with a similar situation, rational hard working business people would have had the foresight to understand the importance of properly structuring performance incentives, project the inevitable outcome of the flawed grading system, drop the class, and simply sign up for the same course the following semester.
The industrious students reconciled themselves to the idea that at least they had the “A’s” they had earned in other classes to help their grade point averages.
Some of the students who believed in the inherent fairness of the grading system but made little or no effort to contribute blamed the professor, the university, and the selfishness of their greedy classmates for their failing grade. They solemnly vowed to continue to fight for social justice and sign up for easier classes in the future.
