professor

[anachronistic]

I think that kind of thing happens a lot with professors who teach bigger classes. Most of my classes have no more than 30 people in them, because you have to have a certain GPA and all... therefore every student in the class develops a friendly relationship with the professor, and with the other students in the class. I think the chances of this kind of crap happening are smaller that way.

[jbrowning]

Well, it's only been a few days since he's left, so we haven't spoken since then. I guess time will just take care of this. I appreciate your responses--I think I'm just at the point where I don't really know what to make of it. I'm sure I'll probably look back at these posts and they will make a lot more sense to me after he's not so prominent in my thoughts.

[anodyne]

in fairness to jbrowning (cmon guys, we all went through a stage where we needed some validation, explanation, attention, etc..)

from an outsider id say, it could be:
a) hes probably attracted to you too hence the (technically inappropriate) hugs.
b) he could be trying to take advantage of you by doing something unecessary or unacceptable. but since the hugs didnt not progress to anything more (and that hes left) maybe he was also wise enough to realize she is his student and should be left as that.
c) he could actually was just being friendly, since you said youve developed a friendly bond.
and/or
d) he sees you as his daughter, granddaughter (?)

but whatever it is, he has left and you should let go. youre young, youll find someone more suitable for you. HE will come along...

[lesa]

I had a high school creative writing teacher who was a sex predator. He would ask everyone, especially the female to write papers on their first time, etc. He did inappropriate things too. Later he was fired. I am glad I never had him.

I have had conversations with a man hoping to get a date but we both discovered that he was professor/student or something at the same school but different department. He didn't want to take the chance of any conflict occurring.

In my undergrad my microbio professor dated a student from the same college but different department. He later moved away to another school. He really ruin what he had at that uni.

I've also had several husband/wife professors and of course that is fine. It can be hard sometimes to determine what you should do. For example, my ex was a few years older and wanted to work as a professor eventually in a different college but same university. I was in the natural sciences and he was in business. We were together for many years...what do you do in that situation?

[jbrowning]

in fairness to jbrowning (cmon guys, we all went through a stage where we needed some validation, explanation, attention, etc..)

from an outsider id say, it could be:
a) hes probably attracted to you too hence the (technically inappropriate) hugs.
b) he could be trying to take advantage of you by doing something unecessary or unacceptable. but since the hugs didnt not progress to anything more (and that hes left) maybe he was also wise enough to realize she is his student and should be left as that.
c) he could actually was just being friendly, since you said youve developed a friendly bond.
and/or
d) he sees you as his daughter, granddaughter (?)

but whatever it is, he has left and you should let go. youre young, youll find someone more suitable for you. HE will come along...

In spite of what most people seem to think (and I'm not saying their thoughts are unjustified), I think b is definitely not it, and neither is d. I've known him for a while now, and in my heart of hearts, I really don't think he's a sleaze. Some of you may find that naive of me, but I don't want to remember him badly. I was just confused/surprised when all this happened because I thought our relationship was definitely "c" but it kind of seemed like "a" to me, but I couldn't be sure, and I guess I was just trying to make sense of it all.

I know I have to get over this eventually, and I probably will. I know time has a way of making you forget these things. I just wanted some closure, that's all.

[lesa]

I'm so glad I kept my crushes to celebrities and movie stars when I was a youngster.

Hmmm, Johnny Depp. I wonder does he really like me?

[angelk]

Clearly, the Professor is taking advantage of the situation. Knowing that you like him, instead of giving you advices and tell you is inappropriate, he is suppose to be the adult here, who has 20 over yrs of experience in these kind of thing...stop wondering what it means girl, cause it obviously mean DANGER.. take care..

[anodyne]

I know I have to get over this eventually, and I probably will. I know time has a way of making you forget these things. I just wanted some closure, that's all.

Well, just read the replies on this thread again and take in what is most helpful to you, then you'll have closure.