3.1

Frank Griggs

Business - Grand Valley State University

3.1
Quality
4.0
Difficulty
N/A
Would Retake
107
Reviews
3.1
Quality
4.0
Difficulty
3.2
Helpful
3.1
Clarity

N/A

Would Retake

107

Reviews

Rating Distribution
Official

5

29

4

24

3

17

2

22

1

15

What Students Say

He is a great guy but its just a hard class

FIN320 - 4.0 rating

Does not teach the theory but tests heavily on it

FIN320 - 3.0 rating
Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

0%

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

59% confidence
Based on 3 grades
Most common grades:
B (1)
A- (1)
A (1)
Grade Distribution
A(1)B(1)C(0)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(1)
Based on 3 reported grades
B: 1
A-: 1
A: 1
Rating Trend

Declining

-1.02 avg change
Dec
Feb
Apr
May
Dec
Apr
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

FIN350

5.0

(1)

FIN331

5.0

(1)

GRADPREP

5.0

(3)

320

4.0

(1)

PORTFOLIO

4.0

(1)
+5 more courses
Difficulty by Course

FIN

5.0

FIN320

4.0

FIN350

4.0

FIN428

4.0

PORTFOLIO

4.0

Reviews (107)
5.0
4.0
FIN320
Oct 14, 1999

No Comments

5.0
3.0
FIN320
Oct 14, 1999

very enthusiastic

4.0
4.0
FIN320
Oct 16, 1999

Easy teaching style, tests are hard

5.0
1.0
FIN320
Nov 28, 1999

Overall this guy was excellent. I highly recommend taking his classes.

5.0
4.0
FIN320
Dec 12, 1999

Great Guy!! Just review the book and you will get good grades on his tests.

5.0
4.0
FIN350
Dec 15, 1999

Hilarious! Made finance bearable, if you can believe that!

5.0
2.0
FIN320
Mar 27, 2000

I heard this class was hard. Griggs is an awesome prof and made it easy!

5.0
2.0
FIN320
Jun 23, 2000

very helpful and humorous, cool guy!

4.0
3.0
FIN320
Nov 8, 2000

He's friendly,his tests are hard,be prepared. Hard for beginning FIN students.

5.0
4.0
FIN320
Nov 21, 2000

Great teacher... probably one of the best at GVSU! You will learn allot!!!

5.0
2.0
FIN320
Dec 20, 2000

never changes tests, so if you have 'em your in luck. GREAT GUY THOUGH!!!

4.0
5.0
FIN320
Jan 24, 2001

Very nice, BUT tests are VERY HARD! Study a lot, tests directly from book.

1.0
3.0
FIN428
May 1, 2001

Worst teacher at GVSU, great guy but horrible teacher.

2.0
5.0
FIN428
May 2, 2001

Book was a joke, Final was a joke- 20 pages long! Says enough about him right t

5.0
3.0
FIN320
Aug 30, 2001

Great with doing examples of problems in class. Good teacher overall!

4.0
4.0
PORTFOLIO
Oct 6, 2001

No Comments

5.0
4.0
FIN320
Dec 12, 2001

Awesome prof, take him if you can, doesn't make you feel stupid

5.0
3.0
FIN320
Dec 15, 2001

wonderful professor, makes it fun and interesting

4.0
3.0
FIN320
Nov 17, 2002

class is hard, but he makes it as easy as possible

1.0
5.0
FIN320
Nov 20, 2002

Horrible professor! Does NOT TEACH ANTYHING Won't explain them clearly! GET OUT!

4.0
4.0
FIN522
Dec 5, 2002

Exam did not reflect material emphasized in class. Do homework. Good guy.

3.0
5.0
FIN320
Dec 8, 2002

Shows lots of examples which makes you feel like you know until the test.. Hard

2.0
4.0
FIN320
Dec 10, 2002

Tests are very hard and not graded well.

5.0
2.0
FIN331
Dec 11, 2002

always willing to help, hilarious, and you get to drop a test

2.0
4.0
FIN320
Jan 6, 2003

To busy to help during office hours! Tests are very hard, worst proff. I've had.

3.0
4.0
FIN320
Jan 7, 2003

Nice guy, wears fun shirts. Tests are impossible, not covered in class.

2.0
5.0
FIN
Jan 13, 2003

Teaches problems not conepts. Funny but thats it, Lacks caring for students need

1.0
5.0
FIN320
Feb 26, 2003

I ABSOLUTELY HATED THIS CLASS! Griggs is a nice enough guy, but he is THE WORST PROFESSOR I've ever had! I learned NOTHING from this class! His tests were impossible and graded poorly and he didn't teach us ANYTHING useful. Thanks for NOTHING, Griggs!!!!

2.0
4.0
FIN320
Mar 23, 2003

If you feel like teaching yourself finance he is your man. Very nice guy. Very bad Prof. Lectures and homework are easy but exam are impossible. Read the book and pray because that is the only way you'll pass.

1.0
5.0
FIN320
Apr 23, 2003

Worst professor I have ever had. He blames students for not knowing material not covered in class. Only shows how to work problems during lecture and then tests you on concepts for tests. Test are impossible to prepare for especially multiple choice.

2.0
5.0
FIN320
May 1, 2003

If you feel like taking this class twice Franks your man. Class is easy and tests are impossible. You can memorize every chapter and still fail.

3.0
4.0
FIN320
May 4, 2003

Like everyone has said, his mc questions are hard. I could take an exam, and since mc's are weighted as much as problems, id bomb the test but miss 5 mcs and one problem. His lectures are great and he's funny, but he doesnt respond to email. Dont take

1.0
5.0
FIN320
May 5, 2003

curves grade, but very hard tests

4.0
1.0
320
Jul 21, 2003

Great Prof. No Homework, drop a test, and the tests are even occured. If you're halfway intelligent you'll do well in this class.

3.0
4.0
FIN320
Dec 5, 2003

Griggs is a nice guy and people who are into finance should do well. The problem is his tests, they are nearly impossible. I was not doing well in the course in the beginning and instead of offering to help, he told me to drop the course!not professional

2.0
5.0
FIN320
Dec 17, 2003

Being smart, I thought I could handle his tests. Although he is a great guy, he does not convey necessary material during lecture. His tests really are impossible! Good luck if you have him, you will need it!!

5.0
3.0
GRADPREP
Feb 16, 2004

My intro to GVSU. Could not have had a better person. Lit a fire for learning. High energy, has theoritical and practical answers for your questions

5.0
4.0
GRADPREP
Mar 29, 2004

Frank Griggs is a wonderful professor. He cares about his students and is very fair. If you do the work, you will get a lot out of this class. I went to a prestigious undergrad univ. and Frank Griggs exceeds the calibar of many of the professors I had.

4.0
5.0
FIN320
Apr 7, 2004

Questions, questions, I need questions!!!

5.0
2.0
FIN320
Apr 14, 2004

Great guy. Multiple choice on tests are hard, but the class isn't as hard as everyone says. Makes the class fun, has a passion for teaching.

5.0
1.0
FIN320
Apr 16, 2004

I think this man has Randy "The Macho Man" blood in him.. One of the few professor's who conveys his feelings, although on a sarcastic level, about our generation being doomed.. Well I am comfortable with the idea of failure..Rock on, take this

5.0
3.0
FIN320
Apr 19, 2004

Easy class, hard tests, very helpful to students

4.0
4.0
FIN320
Apr 20, 2004

He's frank the tank! His tests are hard.

5.0
4.0
FIN320
May 13, 2004

The man loves beer. Great Guy, really funny. Very helpful. His exams are very hard though. Study hard and you'll do ok. He is very willing to help. His curves are nice. I would love to drink a Guiness with him.

4.0
2.0
FIN320
Dec 16, 2004

Griggs is a nice guy. You must attend class to understand subject, don't really need book. His tests suck and that's all the grade is based on. Online quizes and easy

4.0
3.0
FIN320
Dec 23, 2004

This guy is hilarious! Class was really funny. You'll need to go to class if you plan on doing well on the exams. Exams are hard, but he does have a good curve. Make sure you do all of the quizzes, they're gimmees!

5.0
3.0
GRADPREP
Dec 23, 2004

Griggs is a great guy. His tests are hard, but you'll get a lot out of the class if you put forth the effort. Great energy and has a real passion for helping students!

2.0
5.0
FIN320
Jan 3, 2005

Don't be fooled by the positive hype. This man is a real jerk. His lectures are entertaining but the material is poorly covered. I carry a 3.6 and struggled to post a C. The exams, which are your total grade, are purposefully ambigious and Griggs seems to find that funny. Frustrating. Learned little

4.0
2.0
FIN320
Grade: B
Feb 16, 2005

Any old business, Sonya Skipper wanted me to tell you this, questions questions questions come on guys, that back corner is cursed, Very Funny Frank, Frank is a nice guy, shoots straight tells you what you need, admits that his multiple choice should be called choose and lose, but doesnt change.

5.0
3.0
FIN320
Feb 23, 2005

Frank is the bomb. He's funny and patient. Don't let mr. (or ms.) 3.6 GPA's mumbo jumbo fool you. I have a lower GPA than that person and easily got an A. It's tough but not if you work at it.

5.0
4.0
FIN320
Feb 28, 2005

He is hilarious. One of the funniest professors I've ever had. His tests are hard but if you listen carefully, he hints towards what will be on the test. Good curve too.

5.0
3.0
FIN320
Mar 17, 2005

He showed up wearing a KILT today and said you have to "train" for St. Patrick's Day! Just to give you an idea of his sense of humor...personally I think it's the greatest thing I've ever seen from a prof. He is tough, but if he didn't challenge you, what would be your motivation to learn?

2.0
5.0
FIN320
Sep 10, 2005

Frank is a funny guy!!! Wore kilt on St Patrics day. Tests are very hard especially stupid multiple choice questions. Who gives seven choices on a multiple choice question? I think it is way over the board!!!! You would have to study very hard to do fine only because of those stupid multiple choice questions!!!

4.0
5.0
FIN320
Nov 26, 2005

He is a really good prof & explains things very well in class,so make sure to go & take good notes. Online quizes that are easy 5 points,but his exams are the killer.VERY VERY HARD!! The multiple choice is the worst, problems aren't bad at all,but the multiple choice are worth 3 pts. each so it brings down your grade quick. But,he did wear a kilt.

4.0
5.0
FIN320
Dec 19, 2005

REALLY knows his stuff. Likes to say "OK" and "alright" under his breathe as he passes back tests. tries to be funny, but really isn't. TEST ARE F***ING IMPOSSIBLE.

3.0
5.0
FIN320
Dec 26, 2005

Don't take this class with this prof. Exams are ridiculous especially when there isn't really a lesson plan and he just goes over one example of each type of question and then asks the class if they have any questions. If they do, then he's fine and if they don't, he freaks out. He's helpful if you take the time to ask him questions.

4.0
3.0
FIN320
Jan 8, 2006

Tough class, but Griggs does his best to make sure you understand. He's a funny guy and does a good job keeping everyone interested and awake. The class sucked, but it wasn't his fault. He made it as bearable as anyone could.

3.0
2.0
FIN320
Apr 27, 2006

Didnt open my book for the first half of the class. Watch out for his multiple choice questions because you really need to know your stuff to answer them correctly. Good guy but i feel like his tests are trying to trick you which is not to cool.

5.0
3.0
FIN320
May 1, 2006

One of my fav. profs here! The class is not easy, but Griggs make sure you understand. He goes through relavant problems and tells you what's on the exam. He also lets you use a sheet of notes to write anything on. Take him if you can.

2.0
5.0
FIN320
May 2, 2006

This is by far the worst professor I have ever had. his multiple choice are ridiculous. theyre definitely multiple guess. He doesn't teach concepts good just the math problems and then expects you to just know the concepts. This guy wants you to fail. Some teachers seem like they want you to do good but this guy is out to get you. Don't take HIM

1.0
5.0
FIN320
Jul 28, 2006

avoid at all costs.......just keep reading

1.0
5.0
FIN320
Oct 24, 2006

Griggs is a terrible prof period. The worst i've had at GV. Any positve comments are written by him himself.

1.0
5.0
FIN320
Nov 14, 2006

The worst professor I have ever had. After he hands back exams he will tell you that he knew you didn't know it so he had to put it on there. Loves to watch students fail. Doesn't teach a thing. If you don't ask he won't tell so you better teach yourself because he won't. If you have him get out or take the W.

1.0
5.0
FIN320
Nov 16, 2006

If you enjoy professors who pride themselves off of watching students fail, this course is for you

5.0
2.0
FIN320
Nov 21, 2006

Professor Griggs is a nice guy, the course is a little testy, but all in all he's a good professor and an overall good guy

5.0
2.0
FIN320
Dec 8, 2006

Griggs is a great teacher and a funny guy. If you struggle with m.c. this class might be difficult but he goes over the material for each test NUMEROUS times. Just go to class, pay attention, read once and a while, and put in a little work and you will do fine. Honestly not that hard of a class. Seems like a few people have a grudge though.

1.0
5.0
FIN320
Dec 21, 2006

Terrible Prof.

1.0
5.0
FIN320
Jan 3, 2007

Get ready to teach yourself the material. Your best chance is to buy the book and self study and show up on exam days, because going to the class sure doesn't help.

2.0
5.0
FIN320
Jan 12, 2007

Wow this class is terrible.griggs has gotta go

2.0
5.0
FIN320
Jan 22, 2007

Good person but terrible prof. Tests were impossible. The first test was on like 5 chapters while the rest only covered 3. He advises students to drop and I should've listened. I studied hard...over 10 hours a week and still got a C-. Final is crazy...the class average was 64.5%. DO NOT TAKE if possible.

2.0
5.0
FIN320
Feb 6, 2007

Does boring problems day after day. Fails to teach concepts or why things occur in finance. Simply terrible i would strictly advise not taking him, and grand valley letting him go.

2.0
5.0
FIN320
Apr 20, 2007

I agree, get ready to teach yourself. He dosnt do helpful examples that you need to do the homework after class. If you ask him about a problem he dosnt fully explain it. Not availale for office hours, and they probably wouldnt be helpful anyways. If you need help go to the fin. tutor at downtown campus.

1.0
5.0
FIN320
Jun 15, 2007

Tests are impossible and online quizzes fail to incorporate any sort of learning of the material. I agree with everyone the best thing GV could do is send Griggs packing.

1.0
5.0
FIN320
Jul 30, 2007

One of the worst teachers I've ever had. Make sure you do all the recommended examples out of the book, because he won't teach you in class but rest assured, they'll be on the test. Likes to switch words around from online quizzes to trick you too. Lets you use a cheat sheet on the tests, but doesn't give you enough time to use it. DON'T TAKE HIM

4.0
5.0
FIN320
Dec 3, 2007

Really nice person and I thought I'd like him after the first day of class but come the first exam, everyone was so mad! Exams are absolutely impossible!

5.0
5.0
FIN320
Dec 8, 2007

Professor Griggs is a great guy and he is a good teacher. That being said, this class is extremely difficult. There is way too much material, and everything is cumulative! You do get to use a cheat sheet on exams, although it's still not enough. He does want student to learn and will help any way he can though. Very willing to do examples in class.

3.0
5.0
FIN320
Dec 14, 2007

Griggs is very difficult. He is a nice guy but makes the class harder than it should be. His M/C questions, as stated before on here, are very hard. There is no real good way to study for the exams. The final is 40% and is very very hard. Good luck

2.0
5.0
FIN320
Dec 18, 2007

The final exam is cumulative and worth 40 percent of your total grade. I studied for 20 hours and still failed it.

3.0
5.0
FIN320
Dec 21, 2007

this class is very challenging. he is a very nice guy, but his exams are impossible (even with the cheat sheet). he gives you too many options for multiple choice, and there are too many problems making it difficult to complete on time. the final is cumulative and worth 40%. i don't recommend him.

3.0
5.0
FIN320
Feb 26, 2008

Dont know what these people are smoking. this guys the biggest jerk ive ever met. his tests do not correlate at all with what he tells you in class. he doesnt give you an ounce of leeway and hes just plain scary to be around. stay away from this guy, his stupid french hats, his plaid shirt, and his class if you know whats good for you.

1.0
5.0
FIN320
Feb 26, 2008

Wow this class sucked. He did not cover relevant material in class and the tests simply blew everyone away. The way he acts in class is casual and fun, but when it comes exam time HE SLAPS YOU IN THE FACE. Ridiculous exams. Take him if you want to take this class twice.

2.0
5.0
FIN320
Mar 18, 2008

Very nice guy, but very hard class. The class doesn't correlate to the tests at all. There are extremely hard tests with tricky questions and not nearly enough time. Very hard to get a good grade.

3.0
5.0
FIN320
Jun 22, 2008

Great guy but the tests are way to hard. I would study for hours and feel good about the material but still wouldn't be able to do well on the tests. I understand that this is college and it is not suppose to be easy but I have never taken a test with seven options for mutliple choice. All the comments everyone posted are VERY true. Avoid him.

2.0
5.0
FIN320
Nov 5, 2008

this class is IMPOSSIBLE to get a good grade in. The tests are extremely hard, and from the 40 people that started in the class, there were only about 10 left after the 1st exam. He tells you that you need to study harder, but I studied for hours and still couldn't get a passing grade on the exams! I would take another prof if at all possible!!!!

3.0
5.0
FIN320
Nov 12, 2008

I don't mind hard classes. Griggs is a nice guy, yes - but that's not what I need in a class. Bottom line, his exams have the principles you learn in class, but twisted around and hard to make out. Cheat sheet he gives, doesn't help much. Take someone else if you can - this is coming from a dedicated and hard working student.

2.0
5.0
FIN320
Dec 9, 2008

This guy is impossible and a bad teacher! I studied hours for these tests and did terrible! Don't take this class with him!

2.0
4.0
FIN320
Dec 9, 2008

DO NOT take this guy. studied forever for all his tests and felt confident going into tests, but then there's brand new material on every test that he never even mentions prior to it. I'd heard he was bad before I took it but figured I'd be ok, definitely wrong. change your schedule if you have to to fit it in at another time just don't take him

2.0
5.0
FIN320
Nov 5, 2009

He is tough. Looks like Gary Busey and is just about as entertaining. Very funny and wants everyone to learn. However, the way he teaches is makes it harder than it needs to be.

3.0
2.0
FIN320
Dec 15, 2009

honestly the tests are not bad at all if you know the math its about 2/3 the test and some of the multiple choice is hard but not impossible. homework is a given 10% drops the lowest of three tests.

4.0
5.0
FIN320
Apr 13, 2010

He is a really nice guy but very very very tricky. I am usually an A- B+ student and I cant get above a D+ on his tests its all about tricking his classes...

3.0
5.0
FIN320
Apr 29, 2010

The guy does a good job teaching to make you feel you understand the material, until you take his test. He changes his terminology and introduces problems that require a different computational process that he didn't teach. Everyone I have talked to says FIN320 is easy, none of them have Griggs. Dont put yourself through the misery!

5.0
4.0
FIN320
May 12, 2010

I had him for FIN 320. Great guy, makes you laugh, and teaches well. However, tests are pretty tricky, had to study a lot. Ended up with a B, but I wish he would give partial credit on tests.

2.0
5.0
FIN320
Feb 19, 2011

Pretty hard. Changes his demeanor from easy going Joe on normal days to prime Tyson, all is business, mr. Serious on exam day. Do yourself a favor and run this guy,

4.0
4.0
FIN320
Jun 16, 2011

I'm old school, I took Professor Griggs in the mid-1990's. Loved his class, loved him. A fantastic professor. Took my finance degree and went to a top ten law school.

3.0
4.0
FIN320
Nov 21, 2011

Tells you what you need to know, so lectures are important. But exams are hard escpecially the multiple choice with choices a-z... exams are basically your only grade so it can be a tough class

4.0
4.0
FIN320
Apr 19, 2012

Griggs is a really nice guy. He does a good job in preparing you for the free response portion of exams, but he doesn't do a good job in teaching the theory behind topics, which makes the multiple choice questions hard. He does curve exams and lets you drop your lowest exam.

4.0
4.0
FIN320
Apr 20, 2012

If you have never taken a finance class before or have minimal interest in finance I wouldn't recommend him. He is a great guy but its just a hard class. It feels there is no structure to his lectures and you get lost quickly.

3.0
5.0
FIN320
Apr 23, 2012

HARD. very confusing. Very nice guy but the class itself is a pain to get through. No structure. Does not teach the theory but tests heavily on it.

4.0
3.0
FIN320
Jul 27, 2012

Exams are a bit hard but I really enjoyed him and this class.

1.0
5.0
FIN320
Dec 4, 2013

I'm going to put this very simple, ineffective teacher. I am now taking the class over with another professor and it is amazing how much easier the class is to learn now.

4.0
3.0
FIN320
Feb 24, 2014

I really enjoyed Griggs. His teaching style is effective and he is more than willing to help you out when you're stuck. He truly cares about you succeeding. Do the suggested problems - He takes nearly half of the exam questions from them. Overall a good professor - I would take him again.

4.0
3.0
FIN320
Apr 2, 2014

Watch out for his tricky exams, practice the problems in the book and show up for class and you'll be fine. A fair warning though, Griggs is a fan of kilts...

3.0
4.0
FIN320
May 8, 2014

His teaching style is not effective. Half the exam question are material he does not cover and are very tricky! Many people dropped and many people failed. Its pretty easy to get a B with effort but an A is very hard!I do not recommend him. (He is very nice though)

3.0
4.0
FIN322
Grade: A-
Dec 4, 2014

Recently started teaching 322 and he has no idea what he is doing. Knows his stuff, but doesn't convey the information well to the students. You will end up doing well in the class, but you won't learn a thing and will struggle in 422.

5.0
3.0
FIN320
Grade: A
Dec 9, 2014

If you do everything that he tells you to do on the first day you will be successful in his class. His teaching style IS effective IF you are willing to put in some outside work. He is very clear on what he wants. Great guy who is always willing to help out his students. Will definitely take one of his classes again.

4.0
2.0
FIN322
Apr 20, 2015

I think he's retiring but I wish he wouldn't. Homework is minimal, quizzes are 5 questions and you can take them as many times as you want to get full credit. His tests can be kind of tricky but if you're in class and you study the quizzes you'll do just fine. Very knowledgeable and adds humor to his lectures to keep you interested. Great guy.

2.0
3.0
FIN322
Apr 23, 2015

Griggs does not take his job as a professor seriously. It's all just a joke to him, he does not seem to care that much for his students. That being said, this guy is completely HILARIOUS. I was never bored during class. His lectures could be followed but were never really clear. Tests were ridiculous too with enormous curves. I think he is retiring

Class Info

Attendance Mandatory

0%

Textbook Required

100%

Grade Predictor

Your expected effort level

LowHigh

Predicted Grade

A-

59% confidence
Based on 3 grades
Most common grades:
B (1)
A- (1)
A (1)
Grade Distribution
A(1)B(1)C(0)D(0)F(0)A-/B+(1)
Based on 3 reported grades
B: 1
A-: 1
A: 1
Rating Trend

Declining

-1.02 avg change
Dec
Feb
Apr
May
Dec
Apr
Last 6 months
Ratings by Course

FIN350

5.0

(1)

FIN331

5.0

(1)

GRADPREP

5.0

(3)

320

4.0

(1)

PORTFOLIO

4.0

(1)
+5 more courses
Difficulty by Course

FIN

5.0

FIN320

4.0

FIN350

4.0

FIN428

4.0

PORTFOLIO

4.0

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