Take notes on his jokes!

if he teaches 291, pretty easy, but I've heard he is a beast in 300s

Hard class, but listen to his jokes and you will pass

Very interesting fella

Awesome person..... very helpful.

Very good teacher, with a bad rap.

always willing to help and a real nice guy.. tests can be rough

REally good and helpfull...lookout for John and mary jokes..

Treat him with respect and he'll return the favor. Tests are worded badly.

Nice guy, treat him with respect and he will give you an A.

He is a nice guy, just listen in class, and read the test carefully...

This guy is hilarious. I thought the tests were pretty easy as long as you understood the homework. If you don't, go get help.

Tells really, really bad jokes. Tests are very difficult and puts some trick questions on them as well. He does explain things thoroughly in class, but can get annoying quite often.

He is a NUT! He tries really hard to be funny, but really isn't. He is a really nice guy- if you go to his office hours he will talk to you forever but will help out.

Easy teacher. Go to class, he collects homework or attendance quizzes every class period. I had an easy A.

the hardest part about this class is putting up with his jokes. he is enough of an idiot to bragg about how cheap he is. overall he is generally better than other 300 professors.

not real sure what im supposed to be learning from taking this class unless i feel like going into the constuction business, flow charts and all.

Funny. Tries very hard. Any argument gives you points back on your test questions.

Great teacher. The class is hard but you will learn a lot of practical stuff. If you use his office hours you will get a solid grade for sure.

Very feminine... Very easy to manipulate into giving you extra points on tests. Gives attendance quizes almost every class. Collects HW often.

Soooooo easy. Gives you hardship quizzes, so if you come to class you get 100 points. Tests are easy if you do the homework. Don't listen to the rumors, hes and AWESOME teacher. Take him if you want an A!

I took Ratcliffe in the summer and his class was sooo easy...two test and a final. he gave "hardship quizzes" (automatic 100s)and minimal homework. First test was tough, but last two were very fair. You can get tons of points back if you go se

Awsome teacher. Funny, and extremely easy for may session. harship quizes are automatic 100's and tests were not hard at all. take if you want an A.

Very nice helpful guy. Tries to make class as interesting as possible yet still a boring class.

Very easy during may and june session! Hardship quizzes are definite 100! gives back points on test! def take him for 291!! fun guy!

He tries to intimidate you the first day, but don't worry...he turns out to be really chill. very wacky guy. off the wall. "that's why I drive a Kia!" go to class b/c he tells you EXACTLY what to study for. gives you freebies a lot, funny g

funny.. talks a lot and tells lots of stories. always willing to help if you need it. not boring at all and tests are not that bad (although he says the final is really hard)

nice guy. he's all over the place when he teaches. he needs to 'focus'. go to his office hours he gives you back points on exams. collects homework eevery class. pay attention to his lame jokes/pointless stories..they are extra credit on all exams. not the best teacher, but not the worst.

HOMEWORK CLASS!!!, lots of bs homework, tests are sort of tough, nice guy, helpful on business plan

Amazing prof.! Take him if you want to get A!!

Great! Yea, the tests are difficult, and you have to know what you're doing, but he is extremely helpful. Go talk to him anytime you're having trouble and he'll explain everything. As long as you go to class and do the homework, you can get an A.

EXTREMELY HELPFUL! If you go to review sessions and his office for help you will do well. Exams are HARD - MUST STUDY! Nature of the class is hard, but he is willing to do whatever to help you learn! Prof Ratcliffe is a MUST HAVE for 291!!!!!!!!

I don't know what everyone else is talking about but you couldn't ask for an easier or better teacher. Show up to class do the work its not horrible at all. Yes its hard, but no matter who you have its going to be hard. You have a project worth 20% of your grade that is a gauranteed 100, and "quizzes" that consist of you just being in class.

Professor Ratcliffe is one of the best professors in the COB. He makes every effort possible to help students get an A. If you do the hw and go to his office hours you will get an A.

Holy crap. This guy is awesome! TAKE HIM. if you do the homework and go to class you WILL get an A. he will help you with everything you dont understand. final project is guided by him and he will not accept it until you get a 100 on it. that is worth a test. TAKE RATCLIFFE. he also thinks he's a funny guy...so it makes it interesting

Honestly probably the most dedicated professor you'll ever meet. He's extremely nice and spends so much of his time just helping his students w/ review sessions and office hrs..which makes the material much easier to understand! tough class.. but there's probably no other professor willing to help this much! definitely take him !!

Very cool teacher, best of 291 professors. He puts in a lot of time to help students. Takes attendance, do the hwk and project and you are guaranteed another letter grade up from test scores. Talks about alcohol and jokes alot to keep students interested, but apparently some of these stuck up northerners have problems with that.

Dreaded taking this class, but eh made it awesome. He is bald and makes awful jokes, but is really interested in his students. Tests are hard, but if you go to his office he gives you alot of points back. He gives a quiz grade just for attending class, that counts as 15 percent of your grade. Best teacher I've had at JMU. I recomend!

TAKE THIS CLASS. Ratcliffe is awesome! Ask about his flamingos.

Awesome professor! The material is hard and can be very time consuming at times (especially if you're doing the summer class), but Ratcliffe does his best to make it as easy as possible. There is a project; though he basically goes through it for you step by step. Is a little off, but overall he is a funny guy.

He's a nice, balding old man who likes to laugh at his own bad jokes, but I've never seen a prof who cared more about his students. He's tough but he's fair. The tests are hard, but you learn the material. You'll work hard for a B, but the class is less of a headache with Ratcliffe than anyone else.

He is the BEST COB 291 Teacher ever! If you take him you will be able to pass with at least a C or better. Attendance counts as quiz grades, Do the homework and you. He holds your hand through projects to get an easy A for that. Go to him for help, or for points on your test and your fine! Take hime to pass this class. Bald guy, likes flamingos.

Really helpful. Attendance & hw boosts grade. Project is 15%, but is super easy. Exams are reasonable, but be careful. Only use book for hw probs, u don't read it. Allows use of older textbooks. Provides many exam reviews. Remember his corny jokes, they're extra credit on exams.

By far one of the best teachers at JMU!

ahhhhh! i will have to disagree with everyone. he is the hardest teacher i have ever had, and the class sucked! his tests are horrible. i never had enough time to finish the 11 pages of test in only one hour. take Ina markham. she at least allows you to create a cheat sheet for each test!

Best Teacher you can get for 291, you will have to put in the time and do the work but you will learn the material, if you make the effort tests aren't bad at all and his class is always amusing, great guy really wants you to do well go see him in office hours!

MY FAVORITE PROFESSOR!!!

Probably the hardest working professor/teacher I've ever had, period. Tons of reviews and office hours. He provides his students with every opportunity to succeed. Project was very easy (15% of your grade), tests are definitely manageable (17 A's in our class on the last exam). I would highly recommend Ratcliffe and would gladly take him again.

Had a healthy B going into the final but he made his final more or less impossible ask anyone, dropped me an entire letter grade. A lot of people have a hard on for him and don't get me wrong he is nice and hard working, but he will play favorites with his grading.

Very challenging to say the least.Mr. Ratcliffe is a very nice guy,who makes lots of jokes.His tests are very difficult,and he really tries to trick you on just about every question.There is really no way to prepare for the tests, you just have to know what you're doing. Don't be suprised if you have to take the class over.

Ne1 who says he is impossible simply doesnt do the hw assignments. The hw review helps SO much. covers everything that is on the exams in class, there are no surprises.1 page cheat sheet for final. is available 8 am-10pm every day. Nicest professor. Not impossible to do well but you need to go to class, and work its hard material period. Take him.

Very good teacher, had him during Maymester and he still was able to get the information across to us in 4 weeks. Attendance is imperative and know how to use Excel, its used for alot of stuff including the project. Final is diffult, I had an A heading into it and wound up with a B+. Ratcliffe is available practically 24/7 so get help if u need it.

Good teacher. Always available for help. Easy project. Grades easy on homework. Just show up, pay attention and do the hw and you'll do fine.

Hard teacher. He refuses to curve tests grades (our class average on the first test was a 60). He gives a lot of review sessions and has a lot of office hours which helps some, but his tests are still rough. He is a nice guy though.

has a lot of review sessions and acts like he cares about his students, but at the end of the day he really could care less if ur whole class fails (and good majority does). if someone asks a question he thinks is dumb and doesnt feel like answering, he plays his imaginary violin and/or tells you that "the course is offered again next semester".

Definitely take him for 291...best teacher for it. He's so helpful and really wants his students to do well. I recommend taking him for maymester...lots of excel work but he goes through it step by step. His tests aren't that bad but the final is tough so make sure you study!

Mr. Ratcliffe is, as he describes it, "Challenging." However, he's one of the best professors I've had at JMU. He goes over things step by step. If you don't do the work, you WILL NOT get a good grade, but if you put in the time, go to review sessions and get to know him, he will give breaks. Really fun and funny in class - definitely take him.

Very hardworking professor. Offers review sessions all the time. However, tests are very hard and are long. Not enough time to finish them. Also not a very fair grader. You basically need to go to the review sessions to pass the class or you will not know what to study. If you want an A or B, do not take the class.

Exams are ridiculous; however, he?s extremely helpful and hilarious. Not only will you learn about management science, but you?ll also learn how to make the perfect rum and coke, and what to do if you?re confronted by an old lady who lives in a shoe. Go to class, do the homework, study for exams and hopefully you won?t see him next semester.

Course material is hard no matter who you have but Ractliffe is the best to teach 291. overall grade is weighted so you don't have to do spectacular in the class. attendance is 5%, HW is 5%, project(easy) is 15%, excel tutorial(easy) is 5%. tests are just 70%. overall, go to class, do your hw and PAY ATTENTION. print out the powerpoint slides

The most challenging class (as prof. Ratcliffe calls it) I have ever taken in my life. BUT he goes out of his way to help students at any time. He practically lives in Showker. 291 is hard regardless of who you have, but I definitely recommend taking him. Tests are brutal, but with the book, and out of class help, a decent grade is possible.

Makes the class a lot more difficult than it has to be. You will do better in an easier section of the class.

Great professor. I would take him over all the other COB 291 professors. Tests are easy if you look over the powerpoints and the excel projects are self explanatory and take like 15 mins each.

Truely an amazing teacher. 291 is extremely difficult but he helps you SO much! He holds extra review sessions ALL the time!He even held some at 12am to make sure everyone got a chance to go. Tests are hard, study everyday so you don't fall behind

Class is hard but he's a great teacher. Assignments help boost your grade, but tests are hard. Makes class interesting by using alcohol in problems for example, and tells stories sometimes. HW will help you do well on tests although he only collects it for credit sometimes. Great office hrs and has review sessions. I Got a C but learned a lot!

Awesome, loud, smart professor. Learned more about excel than i thought possible. Class is difficult, major use of statistics throughout, but he is ALWAYS available to help. Most caring professor. Learned SOOO much, don't have the grade to show for it, but doesn't matter because I know I'll actually use a lot of the class in the future. Good luck!

Best professor!! Ratcliffe does all he can to help you do well. I was dreading taking 291...took it over Maymester, and it was the best decision ever. We got away with a lot as a class but I still learned a ton and he is so smart. Love Ratcliffe!! His jokes are terrible but just laugh because it makes him feel good.

This class is ridiculous. Ratcliffe is a nice enough guy and keeps the lecture bearable with silly stories, usually about alcohol. But don't be fooled, his first test will completely blindside you. I got my first D on anything on the first exam. You can study your notes, do your homework perfectly, and still be totally unprepared for the test. AVOI

Ratcliffe is one of the best professors I have ever had here. The class itself is "challenging" as he would say but not impossible. Go to every review session for assignments and homework and his office hours he offers and you will actually understand the material.

A really funny teacher his jokes are funny that contain a lot of alcohol and drug use in them. Class is dificult but u can get a decent grade by coming to class doing the assignments and homework. Hes very helpful if u go to study sessions and it makes it understand the material better.

There were times that I wanted to throw my laptop out the window and cry at the sight of an excel spreadsheet, however, that is what comes with COB291. Ratcliffe is extremely helpful and wants his students to do well! Tests are extremely challenging but fair (do all of the homework and go to review sessions). STUDY VERY HARD FOR THE FINAL EXAM.

He is a wonderful professor that truly enjoys teaching and wants his students to learn. He will go out of his way to offer extra help, but his exams are admittedly difficult, and he tends to have lots of typos in anything he sends out. Overall, though, great professor. Made 291 very enjoyable.

If you want a good grade with little work, this is not the right class. Homework every night, projects, and tests are very difficult but not impossible. Literally one of the best professors ever. Has review sessions ALL the time and wants you to succeed. Will not give out grades that were not earned. BEST 291 professor!

Funny but evil. Best professor for this weed out course. Has multiple review sessions for very very hardtests.Mmore like IQ tests than on study skills.I did well on homeworks, quizzes, &project, but he requires a test average of 60% to pass the course. Expect about 2-3 hrs of homework every class and is someone I would like to grab rum & cokes with

Best professor I've taken. Class requires a lot of work and that you keep up. Just because you do well on the assignments does not guarantee an A, you need to study and do practice problems/homework problems. I would take him again!

Professor Ratcliffe is the man! He really wants his students to do well and simply asks that they put in the effort to do so. There is a lot of work for this class but the same would be true for any 291 class. If you go to his review sessions and stay on top of the work, you'll do just fine. I got a B.

Management Science is Magnificnt! Great teacher all around.

His classwork and homeworks are pretty easy and doesnt take long. But his exams are ridiculous and very hard. Go to his PASS sessions and office hours or fail the class.

By far the best teacher I've had at JMU. I do not know a single other teacher that holds review sessions 5 days a week twice a day to help students outside of class to learn the material. He is such a great teacher, I highly recommend students take Prof Ratcliffe.

He is such an awesome teacher! One of my favorites. COB 291 is a hard class no matter who you take (my hardest in COB) but Ratcliffe is definitely the best professor for the course. Tests are tough though so make sure you don't get behind in reading. Ratcliffe really loves teaching and spends a lot of time with you if you need help.

Say some Hail Mary's and STUDY HARD

Professor Ratcliffe is a crazy guy. No matter what professor you take for 291, it is going to be a hard class. While there are a few questions on each test about obscure facts from the textbook that he doesn't cover in class, He is a fair prof. who genuinely wants you to do well in his course. Not impossible to do well. So many office hours.

Ratcliffe was extremely interested in what he was teaching and wanted students to do well; but definitely made it clear if you did not try, you would not succeed. Tests are extrememly detail oriented, I suggest you re-read questions several times.

HEMM HEMM HEMM!!! I SAIDDD!!!!! whenever he says ^^ write it down

He is not an easy professor and this is not an easy class. You'll be doing the most work you've ever done up to this point in all your years of schooling. However, he genuinely cares about making you learn as much as possible about the course & is always open for help. Work with others, pay attention to him, DO THE HOMEWORK and you will succeed.

I loved him!!! He was entertaining, and I enjoyed going to his class. His tests are hard but if you go to his office he is more than willing help you out. Some of his projects take a long time, and he is a harsh grader on them, but you can always resubmit and get 1/2 back. Don't slack off !! of all professors, take him, he is by far the best!!

Class is crazy hard but at the end of the day I'm glad I had Ratcliffe. 291 is an extremely difficult subject but he helps you out as much as he can and he's a genuine funny guy. If I had to do it again I'd take him. Tests are hard though like all other classes

Ratcliffe is a really cool guy, but the class is really hard. Go to his office hours if you need help. Do the homework and make sure you are there for the hardship quizzes. The final exam was impossible.

He gives you all the tools you need to do well. He's funny, cares about his students, and knows his stuff. Take great notes, do all the extra problems, go to his office hours and STUDY!!

Ratcliffe is just a really cool professor. You are gonna love him. He is always willing to help students. However, his test are tricky, worded just like the way he talks in class, and are hard. All his test are multiple choice so at least if you dont know you can guess and hope you get it right. Love this guy to death

I don't know what the big fuss over 291 is. I'm not super smart & I don't get very good grades (2.7 overall) but I thought Ratcliffes class was awesome. He's completely insane, but profoundly brilliant at the same time & he makes 291 interesting with crazy scenarios. MAKE A SHEET OF ALL THE "I SAID!" CONCEPTS. You'll know what I'm talking about!

Ratcliffe is the funniest teacher I've had at JMU thus far, so he always held my attention. 291 is a very difficult class, but he really wants you to succeed. He holds the most office hours I've ever seen. However, his tests are very hard. It was frustrating that it seemed like he was making them overly hard and trying to trick us.

Mr. Ratcliffe is an awesome professor. He really cares about his students and offers a lot of extra help. The PASS Sessions help so much - definitely go to them! Tests are tough, but if you do the work, study hard, and get the help you need, you will be better than you think. I recommend for sure!

He is the best teacher for 291 and as long as you are present in every class (he gives "quizzes", which is a free 100) you will pass

He is by far one of my favorite professors. He understands that this is a hard class, with that being said he is always available for office hours and really wants to see his students succeed. His tests are tough but if you come to class every day and do the homework you should be able to do well on all of them.

Great Professor, best 291 Professor and a must take for this class, the course material is difficult regardless of who you take but he gives you the best chance at an A or B

Ratcliffe has some of the hardest tests I have ever taken. Very unclear with directions and homework. Hardly ever collects homework but will catch you off guard when he does. He is hilarious and understands the class is hard and offers an insane amount of office hours. You can succeed in the class, just be prepared to work for it.

Take this man! He has his downfalls for sure, but after failing this class once and taking it again with him, believe me - this is the guy you want!!! (hint: he knows the readings are impossible, but actually do them, they can fill in the blanks from his lectures)

This class is difficult in general, but Ratcliffe does a pretty good job of making it as clear as possible. The Excel assignments can be time-consuming & the tests can seem pretty impossible, but the class is manageable. Don't miss any classes and be sure to ask if something doesn't make sense - take advantage of his extra office hours!

He made it as good as 291 can be. Hard tests though.

Listen up - this class is no joke, but I got an A and so can you. You need to write down what he says, memorize it, and apply it to your homework. Do all the homework bc he uses some questions on tests. Go to extra office hours and ASK QUESTIONS DURING CLASSDURING THE TEST - HE WILL HELP!!! You can get an A if you want one, but it won't be easy.

Ratcliffe is hands down the single best professor I've ever had, TAKE THIS MAN!! . Ratcliffe doesn't make tests easy, they are hard as hell and will make you think, but it prepares you for that final, but STUDY FOR THE FINAL OR FAIL THE FINAL!!! I took 291 twice, you need to be serious about this class if you want to pass, that goes for all profs!

Ratcliffe is the man! Class is overall difficult but if you pay attention and do all the HW you can get an A. Has step by step powerpoints on canvas on how to do the HW. He loves to teach and lectures aren't a drag like other COB professors. The more work you put in, the better grade you'll receive.

Ratcliffe is a really great professor, and the best to take for 291. His power points are the majority of his tests and he also does a lot of work with Excel as well. Has a great sense of humor to make class enjoyable and Ratcliffe for every class.

This man really knows 291. People on here are right, you will get the grade you deserve. I promise you, nothing feels better than studying hard and getting an A on ratcliffes tests. DO the HW, every time, as hard as that is. WRITE down every "I said" in class (youll get it)... and WORK with friends. Get help on excel!! GO TO CLASS!!

The tests completely caught me off guard in terms of specificity. You need to know the material in great depth as well as be prepared to do a myriad of problems. Do the extra problems he posts online. Pay attention to the I SAID's and study study study!!!

This class is one of the hardest classes in COB. DO ALL THE HW EVEN WHEN YOU DONT WANT TO. Its not a class you can goof off in and cram the night before- you need to study, do every hw assignment, go to office hours and PASS sessions. Otherwise the first test will hit you and you're screwed bc they are very detailed. He's the best though! take him!

Clifford is one of the best professors ever. I got a 54 on the first test, 95 on the second test (I got a pencil), and a 72 on the final. Averaged an A on the project, average a B on the homework. GO TO CLASS! Lectures are important. Tests are extremely tough. Funny guy, actually learned something at the end of it all. 79 as my final grade -_-

A 3 is fair for easiness b/c honestly, If you know some things to the finest detail, you'll get an A. Go to all pass sessions and a B is very doable. Best 291 professor out there.

291 is what you make it to be. Yes I think it is by far the hardest COB pre req, but if you work hard and want to do well, you will. His tests are super detailed, but if you take the time to understand the material, they're actually not bad.

The year was either 1999 or 2000. I had previously attempted cob291 with an evil witch professor, but dropped the class before it was too late. Mr. Ratcliffe didn't suffer fools, but also cared enough to try keeping the class engaged in what was, let's be honest, a less than fun subject. JMU lost out when he retired...Mr. Ratcliffe was the best!