Classroom Etiquette
Emily Post
Issue date: 9/15/08 Section: Opinions
By Emily Post
Contributing Writer
emilyrpost@gmail.com
Welcome to Ross. At this point, the second years are in the midst of recruiting and back in drinking shape while the first years are getting used to the craziness of their first year and the anxiety that comes with the possibility of a Low Pass. While I would like to tell everyone to focus their attention on more important issues, such as the upcoming election or the issues in Georgia, I won't. Instead, I would like to focus on Classroom Etiquette.
In each class, you will notice that there are approximately seventy people surrounding you. And while you may love or hate most of those people at this point, you should respect them, regardless. So that means that you, that guy who always comes late to class, should finally buy a watch. Because even if you think you are stealth and quiet entering the room, you are sadly mistaken. You constantly bump chairs or pound your feet on the stairs up to the last row. And it's even more distracting when you unzip your bag, pull out all your books, and make a weird rustling sound thanks to your 2:30pm daily snack of peanuts and baby carrots. JUST STOP. Come to class on time and understand that my $45K/year is worth just as much as yours. And unlike you, and I'm saying this out of jealousy, I'm paying for it myself since my parents aren't helping me.
Secondly, and this goes to first years especially, if a door in a room is closed, assume there is a class in session. I can count at least four occurrences in the past week when someone has just opened a classroom door and walked in, not noticing that a class is in progress. You are obviously smart if you go here, so start using some common sense. Limited space in the school = constantly used classrooms. Go to iMpact and reserve a room like the rest of us.
Next, I would like to discuss phone etiquette in the classroom. This sentence alone may seem strange to many of you, but there are many people from elsewhere who think it is fine to answer their phones during class while a professor is speaking. I heard a story last year about a student who picked up a recruiter's phone call during class, crawled under his/her desk and had a conversation. This is not OK. And while the occasional ring is tolerable, please try to turn your ringer off.
On a final note, I would like to thank Professor LaFontaine for forcing us to sing if we are late to class or if a ringer goes off. It was very entertaining for the class and also forced me to wake up 10 minutes earlier. Because while I sit here accusing you all of a lack of decorum, I too admit that I was once guilty. However, I am proudly reformed thanks to an early morning rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner".
Contributing Writer
emilyrpost@gmail.com
Welcome to Ross. At this point, the second years are in the midst of recruiting and back in drinking shape while the first years are getting used to the craziness of their first year and the anxiety that comes with the possibility of a Low Pass. While I would like to tell everyone to focus their attention on more important issues, such as the upcoming election or the issues in Georgia, I won't. Instead, I would like to focus on Classroom Etiquette.
In each class, you will notice that there are approximately seventy people surrounding you. And while you may love or hate most of those people at this point, you should respect them, regardless. So that means that you, that guy who always comes late to class, should finally buy a watch. Because even if you think you are stealth and quiet entering the room, you are sadly mistaken. You constantly bump chairs or pound your feet on the stairs up to the last row. And it's even more distracting when you unzip your bag, pull out all your books, and make a weird rustling sound thanks to your 2:30pm daily snack of peanuts and baby carrots. JUST STOP. Come to class on time and understand that my $45K/year is worth just as much as yours. And unlike you, and I'm saying this out of jealousy, I'm paying for it myself since my parents aren't helping me.
Secondly, and this goes to first years especially, if a door in a room is closed, assume there is a class in session. I can count at least four occurrences in the past week when someone has just opened a classroom door and walked in, not noticing that a class is in progress. You are obviously smart if you go here, so start using some common sense. Limited space in the school = constantly used classrooms. Go to iMpact and reserve a room like the rest of us.
Next, I would like to discuss phone etiquette in the classroom. This sentence alone may seem strange to many of you, but there are many people from elsewhere who think it is fine to answer their phones during class while a professor is speaking. I heard a story last year about a student who picked up a recruiter's phone call during class, crawled under his/her desk and had a conversation. This is not OK. And while the occasional ring is tolerable, please try to turn your ringer off.
On a final note, I would like to thank Professor LaFontaine for forcing us to sing if we are late to class or if a ringer goes off. It was very entertaining for the class and also forced me to wake up 10 minutes earlier. Because while I sit here accusing you all of a lack of decorum, I too admit that I was once guilty. However, I am proudly reformed thanks to an early morning rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner".
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