Opinion
UW-RF professors deserve more respect
October 13, 2006
As a relatively new student at UW-River Falls, I still find it extremely difficult to watch students walk nonchalantly out of a lecture like it’s no big deal. It is completely appalling to watch people treat professors with such disrespect.
I am very aware that as this college is not in any way a replica of a high school setting; students are now able to act as they want and when they would like. However true this may be, professors work to provide worthwhile, educational material. They deserve at least the same respect that high school teachers were given.
Professors must prepare material for students to study. A large amount of work goes into generating assignments, staying up-to-date with the readings and keeping teaching strategies accurate with the times. Classes are not just about reading the required material, but meant to give discussions and an understanding of the material, and to have students grow intellectually.
After a mere five weeks of observation, I have noticed upperclassmen leaving lectures. So I now wonder, as people grow, do they become more disrespectful? Do they know so much more and are so intellectually inclined that they no longer feel the need to attend class and continue to learn anything?
As a freshman, I thought I would be able to look up to the upperclassmen for guidance. But at times, I feel more responsible for my actions than the people who have been here for years already.
The golden rule has always been drilled into my head and into my family’s beliefs. My father has always said, “The golden rule is the most important rule to life.” In many ways I agree with his comment. If I were to put myself into the professors’ shoes, I would feel so frustrated.
I commend the professors for pretending not to notice the extremely rude actions of their students, whether it is the class as a whole or just a handful of students who are rude. If I stood in their shoes, I would not hold back any anger or dissatisfaction from their actions.
Ultimately it is the students’ decision whether to attend class or not. But then again, why pay tens of thousands of dollars to restrain intellectual growth?
Sara Hauer is a student at UW-River Falls.