Letter to the editor

Classroom rudeness becomes overwhelming

How do you show disrespect for a professor and classmates in a class? Let me count the ways. Rudeness runs rampant in many classes every day.

This issue matters because if we don’t learn manners now, our job prospects and personal outcomes could be dismal. I cannot remain silent any longer.

The one sin, for most professors, is using electronic devices in class without permission. I have sat in many classes while the people around me play games, listen to music, check their email, Facebook and even watch a movie or a television show. You pay tuition for this class, then ignore the lecture? This makes no sense to me.

Another one is the person who comes in chronically late, disrupting class when they come in. Then there is the reverse of this habit, getting up in the middle of class and leaving. When I have known I need to leave early, I ask the professor beforehand, this is just being polite.

Then there is the person who misses a class, then loudly asks if they missed anything important. To that professor, every class is important, full of information necessary to pass that class. You might as well tell the professor they are irrelevant to you and your life.

Then there are the chronic talkers and whisperers. This is rude and disruptive for all. If you don’t sit in the first row, you end up not hearing all of the lecture or discussion. Grades may depend on that information.

Some people sleep in class and some even snore. Gum popping and chewing with a full mouth is a common sight. Noisy, messy or stinky eating in class is another rude practice. How can you take notes and eat chips or a full meal at the same time?

I have even seen people come to class and continuously blow their runny nose loudly, over and over, to the point it is hard not to get queasy. Please, leave the room for that in the future.

I know many people who do not take notes or even read the material assigned, then ask basic questions in class which was answered extensively in the assigned reading. This really wastes lecture time.

We have all probably committed one or two rude acts in classes, but do not make a habit of it. I am sure some of you could add to this list of offenses. This is only directed at the serial offenders. On behalf of underpaid, overworked professors, and classmates, please, class up your act.

Christine Marriott
UW-River Falls student