I teach at an undergraduate (primarily) university, and deal with new freshmen students every fall. Some things the freshman orientation is really good at; some things not so much... Be polite, be considerate, and keep in mind basic etiquette guidelines.
I have ten suggestions for freshmen and other undergraduates and graduate students, even, for university etiquette. This is not the guide for profs -- I think I might try one of those later, as that is equally important.
Am I being unreasonable? I don't think so, but your mileage may vary and you are sure to correct me here if you disagree, or add on if you think of other things. How do I know this? It is the way of the DailyKos folks...
Dr. Grumpy Boardman's rules for excruciatingly correct behaviour:
- Do not do stuff in class that is not for the class. For example, do not read a newspaper or a book or other material in class unless that is the assignment for the class. It seems pretty basic, but I did this to a prof once on a regular basis, and it is terrible, I feel terrible, that I did it. But it is rude, and particularly if you are doing work for another class you are short-changing both classes (the one you are poorly preparing for, and the one you are in at that moment). You would be less rude simply missing the current class, rather than pissing off the prof...
- Ask before bringing in a computer to class. Some profs do not like that, and find it distracting. I will not automatically assume that you are focused on the class if you are typing away on the computer. In fact, I know from experience that the internet has a strong call to you. But that is not really the point -- your typing is never absolutely quite, and that could be distracting for your colleagues sitting close to you. If you have anything on the screen other than text (a website, for example), it is also distracting for those around you. Also, believe me when I say that when I give exams I expect you to handwrite your answers, and if you are taking notes longhand it may well be easier for you to write the answer for the exams.
- Unless told specifically it is okay, do not bring food into class. There are signs up all over campus saying "No food and drink" and that is for the cleaning staff to keep things more under control. I generally tell students that drink (non-alcoholic, of course) is fine, but food is out of the question. It is smelly, noisy, and can make others hungry. I sometimes bring something to share, on special occasions. If you want to bring something for the class, we can talk about it. Again, this is politeness.
- The smelly, noisy part of food can also apply to gum. If you must chew gum (yuck), chew gum that is not particularly smelly (I cannot stand the smell of Juicy Fruit, but others really get nauseous at the smell of Bubble Gum scent), and for heaven's sake, CHEW WITH YOUR MOUTH CLOSED and do not blow bubbles in class. Thank you.
- Do not be hostile to your teacher about grades or assignments. I realize that you have lots of other classes and other duties. I will be reasonable for unforseen circumstances (deaths or illness, military call-ups, automobile accidents). But a full time course load is a full time job. The formula is that you are expected to spend at least 2 hours outside of class for every hour you spend in class. Some classes will take more, and none will take that on a regular basis and never get to be more in particular weeks. I am responsible for making sure you get exposure to the material and if you put into the class what I ask you to put into it, you will learn the material. Your grade is dependent on achieving that, not on your paying the fee for the class. You are not "owed" any grade. You will not get anywhere by telling me that you paid for it, so you should get whatever grade you needn -- you will get the grade you earn (This very seldom happens, honestly, but I have been teaching for more than 15 years, and I have had a couple of these conversations).
- If you don't want to take the course, don't. I won't be offended. I like this material, and hope you will too. If you don't like it, then I would rather the seats be available for people who do want the course. But talking about what a waste this class is, or what you would rather be doing is rude. Don't be rude. Again, this is not something I regularly overhear, but it happens. I am lucky in that I don't teach classes that people have to take (there are options unless you are majoring in my subject, which is not something anyone does unless he or she like the subject).
- Following on from #5 and #6: I know this class is probably not the most important thing in your life (honest!). That doesn't offend me, either. But there are such things as polite fictions. You don't tell me that you would rather have been in another section and I won't know it. I will be happy to put all this effort into your success in the class, because I will pretend to believe that you really care (and you might be surprised -- sometimes that pretense becomes reality). Along the same lines, sometimes the discretion is the best course. Don't tell me that you didn't come to class because you were trying to get into a different class, but finally came because that wasn't possible. Just say "I am sorry I missed the first couple of days of class, can I get a syllabus from you and catch up?"
- You are responsible for the classes and material you miss. Some profs will provide you with handouts in advance, some won't. But if you know you are going to miss a class exam or assignment, let me know as far in advance as possible. If you missed without knowing in advance, after the fact please contact me (after having gotten the notes from someone else in class) and let me know if you have any questions, or need to make something up. The stereotypical wrong thing to say is "Did I miss anything important?" Don't say that.
- Don't wear inappropriate clothing to class. I don't want to see your underwear, or be able to see from your nipples through a sheer or too-tight shirt when the classroom is too cold, or be confronted by obscene quotes or tshirts with naked men or women on them. Assume I am a bit of a prude. I am old enough to be your mother. Do you really want people to think you are this way or that way from your clothing? Tight is one thing, too tight is really something else.
- If you ask for a favour, it is polite to say "thank you". Do you want a letter of recommendation? I will write it for you if I can, but you should let me know if/when you get the job or internship or into the grad school you have applied to. And you should also say "thank you," even if only in an email. Do not say just "Thank you in advance" and assume that is enough. The same goes for course overrides. If I let you in to an already-full class, then please understand I am doing you a favour, and you should be willing to say "thank you" -- again this is basic politeness.
We are all in very intense, intellectual, emotional environment at university. I may sound grumpy, but I really really love my job, and I love teaching. As a teacher, I have duties to you. As a student, you have responsibilities too. We all have a responsibility to get along and politeness and consideration help both sides of the equation.