Source: James Sarmiento

In the last few weeks the students in my Intro to Communications class have been arriving later and later or not showing up at all.  My policy is a 10-minute grace period before you’re considered late and beyond that absent.  This used to be my most punctual class.  Last week the class watched a documentary about Alexander Graham Bell’s development of the telephone.  It was actually interesting! Nearly half the class arrived 10, 20, 30 minutes late!  I’d had it and after the film sternly announced that I would begin deducting points for tardiness.

When the class met this week almost everyone arrived on time. On the attendance sheet I noted which students were late.  After class one student approached me to protest.  He argued  “You’re not being fair, I wasn’t that late, I was finishing up work for another class, I was only five minutes late.” After hearing this I was livid!  First of all he interrupted me while another student was interviewing me for a feature story.  This conversation should have taken place in my office and not in the presence of another student. The irate student barely participates in class and his grades are average.  Once he was 30 minutes late because he couldn’t find anything to wear. Of course I can appreciate fashion but the students must appreciate the importance of their education and my time.

My response to him was “I changed my policy because the students changed their behavior; I can make any changes to MY class I see fit!”   He continued to push and said, “You just want to lower people’s grades.” What’s beyond livid?  That’s what I hit after this remark.  I told him that instead of attempting to argue with me he should concentrate on his next assignment and then dismissed him.  Professors do not give grades; students earn them.

Air Kisses,

Professor Diva Mac