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posted by on Tuesday May 16 2017, @03:57PM   Printer-friendly
from the wassup-prof? dept.

At the start of my teaching career, when I was fresh out of graduate school, I briefly considered trying to pass myself off as a cool professor. Luckily, I soon came to my senses and embraced my true identity as a young fogey.

After one too many students called me by my first name and sent me email that resembled a drunken late-night Facebook post, I took a very fogeyish step. I began attaching a page on etiquette to every syllabus: basic rules for how to address teachers and write polite, grammatically correct emails.

Over the past decade or two, college students have become far more casual in their interactions with faculty members. My colleagues around the country grumble about students' sloppy emails and blithe informality.

[...] Sociologists who surveyed undergraduate syllabuses from 2004 and 2010 found that in 2004, 14 percent addressed issues related to classroom etiquette; six years later, that number had more than doubled, to 33 percent. This phenomenon crosses socio-economic lines. My colleagues at Stanford gripe as much as the ones who teach at state schools, and students from more privileged backgrounds are often the worst offenders.

-- submitted from IRC

Source: The New York Times


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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 17 2017, @02:11AM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 17 2017, @02:11AM (#510878)

    As a millennial, I put no importance on the words used to initially address someone. Names as just labels. Tone is what matters. You sound like one of the majority of people who believe someone in a suit is a better and more important person than someone not in a suit. That line of thinking is bullshit and discriminatory. The first words people speak to someone are either to gain their attention or to socially manipulate them. Recognize that and get off your high horse. Intent matters. I can be far more insulting saying "Dr. Jones" than saying "hey".

    How is putting my elbows on a table insulting? There are many left over social codes which should be dropped. We're not supposed to have slave and master classes anymore.

  • (Score: 4, Touché) by NotSanguine on Wednesday May 17 2017, @04:00AM

    As a millennial, I put no importance on the words used to initially address someone.

    I suspect that won't serve you well. But I have no axe to grind. Do what you like.

    Names as just labels. Tone is what matters. You sound like one of the majority of people who believe someone in a suit is a better and more important person than someone not in a suit.

    You don't just sound like, you *are* someone who makes unfounded (and in this case, flat wrong) assumptions about people. It's rather amusing to me. I bet you're lots of fun at parties (at least for others laughing at you behind your back).

    I don't give a rat's ass about what people wear, or what kind of car they drive. Or anything other than whether or not they are decent human beings. A concept with which you are apparently unfamiliar.

    In a work environment, I believe that people are most productive when they feel most comfortable. If you are competent, that's good. If you're not, you can wear whatever you want, you're still incompetent.

    That line of thinking is bullshit and discriminatory. The first words people speak to someone are either to gain their attention or to socially manipulate them. Recognize that and get off your high horse. Intent matters. I can be far more insulting saying "Dr. Jones" than saying "hey".

    I disagree. My cats respond to tone only. Actual humans understand how you say things and *what* you say. That said, do whatever you want. I don't care.

    You know what else I don't care for? Your self-righteous attitude. Enjoy it. I'm sure it will take you far in life. Hopefully far away from me.

    How is putting my elbows on a table insulting? There are many left over social codes which should be dropped. We're not supposed to have slave and master classes anymore.

    I don't know. Maybe it hurts your elbows? I'm not sure what you're blathering on about, or what it has to do with being polite and respectful to *all* your fellow humans.

    You certainly seem to want to be nasty to me for no apparent reason. I don't remember kicking anybody's puppy or stealing anyone's girlfriend recently. So maybe the problem is you. Just a crazy thought.

    Have a great day!

    --
    No, no, you're not thinking; you're just being logical. --Niels Bohr