"Are you two finished talking?"
"No" was the reply to the professor's question, followed by a bunch of giggles. Is the answer "no" an option?
Side conver¬sations, walking in 30 minutes late or walking in and out of the classroom - all of these disrupt learning, but still some stu¬dents continue these habits.
Students' behavior in today's classroom is rude. Distractions like the extra noise in the back corner can divert the professor from the lesson.
These actions exemplify not only disrespect, but also ignorance.
"We expect them to be adults, come in a mature fashion and re¬spect members of the university," said Student Affairs Vice President Randy Gunter.
Students say the majority of the problems come from underclass¬men.
Comparing core curriculum classes and classes geared towards a major seems to confirm core cur¬riculum classes have more under¬classmen and disturbances. Major classes contain mostly seniors who have buckled down and are ready for business.
"Well, I know some of that has to do with just leaving high school," said Asha Bolton, a sophomore be¬havior analysis minor.
"Some people are not ready to handle mental and intellectual things that go along with college life," Bolton said.
There are many theories as to why students engage in rude behavior.
One is that students are on the HOPE Scholarship and don't take education seriously; for those who have to pay out of pocket, education is very important.
Marquice Pullen, a senior behav¬ior analysis major, has another theory.
He said mentally, many fresh¬men are still in high school. This should get better as they see peer leaders excelling around the college campus and progressing towards their future.
Until then, what is the solution?
There are rules and guidelines all students must follow in every edition of the student handbook.
Also, during freshman orientation students recite the code of ethics.
For the most part, it is not taken seriously.
"Incidents of misconduct have taken place inside the classroom, which have resulted in student ethic violations," said Gunter.
Gunter said professors are respon¬sible for classroom conduct. "Profes¬sors have to be consistent to create working responsibilities," he said.
Aspects of academic miscon¬duct are listed beginning on page 43 of the 2007-2008 student handbook and planner.
Disorderly conduct - rowdy, lewd, indecent behavior or breach of the peace - along with academic misconduct can result in warnings and community service, or more se¬vere consequences such as suspen¬sion or expulsion.
Students have to take these con¬sequences into account before they decide to disrupt the classroom.
Professors can, and should, report any incidents they consider disrespectful or discourteous. "The University strongly be¬lieves that 'academic integrity,' which includes honesty, trust, fairness, re¬spect and responsibility, are essential to student success inside and outside the classroom," Gunter said.
