Classroom Code of Conduct - Advisory Only

“Published by the President’s Advisory Committee in cooperation with the Office of the President.”

While there are many informal situations in which people have neither the desire nor the right to prescribe how others ought to behave, a college classroom requires a higher level of courtesy than many people exercise in ordinary public space. Everyone in a classroom is there for the purpose of learning, and no one should be able to deprive another person of the chance to learn. Expressions of rudeness and even of carelessness degrade the high purpose of learning that should be paramount in a college classroom. Your professor expects that you as a student:

1. Will be attentive and courteous during class.
2. Will complete the assigned work according to the course schedule.
3. Will do all your own work and will not present anyone else’s work as your own.

Some More Specific Principles of Civil Conduct in a College Classroom:

• Do not cut classes, come in late, or leave early. If you ever are late for class, enter in complete silence and do not walk between the class and the professor. Never leave during class unless you absolutely must. Leaving for a short break and then returning is not acceptable. The professor is not a TV set, but is a person addressing the class, and it is rude to leave when someone is addressing you.
• Likewise, it is rude and unacceptable to talk with classmates while the professor (or another student who has the floor) is talking.
• Turn off cell phones and all other prohibited electronic devices.
• Eating or drinking are not acceptable during class.
• Wearing a hat that conceals your face is rude because the person who is addressing you cannot see you.
• Visible and noisy signs of restlessness are rude as well as disruptive to others. If you cannot sit still or stay awake, you should not be taking a college class. Do not begin packing your book bag or otherwise indicate that you think it is time for class to come to an end; wait for the professor to dismiss class. If the class period has ended but the professor has not finished and you cannot stay any longer, leave in complete silence.
• Come to class prepared to work. Bring writing materials and any other necessary instructional material with you, such as your text book, workbook, computer disks, etc. Make necessary financial arrangements so that you can purchase all such material at the beginning of the semester. It is a waste of money to pay for a class and then not buy the books you will be reading. Your professor expects you to obtain all necessary material in order to succeed in the course. Your professor also expects you to prepare for class by completing reading and homework assignments. If you are unprepared for class, this may prevent you from participating in a class activity. Do not present your lack of preparation as a problem for the professor to solve or excuse.
• Submit work and take tests on schedule. If you miss a test or fail to turn in work on time, you may not have the opportunity to make it up.
• The Honor Code prohibits lying, cheating, plagiarism and stealing; this is, of course, the most basic and most important of all principles of civilized academic behavior. For more information about or to report a violation of the Honor Code, contact the Dean of Students.