The students in the Fall 2007 Introduction to the Communication Major Workshop generated the following list of actions that they believe they have the right to expect from fellow students. They are good to know so you can help make the learning environment better for everyone.

As a student, I have the right to expect my fellow students to:

• Do their own work
• Be responsible for their mistakes
• Respect the teacher during class
• Keep their mouths closed during lectures
• Be respectful in the classroom
• Keep their distractions outside of class
• Not be disruptive during class
• Try not to distract me from the lectures
• Keep distractions to a minimum
• This one some may say is pushing it: However if you must graze and snack while in the midst of class: One: Please acknowledge some find it rude to eat in a class so they often are starving, so please don’t spend a half hour on one snack, all the while blowing cheeto breath or whatever all over your neighbors. Two please recognize you are in a classroom chewing like cattle are not only distracting it’s uncomfortable to have to watch.
• Not side talk during class. It’s so rude and disturbing and people who don’t want to hear not only are subjected without choice but then also are unable to focus on what’s happening in the class.
• Respect the teacher and other students
• Sit silently listening and not distract other students (phones, food, talking, etc.)
• Refrain from non-constructive criticism (negativity) when engaging other students
• Respect their fellow students’ rights to learn, even if they themselves don’t care for the subject matter
• Refrain from chatting with other students unless the assignment or class situation calls for it
• Turn their cell phones in silent during class
• Please not have cell phones and pagers on and/or going off, or even worse answer your phone in class or respond to text messages, what is that about.
• Turn off their cell phones before class
• Not be disruptive during class (cell phones talking)
• Keep the iPod volume to a minimum if they MUST ignore the teacher
• Take responsibilities for their own assignments
• Be responsible for their own work
• Worry about their own education
• Keep their eyes on their own paper during exams
• Take responsibility for their grades
• Raise their hand when they have a question
• Wait their turn in a discussion
• Respect my beliefs and culture
• Treat me how they would like to be treated
• Work together in a group project
• Be positive in the learning environment
• Show up for class on time
• Leave class when class is over
• Be open-minded to other students opinions
• Be open minded to new ideas and share experiences that are relevant to the topic being discussed
• Not force their opinions on other students
• Be respectful of other student’s opinions and beliefs
• Be respectful
• Treat all other students the same regardless of race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or national integrity
• Be sensitive to different influences (life situation including work, sports, and family/social) affecting other students
• Respect fellow students’ questions and refrain from insulting the students in any way for questioning
• Not get into dialogues with me when I am addressing an instructor or class. If you have something to say, introduce yourself and talk to me outside of class. My sentiments are not directed at you which one: makes a response inappropriate and two you’re taking something personal that wasn’t directed at you.
• Not put students down for questions or comments
• Withhold from interrupting other students while asking a question or making a speech (this applies to the teacher as well)
• Be respectful of the teacher’s opinions and decisions
• Be respectful of the teacher and outside influences of that teacher
• Keep their hands to themselves
• Be respectful of my personal space
• Be respectful of my belongings
• Respect my property as well as others
• Be creative or offer ideas in a group
• Act like adults and be responsible for their own selves
• Take responsibility for themselves when working within groups for class assignments
• Contribute equally in group projects
• Be helpful rather than distracting
• Come to class on time
• Be punctual a majority of the time (90%)
• Show up to class on time
• Turn in their assignments on time
• Stay on topic during class discussions (unless appropriate)
• Complete readings before coming to class
• Be on time and prepared for class
• Be respectful of the learning environment by being quiet and attentive during lectures or other presentations
• So important: please before and after class: do not loudly share all the intimate details of your life with friends and acquaintances, I don’t want to know who you slept with last night, or what your boyfriend/or girlfriend did to you, or all about the fight with your friend or parent. Some things are better left in private.
• Not waste my time with personal side tangents that have nothing to do with what we’re doing
• Ask questions when things are unclear or confusing
• Be aware of excessive questioning, getting off topic, or going off on a tangent when contributing to the discussion and stop it
• Be sensitive to the facts that there are many different cultures and peoples in the classroom and be respectful when asking delicate questions regarding race, culture, ethnicity, etc.
• Not be judgmental of someone who is asking a question that may seem simple or obvious to you but be understanding that they are trying to learn too
• Refrain from interrupting me when I speak
• Withhold from interrupting other students while asking a question or making a speech (this applies to the teacher as well)
• Realize that 10 to 100 other students are in class and consider this when speaking with the teacher (includes asking questions after class, debating the teacher during class)
• To not speak over myself or others…common courtesy.
• Participate in discussions
• List so things don’t have to be repeated and waste class time
• Think before you speak.
• Leave room for manners. It is so difficult to practice manners in an educational setting. If you don’t keep your hand raised the whole time someone else is talking, (which is non-verbal communication that what they are saying is not important and you are waiting for your turn) Like ten people are going to talk before you. Also if you’re not on the defensive everyone is just going to talk right over you. So yeah; Leave room for manners and chivalry.