The students in the Fall 2007 Introduction to the Communication Major Workshop generated the following lists composed of rights, expectations, and responsibilities.

• Student Expectations of Teachers
• Expectations of Fellow Students
• Student Responsibilities

Student Expectations of Teachers

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

• Show up for class on time
• End class on time
• Start and end class on time. Late or early is cool too. i.e. please don’t make me late for my next class, then my only options are to either look rude and walk out while you are instructing or walk in late to my next class, at which time I am looked at again as if I am rude for not being capable of making it to my next class on time regardless of the fact that we only have 10 minutes between classes to climb the mountain which is our campus!
• Be punctual a high majority of the time (99%)
• Come to class prepared
• Arrive to class with prepared discussions
• Tell me their name
• Remember my name
• Respect my beliefs and culture
• Respect student’s opinions and beliefs
• Treat students as unique individuals
• Treat me as an equal
• Treat students with respect
• Take me seriously
• Take my questions seriously
• Treat the students with respect for their desire to learn, as peers rather than inexperienced children
• Treat me how they would like to be treated
• Take time to answer my questions
• Treat me with common courtesy, honesty and integrity
• Treat students equally
• Not favor some students unfairly
• Give everyone in the class a level playing field
• Offer equal opportunities to all students
• Not let their personal feelings for a student or that student’s views effect the way in which they grade and/or interact with that student
• Come to me if there is a problem with me or my work
• Celebrate Diversity!
• To allow for differences of opinion and/or interpretations without the need to make one right and one wrong
• To acknowledge myself and/or other students who raise their hands. Even if that acknowledgement is: In a minute or not right now. But if you do, do the in-a-minute...please actually come back to me. Other instructors say in a minute and never return!
• Use a fair grading system accordingly based on subject, class number and difficulty, possibly according to personal student ability
• Respect my opinion
• Respect my privacy
• Grade me equally
• Grade fairly
• Have the same expectations of all students regardless of race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or national origin
• Have a way for me to check my grades
• Create a positive environment
• Not try to intimidate students
• Allow me to feel comfortable asking questions
• Explain the method and format in which the class will be held (grading method, class exercise methods, teaching methods)
• Explain expectations of students (academic expectations, behavioral expectations)
• Fully explain the subject matter
• Give me directions that are clear and concise
• Present information clearly and organized
• Present assignments in an organized fashion
• Not use their classrooms to spread disinformation, blatant lies, propaganda, and/or as a means to indoctrinate the masses.
• Teach accurate information to the best of his/her ability –to not make up information when it is unknown, to not give inaccurate or out-of-date information,
• Not push personal doctrine on students, unless it is subject-related or helps to understand a situation
• Want success from all the students in class
• Include the class in discussions about the subjects we are learning
• Have outside office hours and times to meet with students
• Answer their emails when students have questions
• Offer study guides for exams
• Want me to pass their class
• Notify me when class is cancelled
• State clearly on the syllabus the points or value of different assignments i.e., attendance/participation, quizzes, in-class activities, papers, midterms, finals, etc.
• Provide a schedule of readings, quizzes, in-class activities, midterms, and finals. Be clear that the schedule is subject to change because life does happen but attempt to stay as on schedule as possible
• Take the time to make sure their directions are clear
• Hand out a syllabus on the first day of class and go over any item that may not be clear or seem ambiguous
• Have assignments due on the day that they are due
• Have exam scores back at least a week after the exam
• Make notes on assignments that need improvement
• Choose a textbook that fits the class subject
• Not answer their phone in class
• Mediate in class arguments
• Remove disruptive students
• To control their classrooms; i.e. Letting students know that if they are or need to participate in side conversations to take it outside so as to not disrupt student’s who want to be focused and engaged in the class.
• Discourage and take action against disruptive or disrespectful behavior in class i.e., texting, calling, chatting during class time
• Set ground rules for class conduct and stick to those rules. Do not allow some students to get away with things and others not
• Provide office hours for after class discussion of problems, questions, clarification, etc., and be there at those times
• Be available outside of class
• Be flexible with office hours/able to meet outside of class
• Teach me something
• Not waste my time. Avoid personal stories that have little or nothing to do with the class subject. To stay focused on the reason we are in class, which is to learn something we did not know before
• Act professionally which should be a higher standard then students
• Provide feedback and be clear about ways to improve, communicate, write better, be more analytical, etc.
• Be open for feedback, questions about policies, and able to explain their position of teaching style
• Explain when I seek clarification regarding an assignment or an issue what exactly it is that they are going for
• Let any student know that if they have special requirements or needs, there are resources available to them, how to access them, and be available to assist them if needed
• The right to petition for redress of grievances
• Keep in mind I have a busy life as well
• Be sensitive to different influences (life situation including work, sports, and family/social) affecting students and reserve judgment (grading) until all work has been submitted.
• Give a realistic amount of work. If you don’t intend for students to read a whole book, or read a whole chapter. Please don’t assign the whole thing. All that does is over-burden perpetual overachievers and gives “slackers” more vicarious free time.
• Understand that I have other classes
• To acknowledge that they are not the end-all-be-all of any subject or matter
• Engage in teaching free of political persuasion
• Not attempt to conform student’s world view to their own, but to give a means for students to shape their own based on sound and credible knowledge.
• Be open-minded
• Recognize the importance and value of the “marketplace of ideas!” Acknowledge that proper policy and truth require a diverse array of contributions, ideas and opinions and are essential components of a “supposed” liberal democracy.
• Teach in multiple ways for different learning styles
• Offer individual help to students that may need it
• Be open to questions
• Be open-minded to questions and comments
• To not respond to a students’ questions or inquiries until they have had the opportunity to fully ask their question or express their sentiment, whether within or outside of class i.e. not to answer questions or respond to sentiments before they have been fully expressed
• Acknowledge the generational Gap! Even “younger” instructors were raised in another time and another place. The world is not in any way the same. That is not a “students are o so unique” thing, it’s reality. The world is not the same. The information that is available to us. Many instructors were not even rasied with the web which has fundamentally changed the speed at which information is disseminated. Also the society and government in which we grew up with is nowhere near the one that our instructors did, that fundamentally changes things in significant ways.

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Expectations of Fellow Students

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.

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Student Responsibilities

As a student, I have the responsibility to:

• Turn in my assignments on time
• Turn work in on time
• Get my work done, no excuses
• Turn in assignments that are neat and organized
• Stay on topic and help keep the class on point
• Plan ahead, and know when my deadlines are
• Stay organized in the class
• Turn in assignments on time and completed to the best of my ability
• Do all assignments thoroughly
• Turn things in on time
• Keep up with the class
• Come to class prepared
• Come to class prepared so the teacher can teach what he or she expects (and doesn’t have to teach what he or she expects you have learned, example=reading)
• Sit silently listening and not distract other students (phones, food, talking, etc.)
• For me: not eat during a class
• Arrive on time and be prepared for class
• Come to class on time
• Show up to class on time
• Be on time
• Suit up and show up
• Not be habitually late or absent
• Be punctual a majority of the time (90%)
• Be prepared for class everyday
• Come to class prepared: with supplies and reading/assignments completed
• Stay on task
• Come prepared for class
• Respect my instructor
• Pay attention and focus on the class, instructor or whoever is talking
• Pay attention to lectures
• Be polite and considerate
• Treat me teachers and fellow students with respect
• Be respectful and courteous to both my teach and fellow students
• Respect instructor’s opinions and beliefs
• Stay awake during class
• Not sleep during class
• Refrain from neglectfully disturbing other members of the class
• Respect my teachers and fellow students
• Respect my professors’ opinions
• Be courteous
• Not speak out of turn
• Respect the money and time that my teacher and fellow students are putting into the class
• Be polite and courteous to others
• Keep my verbal as well as non-verbal communication in check
• Listen and be attentive during lectures and class time
• Try and put forth my best effort in the class
• Utilize the opportunity for higher education. Not everyone is so fortunate to have the opportunity to receive higher education. Be grateful
• Utilize your time. Be organized and prepared
• Attend most if not all of the class meetings
• Be honest with my teachers and let them know if I have questions
• Seek clarification if I am confused
• Communicate problems in an appropriate forum
• Ask questions when things are unclear or confusing
• Be considerate of other students’ feelings and beliefs
• Include others in group discussions
• Take responsibility for myself when working within groups for class assignments
• Participate and contribute equally in group assignments
• Raise my hand
• Participate
• Participate in class discussions
• Participate and contribute
• Ask questions if I don’t understand
• Seek clarification when needed
• Communicate with your instructors. Keep them in the loop.
• Pay attention and focus on the class, instructor or whoever is talking
• Be aware of me cell phone and keep it silent during class
• Turn off my cell phone before class
• Have phones/pagers turned off
• Pay attention to the grade I have in the class
• Respect my professors’ teaching styles even if I don’t agree with them
• Take responsibility for my education
• Be honest and have integrity. Do your own work. It might sound lame but you really do only cheat yourself. Don’t cheat, don’t steal other peoples, work, copy, plagiarize, etc.
• Take the initiative for your own classes and the completion of your degree. Not one will do it for you
• Be understanding when people don’t meet my expectations
• Hold others accountable for their actions when they violate University rules and regulations that negatively influences our campus community
• Judge myself by the same standards I feel others should follow
• Not be disruptive during class
• Follow and respect course policies
• Become an active learner, fully engaged in both intellectual and human growth
• Treat all members of the campus community with civility, respect and courtesy
• Communicate prior to when I will be missing class, turning in a late assignment, special dates, etc.
• Challenge the teachings if my experience is different or varied for the curriculum being taught
• Act like an adult by being responsible for my actions, decisions, completed coursework, test results, etc.
• Improve with feedback and constructive criticism, striving to turn in improved assignments and going beyond the “standard” required
• Read the instructions for assignments clearly and turn in work as per those instructions. If anything is unclear, to ask for clarification so as to submit the best work possible.
• Examine each topic or question through an objective lens, withholding bias until it is fully explained
• Take my education seriously and make the time I am in class worth it for both myself and the University
• Challenge myself by going beyond what is required for “passing”
• Treat all other students the same regardless of race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or national origin
• 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
• Be sensitive to the fact that there are many different cultures and peoples in the classroom and be respectful when asking delicate questions regarding race, culture, ethnicity, etc.
• Recognize and acknowledge diversity in life experiences, views and opinion
• Complete assignments and adhere to the instruction for such
• Have fun and learn something
• Learn from the class I’m taking, since I’m paying for it
• Take advantage of the amazing opportunity to meet new people, learn new things, and grow as a human being
• Keep my questions serious
• Dress appropriately
• Remember my teacher has a life as well
• Leave my personal problems at the door
• Attend class for the sake of the professor; if he/she is taking the time to teach then I should be there to learn (it might bring satisfaction to the teacher to know that I’m getting something out of it)
• Treat fellow students and teachers as unique individuals
• Be sensitive to different influences (life situation including work, sports, and family/social) affecting other students and teachers
• Refrain from non-constructive criticism (negativity) when engaging other students
• Receive constructive criticism in a constructive, respectful and appropriate manner
• Realize that 10 to 100 other students are in the class and consider this when speaking with the teacher (includes: asking questions, after class, debating the teacher during class)
• Not dominate conversation
• Not have side conversations
• Not talk to fellow students except when instructed to do so
• Separate my social life, and problems that stem from it, from school
• Expect from myself what I expect from fellow students or teachers (in the appropriate context)

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