As classes go full speed ahead, students are beginning to receive more work and getting involved in University organizations, but some are also becoming more disruptive in the classroom and around campus.
Disruptive student behavior has become an issue that must be dealt with, Dr. Keith McFarland addressed in the faculty meeting prior to the start of the fall semester.
“Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to, being rude to other people, destructive criticism of another, arriving late repeatedly, sleeping during class, belligerent or aggressive behavior and so on,” said Jiaming Sun, assistant professor of sociology and criminal justice.
If any problems arise, faculties at the University are expected to deal with the issue promptly.
“Serious or repeated breaches in appropriate behavior may result in a degradation of your final grade in the course and may be referred to additional University authorities,” Sun said.
Sun has also found that only one-third of all students are doing their best to achieve good grades in class. They are doing this by listening, actively thinking, discussing, taking notes, attending class on time and being well prepared for the class before it starts.
The other two-thirds of students may fit into what is defined as “the abnormal student.” These students are mainly unprepared because they have not read the material.
Because of this, the student cannot actively discuss the topics of the lecture and he or she will sit at the back of the room talking to other students around them.
Some students may earn the label of “procrastinator.” These are students who are engaged in full time jobs or have social and/or emotional problems. They sometimes have trouble with attendance and doing more than the minimum required for courses.
“I do think students in the University needs to learn not just knowledge; more important is to learn how to be a good citizen and to be cultivated with good manners to others,” said Sun.
Although the majority of the faculty sees disruptive student behavior as a major concern on campus, students disagree with idea that only two-thirds of students in classes fit that description.
“We have to pay for school, so we are more responsible, and appreciate the chance we have been given to learn,” said undergraduate Jack Kaisler.
Even though there are occasional instances where students are text messaging during class and answering phone calls, students do not think these minor disturbances are big problems at the University.
“The newfound freedom that we now have makes us respectful, and we seem to realize that we are kind of thankful for the opportunity that we have,” said undergraduate Daniel Kurt.
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