Opinion
Professors deserve respect from students
Story by Shane McMillan | April 9, 2008
Montana Kaimin
The other day, I sat in a class full of students who were tearing a professor apart for the wording of some questions on a midterm. I agreed with them: The test wasn’t perfect, but I was shocked. It wasn’t what they were saying, but how they were saying it: There was a tone of total dismissal in the air.
The whole situation showed me again one of the greatest weaknesses of our generation: our lack of respect. I see it a lot here, students disrespecting professors.
Lively debate is the foundation of a liberal arts degree, but students cannot forget the importance of experience and first-hand knowledge. A lot of great things have come out of challenging the ideas of previous generations, but we need to not be so sassy and mean about it.
Today’s students grew up in a youth-oriented culture, one that has attempted to value their opinions and ideas more than most any other in recent history. Rather than demanding our respect, our parents’ generation asked for it. We have been treated well. I hope we are ready to return the favor.
Just because respect hasn’t always been demanded of all of us, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t demand it of ourselves. We may not agree with all the stances of our professors, but there are ways to express dissenting arguments without demeaning the person on the other side of the issue.
We young people may be able do all sorts of crazy stuff on the Internet or have knowledge our professors don’t, but that doesn’t make us smarter or more in touch with the world. It also doesn’t make us any better if we don’t understand the basic concepts of the subjects we are studying, something technical know-how can’t replace.
If we are going to get hired for good jobs and lead society in the future, we must demand and graciously receive respect from others and ourselves. I know the world won’t crumble if we don’t listen to our elders; it’s not the demise of society if we speak our minds in a respectful manner, but we are all primates here. As such, we need each other; I think that is reason enough.
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Comments
I was glad to finally see this issue addressed. When I was a student, I was also amazed at the disrespect shown to professors/instructors here at The University of Montana. I have seen students in my classes tell a professor to F*** off. I have listened to them argue (not discuss or debate-argue) with professors over the length or requirements of mid-terms, finals or projects just as they were due. When I finally got tired of listening to the same people argue with the professor time after time, I spoke up. What I said was that if they didn’t feel they were capable of completing the requirements, they shouldn’t have taken the course after seeing the syllabus the first day of class. The requirements were all there in black and white the first day. Furthermore, that I was tired of having paid for a course, eager to receive instruction and gain knowledge from a professor that I respected only to have to spend the 1st 30-45 minutes of each class listening to the same students whine, complain and argue because they were not capable of completing the work or show up for the required number of classes. I agree with your assessments and opinion Shane! Respect for knowledge and experience is sadly lacking, as is common courtesy.
Posted by Tammy McKee on 04/09/2008 at 8:27 am
I agree with Shane and Tammy! The lack of disrespect that I have seen in the classroom environment is ridiculous. I think my generation has forgot about relaxed school has become in the discipline area. I totally agree that the whining needs to stop. Just a word to those who complain about an exam or project: Please, read the syllabus and decide from their if you are going to meet the standard, and if you can’t read it, go back to middle school or high school. And furthermore, yeah...I agree that some tests are sometimes a little sketchy, but I have found out over my 5 year period as a college student that a well planned discussion with a professor often earns you respect, and shows them that you have the willingness to succeed. No wonder why Professors give students a bad grade even if they complain and are rude and disrespectful. Bottom line...buck up, show some respect, and be professional. After all, you are in college!!!
Posted by Jason H. on 04/10/2008 at 8:12 am
