2008 Woodie Awards
Western professors profess their pet peeves
Compiled by Nicole Perry
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So, a new term, a new year, and for most students a slew of new professors. It is now no longer clear if eating in class is OK or not, who is a stickler on getting to class before the bells chime and who really keeps the office hours they post. So what is a harried student to do? Here is a compiled list of things that aggravate, irritate and annoy most of the faculty and staff on campus, so when in doubt whip out this guide and keep your professors (and everyone else) happy.
Number one pet peeve (Do not do this!): Missing class and then asking whether you missed anything important. This may seem like an innocent question, but with this little statement you are implying that not everything said in class, and not every day of class, is important, which is clearly an insult to your professor. Assistant Professor of Speech Communication Dr. Emily Plec suggests asking if the professor would mind catching you up with what you missed instead.
Other pet peeves, in no particular order:
Jerrie Lee Parpart, Instructional Support and Facilities Coordinator: When students disrespect others by not cleaning up their study space when they are finished, (e.g. leaving trash, used Kleenex or chewed gum on/under the tables.)
Allen Risen, Occupational Environmental Specialist: I have one major pet peeve here at Western: TRASH. Students will clean out their vehicles in parking lots and throw their trash on the ground to share with all and expect someone else to dispose of it properly. This trash not only looks bad but can be a safety and health hazard!
Mark Perlman, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion: When students ask, "Is this going to be on the test?" (As if the only value anything said in class would have is if it were on the test.)
Henry Hughes, Assistant Professor of English: Indifference. Students may agree or disagree with the ideas put forth in class-and I enjoy a good argument-but a complete lack of interest and engagement, a shrug or an "I don't really care" is truly disappointing.
Deborah Jones, Professor of Theatre and Dance: Being in class, but not being present.
Karen J. Nelles, R.D., Director of Food Services: Eating in the Food Court. Valsetz Dining Hall asks that everyone pay for all food before eating. Many items are weighed, and the food needs to be present for purchase. Eating in the food court is considered theft. Selecting paper plates instead of china when dining in. Many paper plates could be saved from being sent to a landfill if customers would always select a china plate when dining in. Also, china plates could be re-used daily if customers leave them in Valsetz. There are times that customers take out trays and china dishes and do not return them. Valsetz spends $8,000 annually to replace missng trays and dishes.
Michael Ward, Professor of Mathematics: People who are proud of their ignorance in math. I have never once heard anyone brag about not being able to read, but at least every week someone tells me, with apparent pleasure, that they cannot do math at all! Also students who only do math homework once a week-or never do it all-and then complain that they don't understand what is going on in class.
Teresa Bybee, Telecommunications Coordinator: When we try and help students and they are talking on their cell phones.
Tim Bowman, Assistant Football Coach and Assistant Professor of Athletics: When students just walk across Monmouth Avenue without looking. I'm waiting for the day a car hits a pedestrian who walked out in the road without looking, and I'll go to court in support of the driver. The pedestrian is as wrong as the driver. No one wins and maybe someone dies. Is it worth not looking?
Dr. Katherine Schmidt, Writing Center Director and Assistant Professor of English: I have found a way to miraculously revise a former aversion into a delight: When a student's cell phone rings during class time, she is obligated to provide her classmates with fabulous treats (e.g., donuts, brownies, cupcakes, pizza, etc.) the following class meeting. Needless to say, the lingering peal of a phone from the depths of a book bag now prompts waves of unanimous enthusiasm and heightens levels of thoughtfulness in cell-phone owners everywhere-. With just one ring, everybody wins.
Gudrun Hoobler, Associate Professor of Modern Languages: Yawning with open mouths, feet on chairs during class, packing up books before class is over, turning in papers with ragged edges, turning in messy assignments, not stapling papers together, crimping papers to make them stay together, not being prepared for discussions.
Elisa Maroney, Assistant Professor of Special Education: Use of cell phones and, especially, text messaging during class!
Aaron Worley, Coordinator of Student Activities: Students not taking advantage of events or activities happening around campus. We offer so much at no cost or minimal cost, so take advantage!
E. Michelle (Mickey) Pardew, Ph.D., Professor of Special Education: One thing that comes to mind is captured in a quotation that I post on my door: "The lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part." Because we are so accommodating at Western we are often caught up in what is a student-created emergency. It would be great if all individuals kept this in mind!
Dr. Carol Harding, Humanities Division Chair and Associate Professor of English, Writing and Lingusitics: Coming to class unprepared, sniffing (i.e. instead of blowing one's nose), especially during a test.
Charles Varani, Adjunct Professor of English, Writing and Linguistics: Students wandering in late day after day. Nothing deters them: not talking with them privately, not publicly humiliating them, not even their failing the midterm. Students who have nothing to contribute to a class beyond revealing the crude details of the behavior they engaged in at a party when they were too drunk to restrain themselves. In short, rudeness.