Civility debate, from type A to D
Proposal seeks to help professors with classroom management
Kara Chapman
Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: News
Students' tongues have been wagging all around Saint Louis University's campus about the Classroom Civility Initiative, a document drafted by the Civility in the Classroom Committee. While the proposal is intended to "create an educational climate of excellence and respect," some students have expressed doubts.
"College is supposed to be a time of freedom and self-monitoring," said Amanda Reed, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. "If students are not allowed to do that, we might as well go back to high school."
The initiative, which has yet to be approved by Provost Joe Weixlmann, classifies misbehaviors and gives guidelines for faculty reactions. Behaviors are divided by degree of intensity into four types: A, B, C and D.
Type A behaviors are considered minor and include text messaging and frequent tardiness. Type B behaviors are repeated Type A offenses. Those infractions would be dealt with in the classroom by the faculty or staff member and would not be referred to the Conduct Office.
Type C behaviors are those that can result in a "guarded classroom environment" and include harassing comments and ridicule. Type D is the most extreme offenses-violent rage or threats, for example. These behaviors would be referred to the Conduct Office for further judicial action.
Proactive actions are also suggested, such as "conduct[ing] workshops for faculty" and explaining of academic conduct expectations through U101 and SLU 101.
The committee has been working with SGA on the project, which resulted in a revised second draft.
"The first draft was in definite need of improvement, but students were able to voice their opinion and get changes made," SGA President Andrew Clifton said.
SGA drafted their first version of a student section for the initiative and presented it at the Nov. 7 SGA meeting. (For further details, see "SGA senators present draft of student section in Civility Code.")
However, many students have remained skeptical and sometimes critical of the document.
"College is supposed to be a time of freedom and self-monitoring," said Amanda Reed, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. "If students are not allowed to do that, we might as well go back to high school."
The initiative, which has yet to be approved by Provost Joe Weixlmann, classifies misbehaviors and gives guidelines for faculty reactions. Behaviors are divided by degree of intensity into four types: A, B, C and D.
Type A behaviors are considered minor and include text messaging and frequent tardiness. Type B behaviors are repeated Type A offenses. Those infractions would be dealt with in the classroom by the faculty or staff member and would not be referred to the Conduct Office.
Type C behaviors are those that can result in a "guarded classroom environment" and include harassing comments and ridicule. Type D is the most extreme offenses-violent rage or threats, for example. These behaviors would be referred to the Conduct Office for further judicial action.
Proactive actions are also suggested, such as "conduct[ing] workshops for faculty" and explaining of academic conduct expectations through U101 and SLU 101.
The committee has been working with SGA on the project, which resulted in a revised second draft.
"The first draft was in definite need of improvement, but students were able to voice their opinion and get changes made," SGA President Andrew Clifton said.
SGA drafted their first version of a student section for the initiative and presented it at the Nov. 7 SGA meeting. (For further details, see "SGA senators present draft of student section in Civility Code.")
However, many students have remained skeptical and sometimes critical of the document.
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