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February 21, 2006
Dear Professor, Let's Be Buds
An article in the Times reports the strange effect that e-mail is having on student-professor relationships. E-mail has happily enabled greater professor accessibility, but many students are inadvertently abusing the tool. Somehow, students now think that sending off a quick "I have a hangover, so I'm not coming to class" electronic missive is an acceptable practice and worthy of clemency. Other students deluge professors with bizarre and inane questions or are embolded to complain petulantly about grades. Often, the tone is casual, presumptuous, or downright imperative. To me, this says more about a cultural mindset than technology.
Still, this article offers strange comfort to me. At least now I need not blame the contents of my inbox solely on my age or adjunct/assistant status. After all, if a professor at UC Davis can receive this from a student:
Should I buy a binder or a subject notebook? Since I'm a freshman, I'm not sure how to shop for school supplies. Would you let me know your recommendations? Thank you!
...then I need not be too distressed by similar notes:
I'm not sure what to put on the top of my paper. Am I supposed to put my name up there? Or do I need to make a cover page? What should go on that? Thanks.
At least, that's what I'll tell myself.
Professorial Masquerade | By elissa | 04:57 PM
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