It's 10 minutes past time for class to start, and the instructor hasn't shown up yet. The students decide to wait just a few more minutes.
Fifteen more minutes pass, and the students come to the conclusion the instructor is a no-show -- which makes the third time this semester. What should the students do?
John Haddock, interim vice provost for academic affairs, said students should talk to the chair of the department about the problem, and if the department doesn't handle the problem, contact the dean's office.
"There are things (a faculty member) can do." Haddock said. "I would call the office in advance (or) have a colleague come and be with the students."
Dr. Dixie Crase, consumer science and education chair, agrees with Haddock that students should go to the chair of their department. However, she said it may help to see the instructor first.
"Initially (the student should) speak with the faculty member. If the student doesn't feel comfortable with (that), see the chair -- and then the next step would be to talk to the dean," Crase said.
Fortunately, many students said they have not experienced an instructor being late or absent from their classes.
Sandra Smith, geography major, said she has not had a problem this semester with instructors being late or not showing up for class.
"Every one of my instructors is very professional and on time," Smith said. "I've been having a good semester."
Communication major Nicole Baker said she has an instructor who is often late, but overall has good instructors who are on time for class.
"They're pretty much on time and accurate," Baker said. "I feel good -- it's nice to know that we're going to have class that day they're on time."
However, some students said they have had problems with instructors who are often late or absent.
Ryan Berryhill, sophomore real estate major, is at The U of M for his first semester after transferring from Ole Miss. According to Berryhill, an instructor who is often excessively late or absent has left him with a sour impression of The University.
"I've had it where it's a crucial day, the day before a test or a quiz, and the professor has been late or didn't come at all," Berryhill said.
Berryhill lives in Lakeland, and said it takes him about 35 to 40 minutes to drive to campus. He said that it bothers him to make such a lengthy drive to school just to turn back around and go home because his professor did not show up.
"I can't reach my professor in the office and (there is) unreturned e-mail," Berryhill said, adding that he did not know who to contact other than the professor, concerning excessive absences or tardiness.
Berryhill jokingly said as a rule of thumb he waits 10 minutes for a professor and 15 minutes for a doctor.
What is the proper amount of time a student should wait for a professor to arrive?
Dr. Donald Carson, vice president of Student Affairs and vice provost for Enrollment Services, said to his knowledge the "15 minute rule" is not a policy.
"It's just been a custom," Carson said.
Crase said it would be reasonable for students to decide to leave after 10 minutes.
Peter Bridson, chemistry chair, said he believed after 15 minutes the students should collectively select someone to notify a person in the office.
"I would say after about 15 minutes a student body representative should find out what's going on," Bridson said.
Erin Boland, sociology major, said 15 minutes is a reasonable time to decide to leave.
"I say 15 minutes. It is short amount of time where you can get in some (studying)," Boland said.
David McKinney, a sophomore in business finance, said he has an art instructor who is often late but said that he understood that unforeseen delays happen.
"It's really not a problem to me." McKinney said. "I understand she is human and she tries. She is a good teacher."
Both Bridson and Crase said they have not received many complaints about absences or tardiness in the past or this semester.
Students who do not know where to turn or who to talk to should visit the chair of the department their class is in, and students should not fear that inadequate faculty members will not be penalized. According to Haddock, penalties for faculty members who are constantly tardy or absent are affected merit raises, and special schedule requests may not be granted.
"If this happens, the chairs need to know," Haddock said.
