No Tolerance Policy
Texting and cell phone use keeps you from learning,
so their use is rude to your parents but also rude to
the taxpayers. You and your parents pay for only a portion
of your education, even if you are not on financial
aid. At this institution, taxpayers pay for more than
70% of your education, and — understandably —
they do not want to be cheated.
Cell phone and computer use is also unforgivably rude
to those who attend class with you. Texting, talking,
buzzing, and talking all distract the teacher and annoy
your fellow students.
Therefore, I cannot allow you to use of cell phones,
laptops, and other electronic devices in class.
- Laptops. Due to frequent abuse of laptops, I must
forbid their use unless you have a documented disability
that requires the use of a laptop. This policy also
applies to blackberries and other handheld devices.
- Cell phones: Please turn them all the way
off. Do not place them on your desk as if
you are expecting a message at any moment or are prepared
to race out of the room with them in case of a fire.
Do not turn them on vibrate or silent. For this class,
try to pretend that you live before the time of cell
phone use.
- Few students would be so rude as to send text messages
in class. Such students are so insensitive that they
only respond to overt public humiliation. Keep that
in mind.
- MP3 players, Ipods, and other gadgets: Don't be
ridiculous! I can't think of anything more rude than
sitting in a class with your headphones on.
- Penalties for the abuse of my policy:
- If I see that your phone is on, even if it is
set on vibrate or silent mode, I will ask you
to turn it off. The second time that happens,
I will mark you absent.
- I will warn the first student whose cell phone
rings in class. Subsequent abuses by any student
will result in an absence.
- If I see you texting in class, I will mark you absent.
- This penalty also applies when you are attending
any other event, such as a play or lecture, that I
assigned as part of this course.
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