Late students insult permissive professors and fellow students

House Editorial

Class begins at 8 a.m. At 8:02, the first perpetrators enter. "The Hillside lot was full," one mumbles. "So was the gravel lot," explains another. Their tolerant professor nods and class continues.

At 8:05, a second group of stragglers joins. "My computer ate my paper," one says. "And my printer broke," offers another. Interrupted for a second time, the professor restarts the lecture.

At 8:17, with heads bowed, the worst perpetrators enter. Some attempt to hide the steaming Java City cups underneath their jackets and behind their bags. Most say nothing. Though they appear shameful, that first sip of coffee must subdue the instinctual impulses to apologize for their tardiness. In a 50-minute class, the first 15 minutes of lecture are missed or interrupted. Still, the much-too-patient professor restarts and so begins another class.

This trend worsens as final’s week nears. What once were isolated incidents have become an epidemic. More students seem to arrive late and fewer professors seem to care.

Day after day, hoards of students ignore the seldom-enforced expectations of promptness placed upon them by well meaning professors. But beyond the expectations of the school, students have come to ignore a fundamental expectation of society. When did it become OK to be late?

Sure, some situations present valid excuses. Emergencies do happen. Cars break, flu season sets in and, sometimes, religious practices conflict with class schedules. But these are rare and to claim that missing class for a coffee-fix is insulting to both professors and peers. Even the classic "my dog ate my homework" line seems more socially acceptable than the lame assertion that a morning cup of coffee or broken printer should excuse tardiness.

Rarely are valid excuses offered by the hoards of students who eventually decide to show for class. Most don’t even explain at all. It is this lack of respect that is most alarming.

Students on this campus are known for their courteousness. We open doors, we smile and say "hello," and regularly the Darts & Pats are filled with sincere "thank you’s" to this or that kind Samaritan. Why are professors seldom granted the same respect with which we acknowledge fellow students?

To cure this epidemic, both students and professors must be held accountable. We applaud the professors who refuse to tolerate tardiness. We regret that more don’t strictly enforce attendance and late policies. Students, too, must be responsible for their own success. Stop with the appalling excuses and go to class on time. Your professors will thank you for it.