Dear Student--
As we discussed, your classroom actions today were not in compliance with my instructions. At the beginning of class, I asked students to move to the center of the room and join in a class discussion about the day's reading assignment. Each of your classmates participated; however, you chose to sit at your computer and were looking at a site that was unrelated to our discussion. When I asked you to join the conversation, you did so briefly. But a few minutes later, you returned to your computer, and although I'm not sure whether you were still looking at that site, I did see the same images on your monitor.
As the syllabus clearly states (see section I), and as you and I discussed before you left, your actions will result in your being counted absent from today's class. My choice to allow you to remain despite your actions was my attempt at giving you the opportunity to be present for the day's activities (and so was not as punitive as what the syllabus describes).
When, at the conclusion of class, I approached you about your behavior, you responded that if I counted you as absent, you would fail out of college (or something to that effect). While I am not sure of your attendance record for this class, I doubt you are in danger of failing due to attendance; however, the scores you've received on the assignments you've turned in as well as for the assignments you have not turned in are very likely putting you in danger of failing this class. I am very concerned about your progress in the course, and it sounds like you are as well.
I am confident you are more than capable of doing the work required for this course, and I want to support you in working towards that end. Because I do want to support you (and all of the students taking this course), I can not in good conscience allow students to remain in class when they choose to blatantly disregard instructions. Such actions are obviously a distraction to the student who is doing them, but they are also a distraction to other students and to me. And as the professor for this course, it is my responsibility to create and protect an environment that allows every class member (you, your classmates, and even me) to give our full attention to the work at hand for that day.
I take that responsibility very seriously for many reasons, not the least of which is this: The college classroom plays an important role in helping students have realistic expectations about the relationships they will want to have with future faculty members, classmates, and employers. I don't want to do anything in my class that will create the false belief that future faculty members--not to mention employers or anyone else with whom students hope to have good relationships--will ignore such behaviors. Instead, I want our class to be a place where everyone--each student as well as me--can practice the kinds of actions and communication that show honor and respect for every person.
So, as we discussed, this means that if there is another instance when you choose not to follow my instructions during class, I will ask you to leave class immediately, and you will be counted absent for that day as well. Should that occur, you will be required to meet with my department dean before attending another class. At that meeting, you will discuss your classroom behavior and whether it is consistent with what you hope to accomplish in the class. All of that information is on the slip of paper I handed you during our conversation. If I'm not mistaken, you wadded it up and threw it in the trash on your way out the door, so you may not have read it. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you need another copy.
Thank you for taking time to talk with me today. Although I know our conversation was uncomfortable for both of us, it is my hope that it will result in helping you accomplish your goals. And know that I am happy to talk with you at any time about your progress in the course.
Sincerely,
Professor Anne Pharr
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