Volume 125 Issue 2
kansan.com
Monday, August 20, 2012
OLYMPIC DREAMS
HAWK WEEK
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012
PAGE 33
ACADEMICS
Social media rules to save your grade
ANNA ALLEN
aallen@kansan.com
Technology is advancing so quickly, the etiquette can hardly keep up.
Ending an email with "Love" can do the job when responding to your parents and "Peace" works great when signing off an email to your group project members, but when it comes to emailing your professors, things get a little bit tricky.
Some professors make it clear from day one that you should call them by their first name and even text them, while others outline specific instructions for how and when to contact them.
Has it come to a time when classic etiquette and common sense gets shoved aside, and we're given instructions on how to interact with others on every medium?
Stephanie Glassberg, a junior from Buffalo Grove, Ill. doesn't think so.
"I'm not sure that I've ever had a professor who has outlined specifically how I should be emailing them,
but if I did, I would feel that it would be extremely demeaning," Glassberg said. "I am a college student, and I am very aware of what is an appropriate way to end an email to a professor and what is not."
On the other hand, Julia Trechak, a junior from Wichita, thinks having a professor spell it out for you can ease some of the stress when correspond-
"I always fret about emailing my professors, because it's like they could judge me based on how I represent myself in regards to formality and for what reason I am emailing them," Trechak said.
appropriate. If they're not, I always use 'Doctor' or 'Professor', depending of course on how their name rings," she said.
Glassberg agrees, adding that when professors tell students to call them by their first names, it creates a more open, relaxed environment.
But when professors don't outline it, what then?
But if the professor or GTA doesn't mention what to call them, it usually
getting more involved on campus."
Trechak said it depends on whether or not the course is taught by a GTA or a professor.
"If they're GTAs, first names seem
STEPHANIE GLASSBERG junior
indicates that they prefer "professor" when being addressed.
While Arvin Agah, a professor in the electrical engineering and computer science department, doesn't outline a
correspondence style in his syllabus, he said common, proper communication standards apply.
He also said students should be "specific and efficient" in their emails.
"The students are expected to be
formal or semi-formal in their communications." Agah said.
"Too informal is not acceptable. If it does happen, I will speak to the student in person, suggesting a change in their approach."
While etiquette guru Emily Post has touched on the topic, Facebook friendling your professor has yet to be considered a definite do or don't.
Email is one thing, but what about Facebook?
In fact, it gets stickier when your professor creates a class Facebook group.
Glassberg, Trechak and Agah all agree on one aspect of the Facebook rule for the most part.
Glassberg said friending a professor during the semester may be a murky issue, but friendting them after can actually come in handy.
"I agree with the "friend them after the semester" approach that I think is standard by now," Trechak said. "At least for me, and I've noticed some professors actually enforce this at the beginning of the semester."
"I am friends with my poetry teacher, and it is helpful to be friends with her, because she gives suggestions on what poetry books are coming out," Glassberg said.
Agah said while he thinks the faculty and students should share in a friendly rapport, he doesn't think it's appropriate to friend your professor.
"I think that being friends with your professor is actually a gateway into getting more involved on and around campus."
Though etiquette can be "case specific," it's always a good rule of thumb to cross-reference your manners when it comes to different mediums, especially technology.
However, she said it should always be the student who initiates the friendship on Facebook.
Would you say this to them in person or on the phone? Would you talk to your grandmother that way?
As always, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Edited by Maegan Mathiasmeier
The initiative kicked off Thursday with about a hundred volunteers from six fraternities canvassing the Oread neighborhood with welcome bags. Volunteers, paired with city representatives, placed 2,000 bags on doorsteps with city ordinance information ranging from bike parking and house party protocol.
"A big part of going to school is learning how to live on your own," said Joe Monaco, a spokesperson for the event. "We are providing just some basic information about how
The Good Neighbor program, created in unison by the University and the city, aims to strengthen relations between students and residents by providing students with information about good citizenship.
challenge, especially between University of Kansas students and permanent Lawrence residents.
"This is the first in a set of many steps," said Tim Caboni, vice chancellor for public affairs at the University and a Good Neighbor co-creator. "We are extending an olive branch today, but it does not end here."
While no immediate events are planned for the future, Monaco said the University will continue the initiative throughout the year
"People really care more here." Hess said. "It makes me feel good. It just makes me feel safer and it feels nice to be joining that community."
Brad Hess, a freshman from Wichita and Delta Upsilon Fraternity program volunteer, said he was impressed by the University's initiative.
The Good Neighbor program is the first to fortify the University's connection with the city.
ponies as their hometowns, Monaco said.
Trying to be more neighborly? Follow the advice of the Good Neighbor program.
-Parties: Notify neighbors before throwing a party. They'll appreciate you cluing them in.
-Parking: Do not park in the yard or in front of fire hydrants or driveways. Doing so can result in a fine.
-Pets: Animals need to be kept on a leash within the city.
-Sidewalks: Sidewalks must be clear of ice or snow within 24 hours.
-Bicycles: Bikes cannot be locked to trees or other non-designated structures.
-Safety: Lock all windows and doors, including your car, and keep electronics and valuables out of view. Call Lawrence police if you see something suspicious.
CRYPTOQUIPS 5
OPINION 6
SPORTS 12
SUDOKU 5
NT/KANSAN Hawks Nestdon.
CLASSIFIEDS 10
CROSSWORD 5
Index
Sarah Glass, a KU journalism school graduate, performs under the name Miss Conception on Friday night for students at the Hawk week Block Party. Miss Conception is the leader of Vibe TIBC KC, a performance company from Kansas City.
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TARA BRYANT/KANSAN
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