Class Conduct and Behavior Rules

Dr. Jonathan M. Husch

Department of Geological, Environmental, and Marine Sciences (GEMS)

Rider University

Here are some simple rules that I expect you to follow during class. Failure to do so may result in your expulsion from the class and it will really piss me off (not what you want when you ask me to cut you a break on your final grade). Remember, it's all about respect: for yourselves, your classmates, and me.

1) Come to class prepared and on time. If you do arrive late, please enter the classroom through the back door (if one exists) and sit in the back of the room. Remember to tell me you're there at the end of class or I will mark you as absent for the day; this is totally your responsibility. Chronic lateness may result in your being locked out of the room.

2) If you wish to use a laptop computer to take notes, please speak to me first. If I discover you using your computer for any other purposes (i.e. web browsing, IMing, work from another class, etc.), you will not be allowed any further use of a computer during class.

3) No usage of cell phones, pagers, IPods, MP3 players, ear buds, or other any similar electronic device during class. If you absolutely require your cell phone or pager to be on (for an expected emergency call, you're an EMT, etc.), please keep it on vibrate and speak to me before class. No text messaging for any reason during class will be tolerated.

4) Do not read magazines, newspapers, books, etc, or do work for another course during my class. If I find you doing this, I will ask you (and not too politely) to leave.

5) Do not hold conversations with others or bother your classmates in other ways.

6) Do not just get up and leave in the middle of class. If you have a legitimate reason to leave early, speak to me before class. If you are feeling ill, let me know.

7) If you find it impossible to stay awake during class (try going to bed earlier!), please ask to be excused. If you do fall asleep, you run the risk of being awakened embarrassingly by me (or even left asleep by yourself after the class has ended).

8) Please, no lame excuses. I have two children your age and have heard them all before.

9) Relax, enjoy, ask lots of questions, and please be sure to laugh at all my bad jokes.

The assumption I will make is that by your continued presence in the course you have agreed to abide by these rules, as well as the accompanying Statement of Academic Responsibility.