Disrespectful behavior on campus unacceptable

April 2, 2007 —

I am tired of people and their increasing levels of disrespect. I've noticed, increasingly so, the number of people that come in late to classes, leave in the middle of classes (sometimes in the middle of lecture or discussion), talk in class, have their cell phone on in class, etc. Why? Furthermore, why does it so often seem to be the same people? I understand it may happen to you once in a while, but what are the excuses of the individuals who practice these habits incessantly? Whatever they are, I am certain they can't be valid.

If you're late all the time, maybe you should leave wherever you are coming from earlier, or is that too difficult of a thought process? I really can't think of any valid reasons for leaving in the middle of class. You have to pee? What were you doing before class? As to talking in class, if you only come to class to converse with friends, maybe you should be rethinking being at college. The people that don't turn off cell phones are always aggravating because of the level of disruption. A few weeks ago, this happened to me in the middle of an exam. An exam. Worse yet are those that have this happen often. I'm sure it absolutely pertinent that Jane tells you about her new hair cut, or whatever it is.

If you're thinking "this guy must be one anal-retentive student" or anything of the sort, I think you need to be rethinking college along with our conversational friends. I'm not the most studious student on campus. I've been late a couple of times to classes, and I always feel like an idiot. Have I ever been disruptive in a class? Probably. I don't make a habit of it, however. I don't get all 'As', I am not there every day nor do I absolutely love school. But I am paying a lot to be here and view college as a learning experience. If you don't, well, I don't think I even need address those types of people.

Another type of disrespect that really annoys me is when people laugh at others. Worse yet, I remember an instance early in my college career when assholes decided it would be funny to bump into a blind student on campus to disorient them. They laughed after doing so. I wish I were who I was now because I wouldn't have just quietly helped their victim, but that moment still weighs heavy on my mind when I see those instances of a group pointing and laughing at someone for whatever reason. I know it's an innate human tendency to be quick to judge, to laugh or be repulsed by the unfamiliar, but aren't we, as adults, supposed to be overcoming some of those innate tendencies that are unbecoming? That question is as absurd as me assuming that most people in college are adults. I retract it.

The worst thing is how often people misconstrue criticism and honesty as disrespect. While I hate people who can't respect others, I hate people more who make the assumption that honesty is somehow bad in situations. What makes this issue more of a conundrum is that most people say they want people to be honest.

In fact, I am positive that honesty would be in the top three characteristics of what most people look for in someone they are willing to date. Yet, most people are so unable to take honesty and hear criticism without being offended or feeling disrespected. Our culture is so hung up on the idea of being politically correct that we, all too often, skirt around the truth, and when we get honesty, we often don't know how to handle it.

Am I being a bit preachy? Yes. Am I guilty of being disrespectful or misconstruing honesty? Yes. But I am aware of and admit to my hypocrisy. Furthermore, I may be tired of people, but I still do my best to be respectful of them.