2008 Woodie Awards
Letters to the Editor
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Opinions
Professor weighs in on excess absenteeism of students, advocates 'biting the bullet'
Regarding your recent editorial on absences: Do understand that at MTSU there is a serious absenteeism problem, even a cult and culture of absenteeism. That is wrong; if nothing else, taxpayers are not subsidizing you to blow things off.
Let us be honest here: we know most "excuses" are bogus or lies. You know that, too. We also know that absenteeism and failure go hand-in-hand (50 percent attrition rate here at MTSU; about half of all freshmen lose their Hope Scholarship the first year).
Absenteeism does affect quality. What to do--stand by and watch the train wreck? Hardly. So we create absenteeism policies (do note that according to university regulations you are not allowed to be absent at all, and yes, you are responsible for all work regardless of excuse). These are designed to help keep students in class but also deal with some real world issues.
So first, do not misuse or abuse the "free" days you have in your absenteeism policy; save them for real reasons. And do not complain about whatever policy you face--it is a free gift to you from kindly professors. In five years of BA work I missed one class; in 10 years of MA and Ph.D. work I missed one class (and I was working full-time as well for all three degrees). I never missed a paper deadline, either. I have been teaching since 1981, and have missed no days for illness or injury. So, in most cases, just suck it up and get to class. Get a flu shot. Lay off the alcohol and drugs.
And the real world? I used to work for a living before there were sick days. If you were absent you lost 40 bucks. I worked in a factory where if you were absent thrice in a 30-day period you were fired. Oh yes, in all sorts of real world places absences are not tolerated or expected: sports, war, entertainment, business. I just heard of a flu-ridden manager called in on his day off as the bigwigs were there--so again just suck it up.
So, yes, do please be adults about this, and none of this carping. And for God's sake, do not have your mommy call me. I do not do parents.
Louie Haas, professor of history and director of graduate studies
Rec Center parking lot needs to be fixed; excessive potholes harmful to vehicles
MTSU needs to fix the gravel parking lot at the Rec Center. I have driven that parking lot two times a week to deliver the paper and it is getting worse and worse. You have to go less than five miles per hour so that all those dips will not mess up your car.
You would think with all the money we are spending to build these new buildings, MTSU would have enough money to fill up the holes in the parking lot. I hope that when the rec center is done with remodeling that the parking lot will get some help, too.
Zachary Barnes, sophomore education and behavioral science
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Anon
posted 2/15/08 @ 8:07 AM CST
There's a damn construction zone right night door and you want to complain about potholes? And, you shouldn't be driving over five miles per hour in a parking lot of a university anyways. (Continued…)
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