By: Lamesha Green (Whetstone Staff Writer)

Students waiting

Students are not the only ones late to class.

Many professors are, too, and some more than others, students say.

An old and unwritten rule says that a professor may be 10 minutes late to class, while a professor with a doctorate may be 15 minutes late.

“Nowhere is it written, but this rule has been around since I was in college,” said Dr. Mika Shipley, an English professor.

But it’s a myth and there are no rules about it – except what the teacher specifies.

According to the student handbook, students are responsible for adhering to the attendance requirements outlined in the approved syllabus for each course.

“The late policy for students in my class counts as an absence,” Shipley said. “If I was 15 minutes late to class and some of the students left, it would be considered an excused absence.”

As they’ve done for decades, students have spread the old myth.

“I heard about this ‘professors being late to class’ rule from other freshmen here on campus,” said freshman Kemar Williams.

Williams said his college writing professor constantly shows up late to class.

“I haven’t gotten a chance to actually leave yet because my college writing teacher always shows up before her time is up.”

Some think the myth a reality.

“I would love to follow this administration’s late-rule policy,” said senior Rebeka Romos, referring to the myth. “Although when I am about to get up and leave class right before my instructor’s time is up, they walk in.”

English professor Dr. Jeffrey Gibson suggests students follow the rule according to their professors.

“Students should clarify with each of their professors what exactly the attendance policy for their classes are,” he said.

Gibson also said if he was late to class the students who chose not to wait wouldn’t be considered absent depending on the time he walked into class and advises students to wait.

Some students say professors who come late to class are acting unprofessionally.

“As far as professors coming late to class, I think it’s very unprofessional and as a student I feel disrespected,” said junior Marqueita Alladin. “If I were late to class, I get a grade deduction or I’m counted as absent, but professors can strut in like everything is all right.”

Other students say they’ve never experienced late professors.

“I am familiar with the ‘professors being late to classes’ myth other students often talk about,” said sophomore Amanda Jester. “I really don’t believe in it. Since I never had the experience of a professor coming to the class later than five minutes, I never was persuaded to leave class.”