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As a student you must realize that the faculty at a college is its greatest asset and your greatest resource. Developing a respectful, productive and meaningful relationship with your professors does much to enhance your academic success and can provide experiences you'll remember for a lifetime. Developing a positive relationship requires that you understand your professors: Who they are, what they value and the expectations they hold for you as a college student. It also means taking the time to re-evaluate your possibly erroneous assumptions or beliefs about professors so that a more productive relationship has a chance to flourish. PROFESSORS: WHAT THEY VALUE -- WHAT THEY DO The reality of going to college is that you will encounter a variety of professors with diverse personalities and teaching styles, therefore, it is difficult to generalize about them. However, it is important to understand that common among professors is the high value they place on learning. For college professors, becoming educated means more than earning a degree to get a job. While this is a very practical and understandable motivation for you, your professors hope you will come to appreciate and view learning as an ongoing process that greatly affects your life. The high value that college professors place on learning is evidenced by the fact that they have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of knowledge. Most have earned several advanced degrees in graduate school, culminating in a Doctoral Degree in a specific discipline or field of study [i.e., Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), or Doctor of Social Work (D.S.)]. To accomplish this task many years of hard work and perseverance were required. As a result college professors understand first hand the value of personal responsibility and self-reliance, which were required for their academic success. The importance of motivation and autonomy is now communicated to you from the moment you enter college and are treated as an adult. For example, on the first day of class college professors usually provide you with a syllabus and assume you will be responsible for all assignments without continued reminders. In addition to placing a high value on learning, college professors value "teaching". Although some may be better at teaching than others, most college professors genuinely love to teach and are excited by their subjects. They also understand the special challenge of teaching in an urban public college, such as John Jay, and hold a high respect for their students. When asked to describe what they believe most rewarding about teaching, several John Jay College professors expressed the following: 
Beyond teaching, college professors have many other responsibilities. In fact, time in the classroom represents a relatively small percentage of their work week. A good portions of time is spent reading books and articles to keep current with their field of specialty, preparing for class, grading papers, etc. Professors may spend time conducting experiments, reviewing manuscripts or writing journals articles or books. They often attend conferences where they report their research. Many are requested to give professional talks around the country. The remainder of their time is spent serving on college committees, performing administrative duties, or becoming involved in university or student sponsored projects. Most Professors have office hours in which they are available to advise students. The job of a college professor involves a tremendous amount of hard work, but most professors agree there are many rewards. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE TEACHERS College professors differ from High School teachers and often these differences create anxiety to your adjustment. Let's look at some of these differences: 1. College professors are less likely to "coddle" or "work to motivate" as perhaps you high school teachers have. College professors believe the motivation for academic success must come from within you. Many students mistakenly interpret this teaching style as uncaring. 2. High school teachers and college professors differ with respect to the material they cover in class. Often high school teachers spend time covering material you read the night before. College professors may see less value in covering information in class that you are responsible for reading on your own. Lectures are more likely to be about relevant information not found in the text. This may include knowledge they have accumulated through their own research. College professors believe this teaching style best promotes critical thinking skills as students learn to make connections between reading and classroom discussion. 3. High school teachers test more frequently and are more likely to specifically test students on material covered in class. In college you can expect professors to test you on materials not specifically covered in class. 4. College professors are more likely to provide for unusual and challenging classroom discussion. It is not uncommon for professors to use this teaching opportunity to openly discuss issues, topics, or research that provoke or challenge firmly held beliefs. College professors are certainly not uncomfortable sharing their opinions or discussing sensitive material. They, unlike high school teachers, enjoy a certain sense of freedom and independence in the classroom. You may find that some discussions will be anxiety provoking for you. 5. Most high school teachers have fewer educational qualifications than college professors. As mentioned earlier, most college professors have earned a doctoral degree. ACADEMIC FREEDOM Academic freedom is a long established tradition professors highly value. Essentially, academic freedom guarantees professors the right to fully express critical, diverse and often controversial views and opinions without fears of losing their jobs. Academic freedom provides professors more personal and intellectual latitude than your high school teachers with respect to what they are able to discuss in class as well as how they grade their students. Although it may sometimes seem arbitrary and unfair that professors can conduct their classes with so much latitude, it actually is a good thing for both the professors and students. When professors and students are free to discuss their ideas and viewpoints, they are at their best. PROFESSORIAL RANK Differences in rank exist among college professors which reflect status, prestige, income and perhaps privilege. The highest and most prestigious rank is "Professor", followed by "Associate Professor", and "Assistant Professor". Some teachers have yet to obtain professional rank and can be hired as instructors or lecturers. Many instructors/lectures are in graduate school working on a specific research/writing project (dissertation). Once completed they will have earned their doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., etc.) with the anticipation of being promoted to assistant professor. There are also many people who teach at the college part-time. Part-timers are called Adjunct faculty. Adjunct faculty can be employed at all rank levels. Although technically not all professors are "professors". In addition to rank you are likely to hear the term "tenure." Tenure is the award of "life-time employment" given to professors who have proven themselves as outstanding educators. Tenure decisions are based on teaching evaluations, research, publication, and college service. Student evaluations of their professors are considered in tenure decisions. WHAT PROFESSORS EXPECT FROM STUDENTS Your college instructors have different and higher expectations of you than your high school teachers may have. They believe, for example, that since it is "your decision" to attend college, it is not the professor's primary function to motivate you. They expect you to enter their classes purposefully, with a positive attitude and a sincere desire to learn. A positive attitude towards learning must be expressed by your attitude and behavior in and out of the class. The best way to examine what is expected of you is to share with you a summary of the most frequently reported responses by college professors who were asked the following two important questions: QUESTION: What students are most likely to be successful in class and in college? PROFESSORS' RESPONSES 1. Students who are mature and serious about college. These students are curious, inquisitive and demonstrate a sincere desire to learn. 2. Students who assume responsibility for all work assigned. These students are prepared for exams and class. They arrive on time, attend regularly, and stay the entire period. 3. Students who are active learners. These students freely and regularly participate in class discussions. They listen intently, ask relevant questions, and participate in class dialogue. 4. Students who respect and value learning, each other and the professor. These students are open and accepting of differences of opinions, ideas and thoughts. They are respectful and would not think to disrupt or talk when someone else is speaking or to act inappropriately. QUESTION: What students do you experience as the most difficult to work with? PROFESSORS' RESPONSES 1. Students who are unmotivated. These students appear passive, indifferent (apathetic, uninterested) to learning. 2. Students who are disrespectful in class. These students talk while others talk, arrive late, leave early, eat in class, and/or call out. 3. Students who are unprepared for class. These students rarely do the assignments or readings. Many, when they do, simply do the minimum to get by. Often these students fail to bring notebooks or text books to class. 4. Students who are closed minded and intolerant of difference. These students are not open to exploring new ideas, opinions, or the values of others. 5. Students with attitudes problems. These students place the sole responsibility for learning on the instructor and tend to blame others for their academic failures. CHOOSING YOUR COLLEGE PROFESSOR In your first semester of college, your classes and professors are basically selected for you. However, in the future you will have the option of choosing your professors. Before you select your courses, it is a good idea to learn about a professor. What makes a good instructor for you may not be the same for the recommender. If a fellow student recommends someone to you, be sure to ask for more specific information about what made the professor so good. To find the best professor for you start by deciding what qualities you are looking for. In a recent survey of John Jay students, the following four qualities in a teacher were ranked as the most important:
RESOLVING STUDENT/PROFESSOR CONFLICTS There may be times when you disagree with your professor. If the disagreement concerns a grade you received which you consider unfair, you should start by making an appointment with the professor to discuss your feelings, to understand why you were given this grade and to provide evidence to support your position. If, after this discussion, you still feel that you've been treated unfairly, you can discuss this situation with the Chair person of the academic department. If the situation still remains unresolved, you have the right to appeal your grade to the Academic Review Committee on Campus. To initiate this procedure you must file the appropriate forms obtained in the office of the Registrar (room 4113N). This office will forward your information/material and notify the professor of your action. The Academic Review Committee submits its decisions and reasons for its judgement in writing to the Registrar's Office. The decision of the Committee is final. There may be an occasion when you take issue with something a professor has said or done which you believe is inappropriate, unfair or upsetting to you. Again, start by discussing this situation with the professor. If the issue remains unresolved, make an appointment to meet with a counselor (room 3140N). The counselor will objectively help you explore your feelings and advise you of your options and rights. CLARIFYING UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS ABOUT PROFESSORS Many new freshmen start college with unrealistic expectations of how professors will be, often resulting in feelings of disappointment, frustration, and anger. You can avoid setting yourself up for disappointment by taking a more candid and realistic view of college professors. Below some common perceptions are explored: 1. Not all college professors will take a special and personal interest in you. Some college professors will take a personal interest in all of their students, while others may be too busy or feel it is not important for the teacher to get to know students on a personal basis. They may, however, be excellent teachers who motivate and inspire you intellectually in the classroom. 2. Not all professors will teach interesting, stimulating lectures. Professors vary in their ability to teach and in their approach to teaching. Some professors are more subject oriented than student oriented. These professors are likely to present information in a straight-forward lecture format, which may be boring to you or may require more intensive concentration. 3. Not all professors have all the answers. Don't expect your professors to be able to answer all your questions about the subject. Most will readily admit not knowing something. They see education as an on-going process. Professors enjoy learning from students too! 4. Not all professors are open to student opinions, particularly those that challenge the professor's own viewpoint. While the overwhelming majority of professors encourage students to express their opinions and expect students to challenge the basic assumptions of what they are learning, some discourage the use of limited class time for the discussion of issues they feel are inappropriate or not worthy of attention. 5. Not all professors will be pleasant people. Although rare, you may experience a professor who seems angry, irritable, or unpleasant. Most enjoy teaching and talking with students. Remember, you don't have to like a professor to learn from him/her. SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING STUDENT/PROFESSOR RELATIONSHIPS 1. Make an effort to have the professor know and recognize you. 2. Ask questions; but not to the point of annoyance. Show interest in the subject. The professor will appreciate your interest. 3. Come to class regularly and on time! Take notes. This will indicate your heightened interest in the class. 4. Never talk or whisper while your professor is lecturing or when another student is speaking. This is distracting, rude and uncaring. 5. Don't try to "get over" on you professors. They have been around a while and can usually spot phony or inappropriate excuses for your shortcomings. You are more likely to gain their respect by being "straight" with them. 6. Visit your professor during his/her office hours. Perhaps ask your professor to join you and some friends for lunch. There is no guarantee he/she will be interested; however, it is still a nice gesture. 7. Tell your professors that you appreciate good teaching. Don't be reluctant to compliment them when appropriate. 8. Don't hesitate to talk to your professor if you are confused about something of have a complaint. It does little good to complain to fellow students. Downgrading professors to your fellow students doesn't help your professor teach better or your classmates to learn more. Work with your professor to improve the climate in which better teaching is able to take place. 9. Don't expect your professors to become your personal counselors. Many of your professors will take a personal interest in you, but are not in a position to be all things to all students. The College has a Counseling Department with trained professionals who can assist you in these matters. Final Thoughts Keep in mind that your professors are also human beings who were once freshmen like you. They have personal and professional problems and are capable of having "good" days and "bad" days. However, when all is said and done, we expect you'll find that professors at John Jay truly enjoy their work. Developing a positive relationship with your professors will make your academic experience more personally meaningful and memorable. |
