Pearoast
A couple of years ago, I was working at a med school in the midlands. Most of the teaching staff were medics themselves, and this meant that they didn't really need much by way of office space; it was felt that a large, open plan affair was appropriate. I, being a humanities type, was more used to having my own office and being available to students pretty much all the time. Indeed, they even have my home phone number.

One day, a couple of students knocked on the office door, wanting to know if N, one of their lecturers, was in. She was - indeed, only she and I were.
"Sure," I said as I let them in. "She's down at the other end of the office."
A few minutes later, the students left, and N came thundering down the office.
"WHAT did you think you were doing?"
"Huh?"
"Letting students in!"
"They wanted to see you. They had a question. You run the course the query concerned. You were in. QED."
"Students are NOT allowed just to come and see staff at any time! They are NOT allowed in here! I could have been setting an exam!"
"My students can come to see me any time they want. And if I'm setting an exam, I'll turn off my monitor. 'S'no biggie."

N looked baffled. She honestly had no idea that her job might involve, like, trying to inspire students with a love of the subject.

Silly cow.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Thu 24 Jan 2008, 16:18, 4 replies)

I am currently
hiding in my office with my door closed avoiding students. Admittedly when they knock I do let them in. I'm also trying to write 2 exam papers. Timely post.

(From next week I'll be harder to find as I've just moved 122 miles away from my office...)
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Thu 24 Jan 2008, 16:22, closed)

I was always confused by the informalness of lecturers when I started uni.
I always felt like a goon writing a large email starting with "Dear Dr xxx" and getting one back that ended in "cheers, dave".

Then again you do get some types that let everyone know they're a doctor. It's usually for pretend subjects.
( Slippery Mick ‏, Thu 24 Jan 2008, 18:20, closed)

pretend subjects
Yup! But that's seven years of Higher Education to get that pretend subject PhD, so if you don't call me doctor I'll... I'll... do nothing, really...
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Thu 24 Jan 2008, 18:36, closed)

p.s.
I don't care if I'm called doctor or not, but I get VERY upset when someone calls me "Mrs". Grrrrr, that's YOU, insurance company! And YOU, BT. If I'd wanted to be a Mrs I would've gotten married. *shuffles off pretending someone would actually marry her*
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Thu 24 Jan 2008, 18:38, closed)