Students!
I am a bioethicist, which means that I have been known to teach medical ethics to medical students.

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.

NOTE TO ANY FRESHERS READING THIS: You DO have a right to see your lecturers. Just knock on their door. If it's not convenient, they'll say. If they aren't pleased to talk about the subject they're supposed to be teaching, they shouldn't fucking well be doing it. And they might take you out for a drink, as well.
Thank you.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Mon 24 Sep 2007, 14:40, Reply)