Campus Reacts to New Cellphone Policy
Zero-Tollerance Policy on Cellphone Use in Class, Says Fr. Augustine
By Michael Boutselis
In a late March e-mail that surprised many students and faculty, Dean of the College Fr. Augustine Kelly, O.S.B., announced the establishment of a new policy banning the use of cell phones and other electronic devices in the classroom.
The policy strictly states that the use of cell phones and electronic devices are prohibited in the classroom, and are to be turned off at all times. The policy does also state, however, that cell phones may be left on vibrate mode and students may only respond if multiple cell phones go off simultaneously, signaling the activation of the college's emergency communication system.
This new policy came as a surprise to many members of the community, who believe the cell phone use has not been a problem in their classrooms, and led to mixed feelings on the effectiveness of the policy.
English department chair and professor Ann Norton, Ph.D., said that prior to the establishment of the college's new policy, she did not find cell phones to be a distraction in her classroom, but that the case is different in Humanities lectures.
"No; I did not notice them, though that doesn't mean people weren't using them," she told the Crier. "I do see them at Humanities lectures, which I find annoying and rude. Students should certainly stop texting and playing with cell phones during lecture. This is self evident."
While Norton has not found phones to be a problem in her own classes, she says that many of her colleagues see their students being easily distracted by cell phone use. She is unsure if the new policy will deter students from using their phones in the classroom; however, she is glad to see that teachers will "now have an administrative policy that defends against their use in the classroom."
Echoing the words of Norton, Prof. Jane Dwyer of the education department says that prior to the establishment of the policy, "most students come into a classroom respectfully, and immediately shut their phones off or put them on vibrate.
The policy strictly states that the use of cell phones and electronic devices are prohibited in the classroom, and are to be turned off at all times. The policy does also state, however, that cell phones may be left on vibrate mode and students may only respond if multiple cell phones go off simultaneously, signaling the activation of the college's emergency communication system.
This new policy came as a surprise to many members of the community, who believe the cell phone use has not been a problem in their classrooms, and led to mixed feelings on the effectiveness of the policy.
English department chair and professor Ann Norton, Ph.D., said that prior to the establishment of the college's new policy, she did not find cell phones to be a distraction in her classroom, but that the case is different in Humanities lectures.
"No; I did not notice them, though that doesn't mean people weren't using them," she told the Crier. "I do see them at Humanities lectures, which I find annoying and rude. Students should certainly stop texting and playing with cell phones during lecture. This is self evident."
While Norton has not found phones to be a problem in her own classes, she says that many of her colleagues see their students being easily distracted by cell phone use. She is unsure if the new policy will deter students from using their phones in the classroom; however, she is glad to see that teachers will "now have an administrative policy that defends against their use in the classroom."
Echoing the words of Norton, Prof. Jane Dwyer of the education department says that prior to the establishment of the policy, "most students come into a classroom respectfully, and immediately shut their phones off or put them on vibrate.
This article was published on 4/17/09 in the News section.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Movers Manchester NH
posted 11/12/09 @ 2:04 PM EST
I totally agree with this rule. It's so rude when people are texting and playing games on their phones during lectures. You're in school to learn, so listen and learn. (Continued…)
resume writer
posted 12/08/09 @ 11:31 AM EST
It was a surprise to many members of the community, who believe the cell phone use has not been a problem in their classrooms.
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