Today I sat through a lecture in a classroom where the clock was broken and stuck on 4:26 p.m. This worthless chronometer made me flash back to instances in my past six years at OSU when people’s time was not respected.
I am an antiquated person who believes if you tell a person you are going to be some place at some time, come hell or high water you better be there. I come from a German family where efficiency and promptness are core values. Perhaps that is why I get so frustrated when people at OSU are late or don’t show up at all.
If you ever choose to plan an extracurricular event with your fellow students (e.g., community service event, pick-up basketball, etc.) you had better get commitments from twice as many people than you want to attend because only half will show up.
If anything comes up like “my cat got sick” or “I forgot ‘Friends’ was on,” people forget their commitment faster than a Britney Spears’ wedding. Of course, this person’s absence won’t be explained until you physically see them two days later.
Faculty office hours are an important learning resource that should be available to students. It seems simple to set aside an hour a week and be there. My batting average on these visits, however, is more like 20 than the expected 100 percent.
Granted, the research work of professors is very time-consuming, but it is just courtesy to let students know you won’t be there. Unfortunately, like student activities, these circumstances are the rule and not the exception.
Students, faculty, and staff being more cognizant of people’s time would make our university a more pleasant place to be. But if this message is not heeded, at least the chimes of Orton will still ring on time.
Ron HeitzGraduate student in pharmacy
