Subject: Attendance From: "William J. Rapaport" Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2010 08:33:47 -0400 (EDT) There are 144 students enrolled in CSE 501 this semester. I took a head count at yesterday's class; there were approximately 100 of you there. And then, as you know, several of you walked out after signing the attendance sheet. Would you like to know how many signatures were on the attendance sheet? 142. Do you think something is wrong? A student replies: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As a grad student taking CSE 501, it's a shame. I have to admit that I have seen a few students signing more than once on the attendance sheet. Probably they were signing on their friends' names. I don't understand why they do so. Even worse, many of them were leaving right after signing the sheet. I was surprised and very uncomfortable with them at first. But on the other hand, I try to think that who do not attend the class miss something anyway. Presentations on how to study, how to write, emacs, beamer, etc are all very helpful to me. Moreover, even if you could make all 144 students stay in class, those who are not interested in class would interrupt the class - as they did yesterday. Another student replies: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ I'd like to add that there is a lot of talking going on during the presentations, especially in the back. It makes it hard to concentrate and listen to presentations. I wonder if there is anything that can be done to stop the disrupting students. Response: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It also makes it hard for the speaker to give the presentation! I would suggest that those of you who are interested in the presentations should come sit in front, which is a suggestion that the next comment agrees with: A student comments: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It is a shame. I cannot fathom how students can leave in between the class just like that when the class is in motion. Even when you take out the disrespect part out of it. There is something called courtesy. They do not realize they are also interrupting the class. Why not avoid it totally if you do not want to come? Some even just sign and leave. I am most disturbed yesterday by this as well as the commotion. I kept staring at students chatting and laughing constantly to indicate my displeasure. But after a brief pause it started again. Then I realized it was a futile exercise. One thing that can most definitely be done. Please get people to sit in the front. Especially the ones who sit in the pockets in the upper left and upper right corners as you see the class from below from where you stand. The pockets contains the highest density of mischief-makers. I am pretty sure this will have an effect in restoring some order.