Professors should challenge students
By Kevin Fuller
Last Updated:9:03 PM EST 4/8/08 Section: Viewpoint
There are two people in this world that I listen to when they say something. One of them is my mother. The other is a professor here at Fisher.
Professors are very influential to other students and myself. We don't like to admit it, but they make a huge difference in the decisions we make. With such influential voices, I haven't heard one professor engage students in a conversation explaining why it is important to vote.
Young people in general have a bad reputation when it comes to voting. Politicians don't even bother with us. Only about 30 percent of college students vote. Only half are even registered. The president that is elected in the fall will be making the decisions that will affect us when we enter, what some people call, "the real world."
Do college professors care if we vote? Except for some Political Science faculty, Fisher doesn't challenge students to have a voice nearly enough. Fisher does a stellar job when it comes to service. Why can't it challenge its students to become involved in politics with the same energy that won us the President's Honor Roll Award for Distinguished Community Service?
When a professor tells me to read a chapter, I read. When they tell me to write a paper, I write a paper. If they tell me I should attend an event, I attend an event for the most part. If I was a freshman and a professor made it mandatory for me to register and vote, I would vote.
I am not saying that the brunt of the responsibility should be on the professors to get us to vote. It is ultimately the students' responsibility to vote. Professors could certainly do a better job when it comes to challenging us to make the right decision.
Professors are very influential to other students and myself. We don't like to admit it, but they make a huge difference in the decisions we make. With such influential voices, I haven't heard one professor engage students in a conversation explaining why it is important to vote.
Young people in general have a bad reputation when it comes to voting. Politicians don't even bother with us. Only about 30 percent of college students vote. Only half are even registered. The president that is elected in the fall will be making the decisions that will affect us when we enter, what some people call, "the real world."
Do college professors care if we vote? Except for some Political Science faculty, Fisher doesn't challenge students to have a voice nearly enough. Fisher does a stellar job when it comes to service. Why can't it challenge its students to become involved in politics with the same energy that won us the President's Honor Roll Award for Distinguished Community Service?
When a professor tells me to read a chapter, I read. When they tell me to write a paper, I write a paper. If they tell me I should attend an event, I attend an event for the most part. If I was a freshman and a professor made it mandatory for me to register and vote, I would vote.
I am not saying that the brunt of the responsibility should be on the professors to get us to vote. It is ultimately the students' responsibility to vote. Professors could certainly do a better job when it comes to challenging us to make the right decision.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 6
The Realist
posted 4/23/08 @ 1:25 PM EST
"When a professor tells me to read a chapter, I read."
Hah! Then you are 30% of the students I teach.
Guess what, most professors get ripped apart on end-of-the-semester course evaluations if we even DARE to deviate from course content, Let alone give advice on how you, as a citizen, should live your life. (Continued…)
anonymousgirl
posted 4/25/08 @ 10:09 AM EST
I guess I should have placed my user name as Anonymous Woman. I am a fulltime staff member at SJFC and am a grown woman. I find it appalling that a professor would verbally degrade a student in such a manner. (Continued…)
samueljaxon
Dissertation Search
posted 2/10/10 @ 1:02 PM EST
Thanks for great viewpoint!
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