MBA Pet Peeves Part 1

Despite all the positives about Business School, there ARE some aspects that irk me. Let's make this an "organic", or growing list, but here's the first bunch for starters:

1. PARTICIPATION
There are lots of classes in which "participation" comprises a significant chunk of the grade - 10%, 15%, 20%, 30% and even 35%. In order for participation to be counted, Teaching Assistants (TA's) sit through lecture, and monitor hand-raising and comments from the crowd. The process goes a little something like this:

[Little Johnny in the back raises his hand]
The professor says, "Yes, Johnny".
[TA reacts to professor's voice, and looks around the room for Little Johnny. TA looks through Excel printout or computer for Little Johnny and assigns Johnny either check-marks or points based on the comment made]

Below is an excerpt from one of my syllabi - the class shall remain nameless:

"You will be assigned the following points for in-class participation:
2 Points:
Truly insightful comment or question that impacts the class and potentially enhances the topic;
1 Point:
Good comment or question that complements what is being taught.
The class participation part of your grade will depend on the total number of points you receive
throughout the semester."

2. CODE OF CONDUCT RULES
Recently, the Sloan school updated its "rule book" from "Professional Standards" to "Values @ MIT Sloan". This document is analogous to ethical standards in any corporate environment. The Sloan document is actually a work of art and i'm happy to see the Sloan school focus on integrity, ethics, respect, and creating principled leaders. The document's excerpt on "Avoiding Distraction" has been reproduced below:

Please silence all wireless devices while classes and presentations are in session. To avoid distracting others, please refrain from using laptops or PDAs while classes and presentations are in session, unless this has been specifically permitted by the instructor or presenter. Side conversations should be kept to a minimum, as they can distract your colleagues and can be considered disrespectful of instructors and presenters..."

Just a tad bit militant, but not too bad. However, Sloan's standard operating policy is also that each professor OWNS his/her classroom and they are free to add to the requirements/limitations. Some exercise this liberty freely and welcome us into the classroom with:

"All cell phones and pagers should be turned off during class. You should not leave and re-enter the class. You should avoid engaging in side conversations after class has begun."

or

"Serious medical excuses and deaths in the immediate family are the only acceptable excuses for missing class and, even in these cases, prompt notification is expected."

It's beginning to feel like a military academy, right?


SUMMARY
I'm all about respecting rules, but, feel that the rules don't exactly support my role as a parent and don't provide the balance that my life requires at this moment. So, like clockwork, about 2pm each day, you'll catch me glancing at my cell phone/PDA looking for a text message from my daughter indicating that she's about to start her walk home or to her after-school activity. A few minutes later, you'll see me glance again, ensuring I get the "I'm here" text message. And, undoubtedly, I'm bound to execute several additional glances throughout the day to ensure the status quo (safe environment at school, no earthquakes back home, no major emotional breakdown w/ my mom) remains. If I receive a phone call from a number that's important, or looks like it could be important, I'm going to leave the class to take it.

LIFE HAPPENS and we should all be trusted to uphold high standards of conduct, while at the same time, maintaining balance and upholding our personal responsibilities -- to ourselves and to our families.