Steve Patterson is a stickler about students referring to him with a proper title.
The Ohio University professor, who holds a doctorate in psychology, will not respond to e-mails that address him only as Mr. Patterson
instead of Dr. Patterson.
It may seem petty but I worked towards my degree Patterson said.
Professor Arthur Werger, on the other hand, asks all his College of Fine Arts students to call him Art.
The professors' opinions illustrate the way in which different professors expect different levels of formality, in both e-mail and verbal correspondence.
Personal interaction and one-on-one contact is critical for art classes, which are based on constant feedback from professors, Werger said. He has found that an informal title helps to break the ice with students.
However, in Patterson's opinion, using a professor's first name or even Mr. or Mrs. is not acceptable in class or in e-mail. He advises students to address instructors who hold a doctorate as such. When in doubt, students should err on the side of formality, Patterson said.
Students present a lack of professionalism and care when they address professors informally, he said.
Senior Katie Stafford said she has noticed that younger professors, teaching assistants and graduate students tend to encourage informal titles more than older professors.
Stafford said she appreciates the casualness because she is more receptive to the class when professors are informal.
But addressing professors by their first names is uncomfortable, and it takes time to adjust to informal titles, junior Chris Creamer said.
It's a little weird
he said, adding that the use of first names sometimes involves breaking a more formal habit.
Informality also is problem when students use it in written communication and e-mails.
English adjunct instructor Mathew Schario said many students send him e-mails littered with super-casual language, such as the use of 2 instead of to or u instead of you.
Kenneth Hicks, a physics professor, said he makes an effort to inform students when they make grammatical errors, especially in e-mail correspondences, to help prepare them for the workforce.
Students will be judged on how they look and how they speak. It is important that they get feedback from us instead of the world
Hicks said.
However, Hicks said he has seen similar errors from faculty colleagues and realizes students make mistakes.
Sophomore Eric Jurkovic said he takes time to prevent that situation.
I proofread e-mails several times before sending them to professors
he said. I want to make sure it is clear.
The Emily Post Institute, which serves as a civility barometer for today's society carrying on the work of its 20th-century namesake, makes several suggestions for proper e-mail etiquette.
While our e-mail culture is full of its shorthand
it's best to always reread your messages before sending them to make sure there are no grammatical or spelling errors in your message
according to the Emily Post Institute.
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