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DO IT or get out
Another jewel from a couple of years ago. As I've said before, our computer lab has a policy where you fill out two forms, very small. The first form is a regular class registration form (the computer lab being considered a non-credit "lab class") and the other affirming that you have read and agreed to the rules as provided in the PowerPoint presentation available on every computer.
So, it was a beautiful day. Our lab is great because the doors are glass and you can see right out and enjoy the weather despite being inside.
It's the middle of the semester, and almost everyone who was going to use the lab was already signed up for it. A new lady comes in. I should have known there would be a problem, because she was a decent looker.
I swipe her ID, and the computer tells me she isn't signed up. I tell her this, and she's understandably a little gruffed and confused. It's good to note here that, most students are a bit inconvenienced about this bureaucratic system. I understand. I didn't design the system. If I had, you'd leave a deposit. A big one. And if you screwed up, we'd keep it and distribute it among us.
But I don't make the rules. You have to sign up. Here's about how it went, to the best of my memory:
Me: Yours truly
SS: Stupid student
Me: (Handing her the forms) You need to fill these out to use the computer lab.
SS: What? No, I only need the computer for a minute. (yeah, right. A minute to type up that 5 page essay you've been putting off)
Me: Sorry, you have to fill these out to use the computers.
SS: Fine. (Begins to fill them out)
Me: Oh, sorry. You need to go to a computer and view the presentation of our lab rules before you fill those out.
SS:
Look, I don't have time for this! I just need the computer for a second! (Uh-huh, sure. Due tomorrow, mm?)
For the record, if they're in a real bind, I'll usually have them fill out the forms and tell them to view the presentation later, and to not do anything else with the computers until then. But her tone robbed me of any sympathy.
Me: (repeating the lab policy) You need to view the presentation to use the lab.
SS: GRRR
FINE! (Leaves the lab)
Me: (As she storms through the door) Have a nice day, ma'am!!
Yeah, that's right, I did that. That's why I LOVE that job. I've got enough seniority that I can get away with it, and the students don't actually pay for the lab, so they're not really paying for any level of politeness and civility
Edit: Actually, now that I think of it, my problem there was not that I wasn't civil, it's that I was unnecessarily polite. You know how SC's hate it when you wish them a good day while they're pissed, right?
So, it was a beautiful day. Our lab is great because the doors are glass and you can see right out and enjoy the weather despite being inside.
It's the middle of the semester, and almost everyone who was going to use the lab was already signed up for it. A new lady comes in. I should have known there would be a problem, because she was a decent looker.
I swipe her ID, and the computer tells me she isn't signed up. I tell her this, and she's understandably a little gruffed and confused. It's good to note here that, most students are a bit inconvenienced about this bureaucratic system. I understand. I didn't design the system. If I had, you'd leave a deposit. A big one. And if you screwed up, we'd keep it and distribute it among us.
But I don't make the rules. You have to sign up. Here's about how it went, to the best of my memory:
Me: Yours truly
SS: Stupid student
Me: (Handing her the forms) You need to fill these out to use the computer lab.
SS: What? No, I only need the computer for a minute. (yeah, right. A minute to type up that 5 page essay you've been putting off)
Me: Sorry, you have to fill these out to use the computers.
SS: Fine. (Begins to fill them out)
Me: Oh, sorry. You need to go to a computer and view the presentation of our lab rules before you fill those out.
SS:
Look, I don't have time for this! I just need the computer for a second! (Uh-huh, sure. Due tomorrow, mm?)For the record, if they're in a real bind, I'll usually have them fill out the forms and tell them to view the presentation later, and to not do anything else with the computers until then. But her tone robbed me of any sympathy.
Me: (repeating the lab policy) You need to view the presentation to use the lab.
SS: GRRR
FINE! (Leaves the lab)Me: (As she storms through the door) Have a nice day, ma'am!!
Yeah, that's right, I did that. That's why I LOVE that job. I've got enough seniority that I can get away with it, and the students don't actually pay for the lab, so they're not really paying for any level of politeness and civility
Edit: Actually, now that I think of it, my problem there was not that I wasn't civil, it's that I was unnecessarily polite. You know how SC's hate it when you wish them a good day while they're pissed, right?
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