Every syllabus I have ever read has a section describing the consequences for students who are absent or tardy, but I have yet to hear a clear rule when it comes to the punctuality of university professors.

Obviously they have a cleaner record than most of their students when it comes to showing up on time (or at all).

Legend has it, if they’re a professor you wait 15 minutes and if they don’t show you can leave. If they’re a doctor, 20 minutes.

It’s actually neither.

Professors can show up with three minutes left in class and count one absent if they so choose. I’m not saying any professors would do that, but they have the power to. They’re the ones with the doctorate, they run the show.

Teachers have bailed on me too many times in the past year. I’m not the only one this has happened to, and I know I’m not the only one who’s getting tired of it.

Some classes only allow three sick days before losing a letter grade.Even then students have to jump through hoops to get the absence excused. Students need a doctor’s note, they have to let the professor know beforehand and they have to get notes from a classmate.

It’s a hassle. But because the professor has absolute power, they can blow us off without issue.

I don’t want to camp outside of a classroom all day waiting for a teacher who isn’t coming. An email only takes a few seconds to send but goes a long way. It lets me know that I can pack up my tent and head over to Starbucks for some coffee and mindless internet usage, or if it’s the last class of the day, head home for a well-deserved nap.

Consider that professors are people too. They have things in their lives going on that students don’t know about. They are allowed to have problems. Sometimes they just need a little slack.

If showing up late becomes a weekly occurrence then we have a problem.