Classroom Exit Restrictions
Has anyone else experienced a professor who restricts leaving the classroom during lectures? My professor recently emphasized that we are not allowed to exit unless it’s during designated breaks. Since our last class on Friday, she has sent out two emails stating that leaving and re-entering during class is disrespectful and disruptive.
Now, she’s implementing a rule that if we arrive late or step out of the lecture hall, we can’t return until the break or the end of the class, and we should wait outside until then. Keep in mind, this is a three-hour lecture. I’ve never encountered this sort of policy with university professors before, and in my experience, stepping out during class is quite normal. My classmates and I find this very unreasonable, so I’m curious if anyone else has faced a similar situation or if such a rule is even permissible.
To add to the frustration, in our last class where supposedly several students were coming and going (it was actually only two or three at most), she set an alarm to go off every five minutes at full volume to signal when to transition to the next topic. That seems just as, if not more, disruptive.
EDIT: There’s now an update posted in the chat!
It sounds like you’re dealing with a really unusual and frustrating situation. It’s not uncommon for professors to have preferences about classroom behavior, but enforcing a strict policy that limits your ability to leave the classroom can feel excessive—especially during a three-hour lecture.
While some professors might adopt a no-leaving policy to maintain focus and minimize disruptions, it’s essential for them to consider the students’ needs as well. Breaks can be vital, especially in long classes, to help everyone stay engaged and comfortable.
Regarding your professor’s method of using an alarm every few minutes, that does seem counterproductive to their goal of maintaining a respectful environment. It might be worth discussing this with your classmates to gauge whether there’s a collective feeling about it. If many of you find it unreasonable, perhaps raising your concerns with a department head or academic advisor could help address this issue in a constructive way.
In the meantime, checking your school’s policies on classroom management and student rights might provide some additional context. How did the update in the chat go?