Why Did Penn State Ban Food and Drinks in Classrooms?

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Penn State has implemented a ban on food and drinks in all general-purpose classrooms, allowing only water bottles. This decision aims to reduce mess and cleaning costs, as custodians reportedly spend significant time cleaning these spaces. The ban has sparked debate among students and faculty, with many arguing that it is excessive and impractical, especially for those with back-to-back classes who may not have time to eat. Critics suggest that a better approach would be to encourage students to clean up after themselves rather than impose a blanket prohibition. Overall, the ban has raised concerns about its impact on student comfort and classroom dynamics.
  • #31
Moonbear said:
So, I'm still left wondering, are the students there really such slobs that they leave behind that much trash after every class? Eating in class isn't the problem, it is that trash isn't being disposed at the end of class. If they only clean once a day, do they even know if it's a cumulative problem with all the classes, or that some groups using the rooms for non-class functions are the ones leaving behind big messes?
Surely, the people who've spent the last few days deciding how to deal with the problem would have noticed if all the trash bins were overfilled before the end of the day or who was causing the mess!

Also, I don't know what the classrooms are like at PSU, but here, the trash cans are outside the classrooms/lecture halls, in the hallways. If you took food into class, you'd still have to carry out the trash to chuck it in a bin. If litter was accumulating in the classrooms, it would mean that you weren't bothering to pick up after yourself.
 
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  • #32
JasonRox said:
1)It's becoming easier and easier to push teachers/professors around now, and it's no wonder they're losing respect from the students.

2)Note: I have classes that span the lunch hour. Classes are usually like an hour long. I'm not going to die of hunger waiting an hour.
(numbering added)

1) I agree, it's an overcorrection from the times (not too long ago at all) where they slapped kids on the hand for using their left hand. But at the same time, I'm glad kids aren't getting slapped, spanked, or lectured about their personal life anymore. Teacher's are like police men, they have an authoritative position on one hand, but on the other they are servants, and if they don't like that aspect of providing a service (that they get paid for), they shouldn't be doing it. That being said, every teacher choses how much respect he will get from his students by their reputation, their first impressions, and their attitude throughout the year. If teacher's aren't respected, they aren't respectable teachers (or they've suffered a severe misunderstanding, which should be handled case by case).

2) Hunger is a distraction. Dying isn't the problem here, it's the symptoms that come from hunger. Unless a student is still riding their parent's gravy train, they're probably working while they're schooling and don't have the time to eat at their leisure. Eating in class is excellent time management for people in these positions.

I work while schooling. I also can't afford to eat out so I have to actually cook my food and do my dishes. I have to do laundry and go grocery shopping, and tons of other little random annoying "mom's not here anymore" tasks. I value being able to eat during classes.

And hunger is not a good learning aid.
 
  • #33
Pythagorean said:
(numbering added)

1) I agree, it's an overcorrection from the times (not too long ago at all) where they slapped kids on the hand for using their left hand. But at the same time, I'm glad kids aren't getting slapped, spanked, or lectured about their personal life anymore. Teacher's are like police men, they have an authoritative position on one hand, but on the other they are servants, and if they don't like that aspect of providing a service (that they get paid for), they shouldn't be doing it. That being said, every teacher choses how much respect he will get from his students by their reputation, their first impressions, and their attitude throughout the year. If teacher's aren't respected, they aren't respectable teachers (or they've suffered a severe misunderstanding, which should be handled case by case).

2) Hunger is a distraction. Dying isn't the problem here, it's the symptoms that come from hunger. Unless a student is still riding their parent's gravy train, they're probably working while they're schooling and don't have the time to eat at their leisure. Eating in class is excellent time management for people in these positions.

I work while schooling. I also can't afford to eat out so I have to actually cook my food and do my dishes. I have to do laundry and go grocery shopping, and tons of other little random annoying "mom's not here anymore" tasks. I value being able to eat during classes.

And hunger is not a good learning aid.

I work during school and I don't see the difference. I bring my lunch too.
 
  • #34
They should just have a coffee in the morning - no need for it during lectures.

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/8986/nofoodnodrinksignnew1bl8.gif
 
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  • #35
JUST have coffee in the morning?! I'll never understand morning people. :rolleyes:
 
  • #36
Gokul43201 said:
What would you do? Hire "classroom cops" to impose spot fines on violators?

No, I think they should foot the bill for clean-up, like they've always done. I'd be curious to see the numbers behind their "epidemic of garbage" hyperbole. The article only gives the cost for a single year.


Sometimes you got to deal with large bodies of people with restrictions against frequently abused freedoms. That's just the natural result of a finite budget.

They by no means have to restrict this particular freedom. Dealing with a finite budget is ultimately a question of priorities, and this move states very clearly what their priorities are.
 
  • #37
Moonbear said:
JUST have coffee in the morning?! I'll never understand morning people. :rolleyes:

I don't drink coffee. They say an apple is better than coffe anyway.

Luckily, our campus allows eating/drinking during class. We've never had a problem with it, except when we get a ridiculously high flux of freshmen. But most of the upperclassmen (like msyelf) will pick up after them.
 
  • #38
Wow, that really sucks! Penn State is one of the graduate schools I am looking at for Fall '07. Looks like I'll have to take no coffee in the mornings into consideration when I review the school!
 
  • #39
Maxwell said:
Wow, that really sucks! Penn State is one of the graduate schools I am looking at for Fall '07. Looks like I'll have to take no coffee in the mornings into consideration when I review the school!

I doubt this stands for Graduate Students. Maybe it does, but it normally seems like Graduate Students do whatever they want.