<p>@ucbalumnus: I like your rules. </p>
<p>The original article has good points as well. I want to add some discussion of office hour etiquette. These points are not meant to be a rant at all. I enjoy teaching and I almost always enjoy office hours. Nonetheless, here are a few things off the top of my head that may help students from becoming “that guy.” . </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Come prepared with questions. I had one student recently who could not get this. He came in, asked a couple of questions, and then started flipping through his notes. After a minute or so, I asked whether he had any more questions. He then asked, incredulously, “Aren’t these your office hours?” Well, yes they are. And there may be other students outside waiting to see me. Even if not, you could hang out on the sofa down the hall for 15 minutes and come up with more question while I go back to answering e-mails from your classmates. Try to use your time and mine efficiently. </p></li>
<li><p>Do not arrive early. People tend to schedule their time in blocks. For example, I will take the 30 minutes before office hours to answer e-mails, eat lunch, grab a coffee, or simply remind myself what questions I put on the latest problem set. Showing up 10 minutes early and saying, “I was in the area so I thought I would stop in,” verges on thoughtless. If you were hosting a dinner party, you would not want guests arriving early. The same is true with office hours. (At least with office hours, we can and will ask the student to wait outside for a few more minutes.) </p></li>
<li><p>Do not arrive with 5 minutes left in office hours and a handful of questions. If your schedule does not allow you to arrive earlier, send an e-mail explaining this and ask whether the faculty member could see you later. I will always extend my office hours for a student who extends me this courtesy. </p></li>
<li><p>Keep your opinions about faculty salaries or working conditions to yourself. I still remember an incident from almost 30 years ago when I was teaching at a Big Ten university located on an isthmus, where everyone wears red on Saturdays in the fall. I was in my office on a Sunday morning when I heard two students talking. One said to the other, “Go ahead, ask him. They get paid $30,000 a year.” Needless to say, I gently closed my door and that was that. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>This student did not intend for me to hear what he said, and I actually found the episode humorous, but the point remains that you want to keep these thoughts to yourself. If you think salaries are high or working conditions are cushy, get involved with the alumni association after you graduate. But while you are a student, displaying an attitude that faculty members should be at your beck and call is not going to help you. You make think that having two hours of office hours per week is insufficient. You may think that faculty members spend too much time on research. I may even agree with you. Just keep it to yourself. </p>
<p>If you think any of these are unreasonable positions, know that many other faculty members feel as I do. So, when a student goes to ask for a letter of recommendation, he or she will want to be known as the excellent student who is a thoughtful person, not “that guy.” Just follow the Golden Rule and you will be fine. </p>