<p>What are your thoughts about my music major freshman giving a holiday gift to the professor who teaches her? We've always given gifts to her private teachers here at home, but are unsure about the protocol at a university. May I add that she is wild about him, and that she is thinking about a gift card to a store. Thanks!</p>
<p>IMHO I think you might be on sketchy ethical grounds here. The studio teacher at the conservatory evaluates and give grades to his or her students each semester for as long as the student is in the studio. My guess is that teachers are not supposed to accept gifts from students as it might be seen as trying to influence the evaluation process. (I know it is not intended that way by your daughter, but it could appear like that to others.) I would suggest that she give him a nice card or bring him some home baked cookies when she returns from semester break if she really wants to give him something.</p>
<p>My kids have not given gifts to their private teachers in college. As Shennie points out...these folks are grading your child and it might not look all that proper for them to accept a gift. HOWEVER, when DS graduates in May (he BETTER graduate in May) we will give his private teacher a gift card to his favorite restaurant. You might want to ask your daughter if their studio has a holiday party. I know that one year, DS's studio teacher hosted a party at the end of the winter term, and the WHOLE studio chipped in and got him something...don't know what...as a thank you and contribution for the party.</p>
<p>Our son has always given a gift to each private teacher when he has moved on to the next teacher. He doesn't gift current teachers, I agree it might LOOK inappropriate even if given with the purest intent.</p>
<p>A recently left behind college prof called us at home to tell us of the wonderful note our son had written to him. Made my mother's heart sing to learn that the young man of very few words could and did compose a heartfelt letter to someone who meant so much to him.</p>
<p>I find that strange we have always given gift at Christmas and at year end to teachers. </p>
<p>Good to know I will save on something in college.</p>
<p>Reminds me of the time a friend received a bottle of chateau margaux from a student he had worked with on a very extended, career-shaping honors project. He asked the college president about the ethics of accepting it, and the president said, "if you don't think you should keep it, give it to me; I'll be happy to drink it." (The prof cellared it, and opened it to share with the student after commencement.)</p>
<p>In your D's situation, a gift is probalby not appropriate (the idea of a group gift was great), but I don't think small gifts raise huge ethical dilemmas either, particulary when the gift is more of a "thank you" for something a professor has done beyond the call of duty. It's not unusual, in my experiece, for students to bring a small gift when they return from a foreign study/internship experience that the prof. has been influential in arranging, or for students to give a a favorite prof a work of art that they've produced, etc. Context is everything.</p>
<p>Yea buying a professor a new car maybe an ethical problem. But a dinner at the local restaurant via gift certificate, I can't see that being an issue.</p>
<p>hey, i know this is quite an old thread, but i was looking for some old insight before asking my question... what is the protocol on getting a gift for a former teacher who you still periodically play for & still love very much and talk to/see frequently? he isn't my primary teacher anymore, but I absolutely love him and want to get him something good this Christmas... </p>
<p>i was thinking about getting him cufflinks seeing as he wears a tux nearly every night. the only ones i have come across that i like and i think he would like are over $100. i have a job and could buy them, but i don't know if he'd think that was out of line. i'm sure he knows how expensive cufflinks are. last year i got him a hat and he absolutely loved it. go figure.</p>
<p>It's a personal call. Instructors are often much more than purveyors of knowledge, and the relationship can often extend into deep and lasting personal friendships. At times, it's like family.</p>
<p>A gift, to anyone, displays your feelings, thanks, respect. </p>
<p>It's up to you.</p>
<p>DS has a nice ongoing relationship with his HS and undergrad teachers. He has lessons with them still...and always takes a little "gift" with him (since they won't take payment for the lessons anymore). For one teacher, it's fruit...he loves fruit. For the other, it's a gift card to Starbucks.</p>
<p>When my violin teacher had an very nasty car accident, a friend I shared the lessons with and I got him a card, a tin of chocolates and a 6 pack of Pepsi Max. We jokingly put in the card that we weren't old enough to get him anything alcoholic but since he was known for drinking Pepsi Max we got him that. He apparently laughed his head off when our school teacher went to give it to him.</p>
<p>I guess the point I am trying to make is that usually gifts which are well thought out to the person in mind will be more welcome by the recipient and sometimes (though not always) won't cost the earth. Other example is that when I got into University, I got loads of books as presents. I can't remember who gave me what but I can remember the person who got me a hand-carved wooden dog which I had wanted for ages.</p>
<p>Thanks, all, for the insights.</p>
<p>Hi Cosmos,
I got my husband a cute pair of cufflinks on Ebay that were made from watch parts...I got a great deal and they look wonderful! Just a thought:) Otherwise, I'd go ahead...i think giving gifts to teachers is great if they are thoughtful....it's just another way of saying "thank you."
SM</p>