Professionalism. It is a trait that is neither given nor received. It is something one must learn. How does one learn to be professional? Easy. They learn by watching and learning from individuals in positions of power, leadership and mentoring.
However, what happens when the person that is learning has no one to learn from? Or, even, if the 'professional' teaches but does not act on their own advice?
In the college realm, students learn from their professors. They learn the things that are needed for future careers, they learn basic skills that every student is expected to know, and they learn how to act. For many, outside their parents, teachers are the first outside influence of what it means to be professional.
Professionalism is a trait that needs a little refining here in the KU area. Over the last few years, students have had little to look up to for role models in the professional sense. From Athletics to Faculty, there are gaping holes. It may just be a few rotten souls, but they make the whole look bad.
What's the basic commandment for students? "Thou shalt not cheat. If cheating occurs, you shall pay." Cheating and plagiarism are cardinal sins in the university life and professors don't let students forget it. It's not so easy to tell a student not to do something, though, and to turn around and see a colleague censured for the exact same thing.
That is exactly what happened in the last month. Two KU professors were censured for plagiarism. What did they get? A slap on the wrist, a censure. Not only are they telling students that they are not doing what they preach, but also are not held to the same expectation as the student. A student would either receive an F, or be put on probation. Should a teacher not be held to a higher standard?
A friend recently spoke of an incident at Barton Community College, while not nearly as disturbing, reeks of unprofessionalism. The class, Western Civilization II, is a class that Barton CC holds for KU students looking for transfer credit. For extra credit, the teacher ( or TA, sometimes one cannot tell in the class) asked for the students to pick the winner of the KU v. KSU game. He added that while picking KSU wouldn't warrant more points, it would make him happier and would be a better post. If there were KSU or any other school's students in the class, okay. However, this is only KU students, or students wanting to go to KU. When is it okay to insult your student's school or its athletic department? A generic joke is fine; a singling out joke is not.
Professors must remember that they are role models for their students. They must teach them how to be students and working professionals. In doing so, they must also abide by the same rules they teach and expect consequences that may be more severe when they violate them. If this doesn't happen, why should a student try to be professional? They can say they didn't know any better; they wouldn't necessarily be lying.
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