Is it now the norm for college students to call professors by their first names?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid at Oberlin calls many of his professors by their first name. It’s the community standard— not something he just started doing. Seems strange to me, but it’s part of the schools non-hierarchical/collaborative ethos.

And before the resident Oberlin hater chimes in, do you want to know one college without encampments, protest zones, a police presence, arrests, or significant issues between Muslim and Jewish students right now? Where students are discussing the issues and not causing chaos? If you guessed Oberlin, you’d be right.
Instead, the students are doing things like this:


https://www.ideastream.org/race-gender-identity/2024-04-22/as-the-israel-hamas-war-rages-can-oberlin-college-students-revive-a-kosher-halal-dining-co-op

Collaborative. Rational discussion. As I said, I don’t always “gret” it, but I’d rather my kid be at Oberlin right now than most other US colleges.

Probably because they consider it too phallic to erect a tent.

[Anonymous]

I graduated 35 years ago and I called all my professors by their first name at their request. So not surprised that it is more wide spread now.

I went to a SLAC in the Northeast FWIW

[Anonymous]

When I was a graduate TA, I let them use my first name but that set up too casual a relationship where they felt like my friend. Then, they didn’t respond well to rules. I also had to learn about boundaries.

I was so young and inexperienced!

When I was a professor, I preferred professor. I look young so felt I needed them to recognize the title and that may have helped them see me as a guide as opposed to a “friend” or even a substitute parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At my institution it varies by discipline, but we professors tend to be "Dr. Lastname" for those who have PhDs, "Prof. Lastname" for those who do not. TAs are "Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss/Mx. Lastname" or "Firstname" according to their own preference.

There's a wonderful little ritual upon the conferral of the PhD where the former student shakes hands with their advisor for the first time and the advisor says, "Congratulations, and please call me 'Firstname' now. Welcome to the profession," or something similar. It's a joyful moment for all concerned.

I think this is dumb.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my institution it varies by discipline, but we professors tend to be "Dr. Lastname" for those who have PhDs, "Prof. Lastname" for those who do not. TAs are "Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss/Mx. Lastname" or "Firstname" according to their own preference.

There's a wonderful little ritual upon the conferral of the PhD where the former student shakes hands with their advisor for the first time and the advisor says, "Congratulations, and please call me 'Firstname' now. Welcome to the profession," or something similar. It's a joyful moment for all concerned.

I think this is dumb.

DP. Welp, you probably have nooooo idea about what's involved in writing a dissertation/finishing a doctorate. It's a huge deal.

[Anonymous]

I went to GDS where students call teachers by their first name (even if they have a phd) and I think it was useful for recognizing that an authentically respectful relationship is more than performance of rituals. But I certainly never had an issue or difficulty calling people by other names and honorifics based on cultural norms or their request.

I just don’t think this is important or very useful for establishing hierarchy. I’m fine to do whatever people prefer and I’ll personally answer to anything if it’s coming from a respectful place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Really? I am 47 and called most of my profs by first name!

Grad students and Postdocs yes, professors no.

Grad students and postdocs were the best teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my institution it varies by discipline, but we professors tend to be "Dr. Lastname" for those who have PhDs, "Prof. Lastname" for those who do not. TAs are "Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss/Mx. Lastname" or "Firstname" according to their own preference.

There's a wonderful little ritual upon the conferral of the PhD where the former student shakes hands with their advisor for the first time and the advisor says, "Congratulations, and please call me 'Firstname' now. Welcome to the profession," or something similar. It's a joyful moment for all concerned.

I think this is dumb.

DP. Welp, you probably have nooooo idea about what's involved in writing a dissertation/finishing a doctorate. It's a huge deal.

PhD is great. Making it literally your identity is not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I was a graduate TA, I let them use my first name but that set up too casual a relationship where they felt like my friend. Then, they didn’t respond well to rules. I also had to learn about boundaries.

I was so young and inexperienced!

When I was a professor, I preferred professor. I look young so felt I needed them to recognize the title and that may have helped them see me as a guide as opposed to a “friend” or even a substitute parent.

What rules does a professor enforce?

Are you at a low end
school where the college students don't behave like adults in class?

[Anonymous]

I’m a college professor and my students (both undergaduate and graduate students) often call me “prof +first name”, or just first name. No big deal. I did the same when I was a student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid at Oberlin calls many of his professors by their first name. It’s the community standard— not something he just started doing. Seems strange to me, but it’s part of the schools non-hierarchical/collaborative ethos.

And before the resident Oberlin hater chimes in, do you want to know one college without encampments, protest zones, a police presence, arrests, or significant issues between Muslim and Jewish students right now? Where students are discussing the issues and not causing chaos? If you guessed Oberlin, you’d be right.
Instead, the students are doing things like this:



https://www.ideastream.org/race-gender-identity/2024-04-22/as-the-israel-hamas-war-rages-can-oberlin-college-students-revive-a-kosher-halal-dining-co-op

Collaborative. Rational discussion. As I said, I don’t always “gret” it, but I’d rather my kid be at Oberlin right now than most other US colleges.

Wow, a tiny school in a small city isn't having large protests? Shocking.

But also this:

https://www.adl.org/campus-antisemitism-report-card/oberlin-college

Professor preaching Hamas and a walkout.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my institution it varies by discipline, but we professors tend to be "Dr. Lastname" for those who have PhDs, "Prof. Lastname" for those who do not. TAs are "Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss/Mx. Lastname" or "Firstname" according to their own preference.

There's a wonderful little ritual upon the conferral of the PhD where the former student shakes hands with their advisor for the first time and the advisor says, "Congratulations, and please call me 'Firstname' now. Welcome to the profession," or something similar. It's a joyful moment for all concerned.

I think this is dumb.

DP. Welp, you probably have nooooo idea about what's involved in writing a dissertation/finishing a doctorate. It's a huge deal.

PhD is great. Making it literally your identity is not.

Do you use your professional title / position name anywhere in your workplace? Email signature? Website? Promo materials? Directory? Did you have to achieve appropriate education, qualify for your position, and earn your job? So do professors. Do you identify with your job? Not everyone does, but for many people their career is an important part of how they see themselves. Same with professors. Do you need to demonstrate leadership in your workplace and mentor those with less experience? So do professors. If you have a problem with them being addressed as "Dr. X" in their professional workplace environment, maybe you'd also prefer that clergy and law enforcement officers and judges drop their titles, too?

[Anonymous]

I work in a state flagship and titles are still used even by adult staff members when addressing faculty, deans, etc. My sister is a faculty member at a T20 and gets annoyed if a student does not use her title (she doesn’t care whether it’s Dr or Professor).

I am a lawyer, husband is an MD and we both find titles silly. We go along with it, but I do find it strange to address a faculty physician or professor as “Dr” in a non-official email rather than just using their first name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter told me that at her school everyone calls professors by their first names. This really surprises me. When I graduated back in the stone ages 30 years ago, we always addressed them by Dr. Is this how it is at most universities now?

It's normal west of the Rockies, but here in the east it's Dr.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At my institution it varies by discipline, but we professors tend to be "Dr. Lastname" for those who have PhDs, "Prof. Lastname" for those who do not. TAs are "Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss/Mx. Lastname" or "Firstname" according to their own preference.

There's a wonderful little ritual upon the conferral of the PhD where the former student shakes hands with their advisor for the first time and the advisor says, "Congratulations, and please call me 'Firstname' now. Welcome to the profession," or something similar. It's a joyful moment for all concerned.

I think this is dumb.

Because you lack a basic understanding of respect, discipline, and custom and courtesy. This is how most of the world works.