Dear incoming new student, welcome to San Jose City College.  As a returning student and having been on the campus for three semesters allow me to give you a few do’s and don’ts to make your stay a SJCC a successful one.

The “F” word. I know you are an incoming freshman when I hear a liberal use of the “F” word in your small group conversations. You may think that you are in a private conversation and have “Freedom of Speech”; if you can be overheard by other students then you are in the public square and subject to the public norms of propriety.

If you want to use the “F” word at your Thanksgiving dinner with your Grandparents, family and little sister setting around the table go head; when you are in the public square kindly have respect and sensitivity toward your fellow students.  According to your student handbook, professors have a right to ask you to leave class for using disruptive profanity.

We are a nonsmoking campus with non-smoking signs posted throughout the grounds. Many of your fellow students are severely annoyed by second hand cigarette smoke and would rather not contract cancer because of your insensitivity to us and your desire to “be cool and belong to the crowd”. So don’t smoke on campus. You may smoke in the parking lots away from the campus foot traffic flow.

Texting is not allowed in class. This practice disrupts the attention of us students who are serious about our course work. Texting in class is extremely disrespectful to your fellow students and the instructor who has invested a great deal of time preparing materials for class delivery. Many of our professors will mark you down for this ultimate expression of disrespect.

Another sign of disrespect to your fellow students and instructor is being habitually late and disrupting the entire class upon your late entry. This annoyance may result in a grade reduction.

If you are going to be late for class; don’t come to class.

Loud music or conversation on your cell phone which can be overheard by others is annoying and disrespectful. Your fellow students are not interested in your personal drama; we have our own life issues to deal with and do not need to carry your drama foolishness on our shoulders.

The rules for a successful experience at SJCC are simple and a matter of common sense.

“Treat others as you would like to be treated.” The golden rule remains golden.