The Traveler

Issue date: 2/27/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Veronica Pucci Henry Adams, a senior history major, works part time as a secretary in the journalism department. His position allows him to bring his son Cooper to work.

Bringing a toddler into a college classroom creates the potential for trouble, but for some UA students, the choice is to take their toddler to class or to miss out on that class entirely.

According to the 2008 faculty handbook, "Neither employees nor students should have family members, including children, or friends as a regular presence in their workplace or classrooms and other areas of instruction, including laboratories."

Many students who have experienced a class with a small child present said it had no significant impact on the learning environment.

"I wouldn't have even noticed she was there if I hadn't seen her walk in," UA journalism student Jessica Dove said. "She sat in the back row and was quiet the whole time."

The UA offers care for children ranging from 6 weeks old to 3 years old. Children can no longer be enrolled in the program after the semester during which they turn three, said Carole Chase, lead teacher at the Infant Development Center.

But space is tight in the center. There are 19 children enrolled in the program, which is the maximum capacity, Chase said. Seven infants and 12 toddlers comprise the program, and there is a wait list. Three of the children are those of students, and the rest are mostly children of faculty.

Sick children are not allowed in the Infant Development Center, meaning that student parents of sick children are either forced to take them to class or find someone else to watch time. The faculty policy about children in class allows children in the room for "special circumstances for short periods of time," if the teacher pre-approves the situation.

"My perceptions have been that it doesn't change the learning environment a lot," said James Gamble, a professor in the English department. Gamble joined the UA staff nearly 20 years ago and said he has only experienced parents with children in his classes six or seven times.

In his experience, it is predominantly mothers who bring their children to class, he said.

As long as it does not become a regular occurrence, Gamble said, he does not object to parents bringing their children to his classes.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools