Sitting in on college classes

[thirtythree]

What I mean is sitting in on a class that you aren't enrolled in, but not turning in any assignments or tests, obviously.

 

[Ricemarine]

Depends on the reason of you being there in the first place.

 

[coldmeat]

I don't imagine they would stop you, because how are they supposed to know you aren't enrolled? Unless it was a small class and the professor knew that you were not in it.

 

[jpeyton]

Not at all.

In fact, someone who is sitting in on a college class voluntarily for no credit is probably more motivated to learn than your average enrolled student.

Besides, professors don't give students individual attention during large lectures, so you're not taking up their time by being there.

 

[thirtythree]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
Depends on the reason of you being there in the first place.

Just want to learn. I work at the university and graduated from the university, but I'm not currently enrolled as a student.

Originally posted by: coldmeat
I don't imagine they would stop you, because how are they supposed to know you aren't enrolled? Unless it was a small class and the professor knew that you were not in it.

I don't think they'll stop me realistically, but would they if they knew? Granted, I could always ask the professor, but I don't want to be turned down.

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: thirtythree

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
Depends on the reason of you being there in the first place.

Just want to learn. I work at the university and graduated from the university, but I'm not currently enrolled as a student.

Originally posted by: coldmeat
I don't imagine they would stop you, because how are they supposed to know you aren't enrolled? Unless it was a small class and the professor knew that you were not in it.

I don't think they'll stop me realistically, but would they if they knew? Granted, I could always ask the professor, but I don't want to be turned down.

I'd consider it taking an audited course without paying tuition.
Of course, if the classroom is huge, you can probably slip by.

Of course, this is my opinion though, take my words with a grain of salt.

 

[Modeps]

if you work at the University that you're attending these classes at, you are not doing anything unethical or illegal, but you should really run it by the professors first. Just about every Uni worth its salt allows staff to audit classes at no charge and no credit. Do a search on your website for "auditing courses" and see what turns up.

 

[thirtythree]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
I'd consider it taking an audited course without paying tuition.
Of course, if the classroom is huge, you can probably slip by.

Of course, this is my opinion though, take my words with a grain of salt.

The difference is that when you audit a class, you turn in assignments and take tests and such. I'm not actually creating any additional work for the professor. But still, I do feel like I'm taking advantage of the professor in a way. I guess the best thing to do is ask first.

Originally posted by: Modeps
if you work at the University that you're attending these classes at, you are not doing anything unethical or illegal, but you should really run it by the professors first. Just about every Uni worth its salt allows staff to audit classes at no charge and no credit. Do a search on your website for "auditing courses" and see what turns up.

Employees get half off tuition (or audit fees). I don't actually qualify since I'm not full-time with the university, but I think I still qualify since my dad works for the university full-time.

 

[BrownTown]

if you go to the school in question you could just audit the course (take it for no credit), and even if you just randomly sit in I really don't see it as unethical or anything since your already paying to be a student there. If, however, you are not a student then its probably a little unethical (and almsot certainlly illegal), but you maybe can still get away with it. But you could just go and look up MITs online courseware, or buy the book and do pretty well if you are really that motivated.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

as long as you don't get in the way it shouldn't be a problem (especially larger lectures, although I'd only do it if the hall/room isn't filled up because I wouldn't want to take anyone's seat)

 

[TallBill]

Just ask.

 

[Kadarin]

I once sat in on a literature class with my then g/f just for the hell of it. It was a waste of time, as the instructor (slightly goofy neo-pagan type lady) really didn't have much of interest to say, and the students in the class all seemed to have a collective case of terminal ennui. At one point I asked a reasonably intelligent question, and the instructor's eyes lit up and she asked me what my name was...

I figured I had the right to be there given that I was the one writing the essays that got her the A in the class. Ah, the stupid things we guys do to get laid, sometimes...

 

[Kelemvor]

People audit classes all the time.

However you should sit in the back, not ask questions, etc since you haven't paid to be there...

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: thirtythree

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
I'd consider it taking an audited course without paying tuition.
Of course, if the classroom is huge, you can probably slip by.

Of course, this is my opinion though, take my words with a grain of salt.

The difference is that when you audit a class, you turn in assignments and take tests and such. I'm not actually creating any additional work for the professor. But still, I do feel like I'm taking advantage of the professor in a way. I guess the best thing to do is ask first.

Originally posted by: Modeps
if you work at the University that you're attending these classes at, you are not doing anything unethical or illegal, but you should really run it by the professors first. Just about every Uni worth its salt allows staff to audit classes at no charge and no credit. Do a search on your website for "auditing courses" and see what turns up.

Employees get half off tuition (or audit fees). I don't actually qualify since I'm not full-time with the university, but I think I still qualify since my dad works for the university full-time.

At my university, auditing a class meant just attending lectures. You could turn in homework or take tests voluntarily.

 

[frostedflakes]

If I had graduated from the university and supplied them with tens of thousands of tuition dollars over nearly half a decade, I wouldn't feel at all guilty about sitting in a lecture or two. As you mentioned it's not like you're creating any extra work for the professor, he'd be there giving lectures whether you were present or not.

But because you're faculty and people may recognize you, it might be easier to get caught, and I don't know how the university would feel about something like this. Just to be safe you should probably run it by one of the higher ups.

 

[TheOmegaCode]

That all depends on the class size, instructor and school policy. Some don't mind, some frown on it, and some are against it. There's no harm in asking though, unless you're afraid they'll say 'no.'

 

[Safeway]

As Modeps said, you should be auditing the course. I find it unethical if you sit in without paying some nominal fee. You are taking up a seat, increasing the energy/utility use, and learning. Might as well show your appreciation.

 

[cheezmunky]

I sat in a class all semester my senior year of college, but I asked the prof beforehand if that was all right with him.

 

[bignateyk]

At most universities it still costs money (albeit not as much) to audit a class. The difference is that it will then appear on your transcript as an audit. If you just show up without paying or anything I doubt anyone would care, but it isn't going to appear anywhere on your records.

 

[rh71]

As a paying student, we had many lecture halls with 300+ ppl. Nobody would know or care if you are sitting in. Then again those large lectures were dull/boring/useless.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: rh71
As a paying student, we had many lecture halls with 300+ ppl. Nobody would know or care if you are sitting in. Then again those large lectures were dull/boring/useless.

Right, my statements were aimed more towards upper division/graduate courses. These classes have 10 to 15 students in them.

If an auditing system is in place, use it. If you don't, it is unethical and you are stealing the professors time and the University's money.

 

[Xavier434]

The polite thing to do is ask before hand, but I don't see why it would be a problem if you just came in and sat down unless seating is limited.

 

[TheVrolok]

I've done it numerous times. Never had a problem, for smaller classes I just spoke to the professor and they never had a problem.

 

[CycloWizard]

I've also done this many times. You just need to ask the professor. They won't say no - they want people to hear them talk. The only exception might be a university that pays professors based on the number of students enrolled in the class. This is somewhat rare, but my undergrad institution did this for summer courses.

 

[mundane]

Originally posted by: TheVrolok
I've done it numerous times. Never had a problem, for smaller classes I just spoke to the professor and they never had a problem.

Same here. In one instance, I dropped the class earlier in the quarter since I couldn't juggle the workload between it and another demanding course. I still wanted to be exposed to the rest of the material, and the professor was enthusiastic about attending.