Education is not the filling of a pail, it is the lighting of a fire. - W. B. Yeats

Rules of Common Courtesy

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Graduate Student Offices Rules of Common Courtesy

Please recognize that these are shared offices and rules of common courtesy should apply. Following the rules below, and being courteous and considerate in general, will ensure that you have a pleasant experience in the Math Department.


  1. Offices are work and study places and a work/study environment has priority over social or recreational activities.

  2. As GTAs, we all have office hours. Be courteous to your office mates in determining how you conduct your office hours.

    • No more than 2 students can be effectively helped at your desk.

    • If no one else is using the office, problem solving at whiteboards in your office is effective for 1-3 students. However, if others are in the office working and/or the group exceeds 3 students, move to a study/review room:

    • Room 9
    • Room 14 & 15
    • Room 130
    • Other rooms on campus

    These rooms can be reserved in advance by asking Karena or Bryan.

    • It is recommended that you be at your desk during your office hours. This ensures that students will be able to easily find you and not have to search from room to room.


Note: Rooms 9, 14, and 15 are specifically for office hours and graduate studies. In particular, during business hours, these are not undergraduate study rooms; nor should they be used for private tutoring. Space is at a premium, and we cannot provide study areas for undergraduate students. Please check with the office staff for availability/scheduling of a study/review room when necessary.


  1. Not everyone considers music appropriate for a work environment. If you would like to listen to music, headphones are highly recommended.

  2. Computers are provided for professional use, to include email, website management, grade records, and research. Please be courteous to your fellow students. During business hours, refrain from using the computers for recreational activities (games, web surfing). After business hours, professional activities still have priority. Remember that not all computers have the same capabilities. Just because other computers are not in use, this does not mean that someone else does not need the computer you are using to play.

  3. Please clean up after yourself (fridge, microwave, common tables). Let Bryan know if you need supplies for cleaning.

  4. Please keep all cell phones on a silent or quiet tone. While not in the office, please either take your phone with you or turn it off.

  5. University policy is “no pets are allowed in buildings,” and since the office areas are shared space, rules of courtesy reinforce this policy. Other than fish, please do not bring your pets into the office.


    • Your student representative is: Troy Butler