In Spring 2016, I asked a faculty discussion group that focuses on teaching here at Berkeley whether it was important to them that students address them as "Professor …" or "Dr. …." or some other title. This led to a lively discussion with a very wide range of opinions. Some felt strongly about this issue, others did not. Some feel offended when addressed by their first name, others did not. Some feel it is OK to state on the first day or in a syllabus how they would like to be addressed, others think this is inappropriate.
After this discussion, I decided to write the following:
- How a student addresses me in person and in emails matters to me.
- I would prefer to be called any one of the following: "Professor Wallace", "Wallace sensei", "Mr. Wallace".
- I am OK with "Dr. Wallace", too.
- I am not very comfortable with just "Wallace".
- I am very uncomfortable with my first name, "John".
- The above is true for most students most of the time, including graduate students. If it seems we are closer than last name basis for one reason or another, please wait for me to say "I am comfortable with …", or ask me.
- That being said, I am also keenly interested in showing respect to you, too. Therefore, please let me know how you would like to be called when I call roll, when I am calling on you in class, when I email you, or when I am talking with you.
- I am completely OK if you would like me to use your first name.
- I am completely OK if you would like me to use your last name.
- Personally, I am completely OK with "Mr. …" or "Ms. …." although I suggest that this might sound odd in the middle of roll call.
- I am not OK with "sassy" nicknames that are not just causal names but are things like "Killer Joe" or "Mr. Gentleman".
- I will assume that you prefer a first name and I will start with calling you by your roster first name until you indicate otherwise with in the "Classname" assignment (if available) or at any other time. Many of my students have a first name that is not their roster first name. I would love to know and use this name if that is closer to your identity. By the way, I do not need an "American sounding" first name to simplify things. I enjoy the wide variety of names that I encounter on a daily basis. I apologize ahead of time for mispronouncing your name. I do try but some names just give me a challenge.
Observations for you, based on the discussion described above:
- While how you address your instructor is not important to some, it is very important to others.
- How a person signs at the bottom of an email is not a suggestion to you as to how that person would like to be addressed. These are entirely different things.
Suggestions for you, based on the discussion I described above:
- If an instructor has not yet clearly said how she or he would like to be addressed, I suggest you begin with a formal address, such as "Professor xxx" then simply ask politely how that individual would like to be addressed. I think it would be rare for someone to be offended by this type of question, when asked respectfully.
- At this university and elsewhere in your professional activity, how you address someone can have an impact on how successful your relationship will be. It is worth you time to cultivate the ability to interact well with others and in many cases how you address them is part of that total activity. I suggest you pay attention to this issue.