MBA Etiquette 101: Part II

I would like to expand upon what I had discussed last time in regards to classroom etiquette and speak about proper etiquette around the tight quarters of Ross. I am sure you have all noticed our major space crunch, and until the new building opens, it is going to continue to be difficult for the 400 students coming out of class to pass the 400 students going into class, as we all move through the same tight hallways and stairwells. It is especially hard to maneuver through the executive lounge/stair area, so to the MBAs trying to flirt with each other as you pass in the stairs, please wait until you are in a private area or at least a place where people can easily pass you without becoming part of the courting process. When you are having a conversation with a friend about a girl from skeeps the night before, please move away from the general flow of traffic. Things are tight enough without having to dodge the groups stopped in the staircase or standing in a doorway trying to figure out when the 6 of them can meet to work on a team project! We may be on Michigan time, but it shouldn't take 10 minutes to get from E1540 to E1550.

A popular place to congregate is the cafeteria. I am sure the smell of Sodexho's cooking reminds you of being at home and having a hot meal prepared for you while you sit at the kitchen table and do your homework, but unfortunately you have to share these tables with 800 of your closest friends! Throughout the day people meet there to catch up with friends or work on that strategy case or valuation problem set. Again, this makes tables and space sparse and valuable. So to the students who camp out there all day, leaving books and papers to save their spots, stop! Go outside for a bit, walk to Amers, or venture over to Wyle for a change of scenery! I have also noticed that some people seem to think that the increase in our tuition this year must be going to a maid service, since people leave their plates, trays, and garbage on the tables when they are done eating. Unfortunately, this isn't the case and we are responsible for cleaning up after ourselves. As a common courtesy, please clear away your stuff, and leave the table in a condition for others to use.

Something that has bewildered me during my brief time at Ross is the volume and behavior in the library. Again, I recognize that there is a lack of common space, but this is no excuse to act as though you are in the middle of a playground. On a daily basis you can see people throwing things around the room to each other, talking loudly about the latest 90210 or fantasy football draft, eating three course meals that take up half a table, or speaking loudly to a boyfriend/girlfriend on the phone. While these are all entertaining to watch and listen to and provide me with a distraction from my microeconomics homework, the library is common space for all to use and we need to respect the fact that everyone may not be interested in the smell of your Zas. The vibrate option on a phone was made for a reason- so others don't have to listen to "Flo-rida" every time you get a phone call! We seem to have forgotten a 1st grade lesson while at business school- "indoor voices". Please remember that not everyone wants to hear your conversations when you are around school and it's fair to say that what is said loudly becomes public knowledge, and with the gossip mills of Michigan, this can only lead to trouble!