What would you do if a university student wanted to bring her newborn to class?

[camaleon]

That is really. I have to make a decision regarding this. I need advice. I want to accommodate this student as much as possible but I am very aware of disrupting other students' learning experience.
What would you do?

[lilyaldrin]

Why is it selfish?

[Onesleeptillwembley]

It could end up being very distracting for other students.

[lilyaldrin]

In what way?

[Onesleeptillwembley]

I'm guessing it's deliberate, but I'll humour you. Babies cry. Even if rushed out it would still be very distracting. Even sleeping babies can be quite noisy. I'm guessing you're not going to accept the obvious though.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

And yes, lot of 'guessing' but I'm tired after a long night shift.

[CailinDana]

Yes onesleep far better that she stay at home. Who does she think she is? She's a mother, there's no point in her being educated! Selfish. Of course when she fails the module and goes on benefits she'll be selfish then too.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Don't be ridiculous. So if say a policewoman has no childcare, or a surgeon, they take child to work? As I said, there's a time and a place. That isn't one.

[CailinDana]

Sitting in

[Procrastinating]

I'm a lecturer. I wouldn't mind at all as long as she took the baby out if it was unsettled.
I don't think it would distract my students either.

[CailinDana]

Sitting in a lecture hall in no way compares to catching criminals or performing surgery. Plenty of people on this thread have brought babies to lectures/given lectures with a baby in the room without problems. In most lecture halls it would be possible for her and the baby to sit metres away from any other students. For the students to be distracted they'd have to insist on sitting right next to her or sit facing away from the lecturer. Why they would do that is beyond me.

[AwfulMaureen]

At first I thought "no way" but then I really thought about it...I know workplaces and places of study need to be quiet at times but children and babies are part of the world...perhaps until we can take them around with us, there will never be equal rights for Mother's and women in general.

I like imagining a board meeting at a bank...with everyone discussing the important issues whilst caring for their babies...men and women together. Perhaps a designated nursery nurse or two milling about.

[CailinDana]

Indeed Buffy. In fact when I did my first degree there was a guy with Tourettes in my class. He had very loud verbal tics. The very first time he ticced we got a fright but after that no one took any notice. He ticced during every lecture for 3 years. Had no impact whatsoever on any other student.

[chemenger]

I would have no problem in lectures, the person most likely to be disturbed would be me (the lecturer), sometimes it feels like I am the only one listening anyway . I would be cautious in assessed presentations, simply because I have seen students kicking up a huge fuss about the slightest thing that affects assessment. If you have bent the rules (if, for example, your H&S rules forbid children) then a student would probably have their complaint listened to, however tenuous it was. Hell hath no fury like a student denied a mark.

[StormEEweather]

Amazing responses. I have chaired meetings and attended choir practice with a newborn, they spend 90% of their time feeding or sleeping. Why would there be any problem if she left as soon as baby cried? As for the comments about other people being distracted, they need to take responsibility for their learning. For heavens sake isn't it better that this young woman complete her course and breast feed her baby, rather than making her choose?

[woodrunner]

I'd say yes, on the understanding that she sits somewhere that she can get up and leave discreetly without disrupting the lesson, as soon as the baby makes any noise that might disrupt the class. And that if it doesn't work out, she needs to make other arrangements without fuss. Those would be non-negotiable terms.

I teach AE and one year let a student bring her baby in until he was crawling age, when it had to stop. Tbh, the baby did distract the students a fair bit, but it also created a strong bond within that particular class and they all went on to do well. I think we can be too narrow minded about what enables education. The addition of the (very easy going, quiet) baby opened the class up, and even the shyer students contributed far more than they might otherwise have done in more conventional circumstances.

But I was trying o work in a public library the other day and a mother was rolling round on the floor singing her heart out to her baby who was chuckling loudly. In many circumstances, very cute but I wanted to push her out the door. So insensitive.

[TunipTheUnconquerable]

'The addition of the (very easy going, quiet) baby opened the class up, and even the shyer students contributed far more than they might otherwise have done in more conventional circumstances.'

That's a very interesting point. I can imagine that dynamic. In all my years of teaching the group that learnt least were the group that didn't gel and hence weren't brave enough to contribute in front of each other. The social aspect is often underplayed, I think.

[Farahilda]

If the baby will be sleeping or feeding quietly, then it wouldn't cause a problem.

But that's an assumption that cannot be relied upon.

And of is qualification is needed for her future career and financial security, then proper childcare so she has some hours when can put full attention on her studies could put her in a far better position in the long run.

As an emergency measure, taking a baby along needn't be a problem. But it's not a good arrangement as the risk is missing a lot of lecture time because you cannot count on a baby being co-operatively quiet.

[Freyalright]

I think you have to ask the students. Education is very expensive these days. The students indirectly pay your wages.
I wouldn't advise it in schools or 6th form but if it's going to work, it might in university. The problem maybe if others bring their children too. 10 children aged 1month to 4 years maybe a problem.

[scallopsrgreat]

Blimey. I read it and thought that this was a no-brainer. Obviously not. I think the consterrnation with this is because the workplace (and in this case Universities) are set up for men with no childcare responsibilities. It isn't the norm. It is a bit scary to go against the norm. But tbh this needs to change. If your student is happy and comfortable with doing that then I'd say go for it.

I also think the point about the baby changing the social dynamic, really interesting and possibly really useful in a collaborative environment such as a univeristy.

[Freyalright]

Buffy- isn't allowing children in lectures pandering? Tuition fees are overpriced. I think if they are paying and the fact that children were allowed in lectures, wasn't stated in the prospectus, then you should ask the students.