Are teachers allowed to kick you out of the classroom for looking at your phone?

[CotF1692]

I am a college student, and I have a teacher who is hard core against cell phones in the class. (that and she just acts like all the students are children) When ever someone's phone goes off in their back pack, she writes their name down and when the next test comes around she subtracts points from them.

The other day my phone was on vibrate so she couldn't hear it, but it just kept going off so I took it out to shut it off. She caught me and asked what I was hiding, and told me to show the class. I put up no resistance and gave her no trouble, I just said "my phone was going off so I was shutting it off" and showed that it was indeed my phone. She then pointed to the door and said "good bye" I was baffled and asked "Are you really kicking me out?" and she angrily said "Yes, I have a zero tolerance on phones" once again I didn't fight this and just left. She also marked it as if I was absent for that day of class

I am just curious, are teachers actually allowed to do that? To subtract points from tests and kick students out and mark it against their attendance? I have the class tomorrow, I am not sure if she is gonna do anything else when I get there.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

She can mark you down for it, sure, but she's not allowed to mark you as absent.

You should report her.

 

[Harlemura]

If that is allowed, your college has some crazy-ass rules.

I think taking phones off people until the end of the class is fair, maybe until the end of the week if they're looking every five minutes of every class, but taking points off of tests doesn't even make sense, let alone kicking out a student for looking at their phone one time then saying they didn't show up for the lesson. You should probably report this or whatever.
Assuming your side of the story is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

 

[Mouse_Crouse]

I'm with Daystar here, I don't think she can mark you absent. But other then that is up to her. I'd simply ask the dean or whoever does student relations at your school and make sure. I wouldn't make a stink til you know if that is kosher.

 

[Skandis]

Wait, so your entire class consists of people that can't even turn off their cell when they're clearly in a position where they're not meant to use it.

Please tell me you're just pretending you're in college to appear cooler...

 

[Guffe]

I thought "hard core against phones" and I got "armageddon against phones" I mean teachers can tell you to turn it off but she's got to be like the devil og phone-world or something!

 

[Fiad]

Wait, so your entire class consists of people that can't even turn off their cell when they're clearly in a position where they're not meant to use it.

Please tell me you're just pretending you're in college to appear cooler...

People are idiots when it comes to phones. Even if they are told they need to have them off they will not because whatever text they get from their BBF Jill is going to be so important and lifechanging that the rules don't apply.

 

[Ympulse]

I am a college student, and I have a teacher who is hard core against cell phones in the class. (that and she just acts like all the students are children)

Well you are. You're taking that class to learn, not dick around on your phone.

Grow up, get some discipline, and turn your cell phone off during classes. ESPECIALLY in fucking college.

 

[emeraldrafael]

depends what it says in the rules.

Ultimately, its their class, so if they say something about no phones in the syllabus than yes then can. I know a college professor at a friends college takes your phone and keeps it till the next class (he only teaches once a week 2+ hr classes) unless you come to his office and work out an acceptable punishment (hving to do extra homework or something).

Now as to taking points off... no, that seems a bit excessive and punishment for a former crime that shouldnt relate to what you are going to do int eh future. if the test is that day and she does, I could see why because it can be interpreted as cheating. But as to taking points off tests, I dont think so. Thats usually why most teachers who do something liike that will use whatever points they are given to do with whatever they want (10-15 of total grade and such) use it towards class conduct. So she may be doing that, though if she is, she's playing with fire in the way shes going about it.

EDIT: as to the absent thing... it may be your schools policy on attendance. in my high shcool you were marked absent if you left before the middle of class (time wise) and if you had a not saying why youw ere excused. I have professors in college who have long classes (I have one of those 2+ hr classes that are once a week, as well as some 1+ hr classes that I take twice a week) so that you dont leave during the small break they offer in class cause theey know its hard to sit for that long and constantly learn. now if you get up and leave during the lesson, they can mark you absent because you are volunarily leaving half way through. Just liike if you leave your job half way through the work day. though most teachers when kids do that will just put up an assignment at the end of class with kids' names on them so that you cant copy them for a friend. and they dont let you take them to their friend either. so you miss points that way.

...

TL;DR, she can if she wants to and has stated her rules against phones. its a gray area on the test thing, but I would initially say no.

and while Im not saying this about the OP or anyone in particular, the self entitled posts that will say "its just a phone man" or "no way man, you werent using the phone to cheat" or "but no one else thought it was distracting" that isnt the point. There is no reason that if a teacher says you cant use something in class where it is not needed (phones as calculators, laptops to take notes instead of writing them down) that you need to have it with you and on. If you're using your phone as a calculator or laptop as a notepad then you're just unprepared. the only exception would be the first class you are in it where you do not know the rules, and even then you could ask other students the rules.

 

[Who Dares Wins]

They are where I live. Happened 4 times this year alone.

 

[MrMixelPixel]

My educators aren't bothered by cellular phone presence... most of the time.

I usually just keep my phone out on my desk. So I can check the time or look up a word I'm not sure how to spell. Testing days, are the only days in which cell phones aren't permitted in class.

I'm not sure if she has the power to do what she does or not. Your situation does appear reportable though...

 

[tendaji]

If the teacher has it in their rules in their syllabus, they are well within their rights to throw you out. You were warned of the rules against cellphones when you attended the class, you even signed that you were given, read, and that you understand the syllabus, which is basically your class contract.

Just turn off the stupid piece of machinery, it can wait till the end of class, of course if you are expecting an important phone call, you could always tell her at the beginning of class and take it outside. But for the most part an hour and a half or however long, without a phone isn't going to kill you.

 

[CotF1692]

If only your teacher owned a few movie theaters as well, the world would be a better place.

Why do you find it so difficult to shut your phone before class?

That is actually my biggest complaint when people's cell phones go off. I usually leave it on and on vibrate because half way through the class we get a 10 minute break, so I glance through during breaks. I was in the wrong for having it on I know but I still think she over reacted.

The class is 2 hours and 30 minutes long

 

[renegade7]

It depends on the school, you can be given all sorts of penalties. At my high school you can get a dean's referral (the new way of saying "Get sent to the office") if you get caught using it too much.


Though I might add, I had my first experience teaching a class over the summer, and I can tell you very little is more irritating than having to repeat something you just went over and slow down the entire class because someone couldn't be bothered to turn his or her phone off and pay attention. Seriously, just use it during your passing period, I'm sure whatever it was could have waited until the end of class.

 

[Neverhoodian]

I believe she can. College professors typically have more freedom than junior high/high school teachers when it comes to such matters.

I'm not sure if you can really do much about it. You could try discussing the issue with her after class (or the head of her department if she refuses to listen), but I wouldn't expect anything to change.

I must admit though that her reaction is a bit extreme. Most professors I had would just glare at the offending party and perhaps emit an exasperated sigh, but they never booted someone out of the class for it. I would always turn my phone off beforehand anyway to spare myself the potential embarrassment. Besides, it's only common courtesy to do so. If you simply must keep it on for a legitimate emergency, it's best to ask the professor before class starts if they're willing to make an exception.

 

[Speakercone]

Wait, so your entire class consists of people that can't even turn off their cell when they're clearly in a position where they're not meant to use it.

Please tell me you're just pretending you're in college to appear cooler...

In the UK, college is where you go to do your A-levels. That's the last 2 years of high school. After college, you go to uni. Assuming that's what the OT meant.

OT: Turn off your bloody phone, mate. It's not hard. If you're really concerned that things aren't being done properly, then talk to your head teacher.

 

[Bazaalmon]

My college sends out emergency messages via texts and voicemail, so the teachers can't force you to turn off your phones, but they do ask you to put them on vibrate.
Still, Kicking you out of class seems a tad extreme, especially if there is an attendance-based drop policy. Usually the Student Handbook or its equivalent will lay out the rules. If it says that the teacher is free to kick you out, then you are sadly SOL. If not, then I would report them.
Marking you as Absent is completely wrong though. You were there and ready to learn, and she's acting as if you decided to skip class that day. Sounds like a punishable offence to me.
Also, a teacher who gets angry at a student for putting their phone AWAY is a little crazy.

Edit: After thinking about it some more, and reading other responses, I would try talking to the teacher before reporting him/her. People do tend to be reasonable if you present your argument in a logical and comprehensible way.

 

[THAC0]

Wait, so your entire class consists of people that can't even turn off their cell when they're clearly in a position where they're not meant to use it.

Please tell me you're just pretending you're in college to appear cooler...

People are idiots when it comes to phones. Even if they are told they need to have them off they will not because whatever text they get from their BBF Jill is going to be so important and lifechanging that the rules don't apply.

pretty much this. a thousand times this.

when i get out of the Navy and get a job as a professor i am going to rule that if i hear or see your phone, you will automatically fail the next test.

the nursing classes at the college i went to had a similar rule: we see your phone, or hear it, don't bother coming back because you just failed the whole class.