My main attraction to LECOM is PBL. I can overlook a lot of the small stuff, but I keep wondering if some of the small stuff is foretelling of larger issues. The food and drink rules, for example, seem to be very nitpicky. It really is a trivial issue, but if it is that trivial why have the rule at all? I wonder if it is a tell for the level of respect that the administration has for its students.
I don't think it's that nitpicky. People are messy, and they want to keep the building nice. That's part of it. Another part of it, I think, is to prepare us for being in the Hospital, where similar rules are in place.
I thought I would have a HUGE problem with this rule, especially when I'm sick, but I really don't. If I am studying at school, it's nice to be "forced" (because you're thirsty) to take a study break and go down the the lounge and get a drink. Nice brain break. I rarely study at school though, and we never have a lecture longer than 50min without a break, in which case you can just run to the water fountain if you're really thirsty.
For 99% of the faculty there is no problem with respect or professionalism. I love most of our faculty. There will always be one or two people who rub you the wrong way, but often that's just because you don't know them well enough...there's a couple docs that I didn't like early on (or don't like in OMM lab) but really enjoyed having in PBL during 2nd year.
For those that don't know, you get a PhD for PBL first year, and an MD/DO for PBL 2nd year (mostly...this rule bends occasionally).
One of the other issues is why does the building have hours of operation? Why would it not be open 24 hours for students with access cards?
I'm not sure of the real reason, but I think it's to encourage us to get some sleep. We often have early classes, and setting a "closing time" forces people to close up shop and go to bed.
Honestly, there's nothing there. It's just a place to have class meetings really...I have no idea who in their right mind would WANT to be there are 1 or 2 am. Unless they're really drunk...which may be why they have the rule...lol.
It seems as though the school holds the students to a very high level of professionalism and maturity, but yet it has policies that are more reflective of a high school.
I know it can seem like that, and many people perceive it as such. Honestly, sometimes it feels like high school. You'll have a lot of immature classmates. Guess why they take attendance (not always, but intermittently...pretty regularly for OMM lab)? Because the students don't show up. They tried to not take attendance with my class, but too many people were skipping, so guess what...attendance. Mostly the policies exist because WE behave like high schoolers.
Myself, I don't look at it like high school. I look at it like a Hospital. You can't eat or drink wherever you want in a hospital. There are designated areas. It's a little more free maybe than LECOM, but it's still restrictive. You have to buzz in and out at a hospital. You have to dress professionally. You'll have security guards who tell you that you can't leave your car parked there overnight (people complain about this too!). You'll have security cameras watching you (we do too...it's awesome...no one can steal your stuff). So, for me, it's preparation for next year (and the rest of our lives...)
I know its early but lets get to know each other a little better.
