How to Communicate with Your Instructor

1. Voice mail - The direct line to my office is (508) 531-2893. If I am not at my desk you can leave voice mail. Be sure to leave your name and a number where I can call you back if necessary.

2. E-mail - My e-mail address is phayesboh@bridgew.edu. When sending e-mail keep the following in mind:

• I check my e-mail regularly during my work day from 7:45 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. I occasionally check it in the evenings from home, but don't count on it. I never check it after 9:00 p.m. I also try to check it late Sunday afternoon.
• The College provides you with a BSC e-mail account. I highly recommend that you use it. I always use my BSC account so I will know if there was a problem with the College's e-mail system, but I won't know about any disasters with your aol, yahoo, or comcast accounts. 
• If you send e-mail from an account other than your BSC account  think about how I (or any of your professors) will perceive a request for a grade reconsideration from someone whose username is something like "spoiledbrat". It is possible I won't even see such messages as they are likely to be stopped in the "spam catcher" before they make it to my inbox.
• Sign your e-mail with your first and last name.
• Put the course name in the subject line
• I will do my best respond to student e-mails within 24 hours. If you don't receive a response from me you can assume I did not get the e-mail. I will respond to all student e-mails unless I get a "flame". These I will simply forward to the Chief of Police and my supervisor.
• When communicating with an instructor remember that you are sending professional correspondence. This means you should not use the kind of shorthand you use when sending informal messages to friends, and one exclamation point is enough. Messages should be written in good English. I will also accept messages written in poor Spanish.

3. Office hours - Please take advantage of my office hours, or make an appointment to talk to me if my office hours are not convenient. Remember that I also have online office hours at the same time I have regular office hours.

Unless you are unconscious there is rarely an excuse for not contacting me in a timely fashion if you have missed class or an exam. There are plenty of ways for students to reach me. I will not believe you if you come back to class after having been absent and tell me "I've been trying to get in touch with you..." 

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This page was last updated on August 24, 2007