Relationships with Staff

1. Relationships with Academic Staff

An important aspect of a student´s life is the relationship with members of staff. It is not possible to give a list of "do´s" and "don´ts" on how to behave with academic staff. Expectations and "rules" vary so much from department to department and even from individual to individual. The relationship with some lecturers/tutors/supervisors will be very formal with titles and surnames being used at all times. Other members of staff like to be called by their first names and may socialise with their students on a very informal basis.

1. If you are not sure how to address a member of academic staff you can either ask them, ‘What should I call you?’, or, if you feel too shy to do this, ask the departmental secretary or your classmates how most students address this particular lecturer. Alternatively, just listen to the other students talking to her/him and do as they do. "Lady" or "Ma'am" are not used.
2. Discussion and disagreement is acceptable (and even expected) as long as you can back up your opinions/ideas. A good lecturer/supervisor does not want students to agree with her/him all the time. Equally these staff do have experience with many students. You should seek and value their opinions on your work.

2. Relationships with other staff

1. Students from all countries in the world talk to academic staff with respect and courtesy.
2. Non-academic staff, however, often comment that some students have inappropriate expectations of them and do not always use the same courtesies they would with academic staff.
   
3. Of course, some students come from societies where the person who cleans, serves food, deals with security, etc is a servant. It can be difficult to adjust to a society where domestic assistants, catering staff, porters are valued members of staff who expect to be treated with respect. There are definitely no servants in the University!
   
4. Clerical and technical staff also hold responsible jobs and are in positions where they often have to tell a student what s/he can or cannot do. To those coming from other cultures where only the ‘boss’ really has any authority, this can be confusing and result in behaviour which the British can interpret as rude.
5. It takes some time to learn what behaviour is expected and acceptable. Unfortunately barriers are often set up early on in a working relationship which can prevent it ever working.
6. It is important to realise that British culture judges people as polite or otherwise according to how they treat cleaners, porters, secretaries, caterers as well as how they treat professors.

3. Their Relationship with you

It is hoped that all students are treated with respect by all members of staff. Some international students may be very wealthy or hold very senior positions in their own country – bank managers, university lecturers, doctors, senior civil servants and so on. In many countries, such a position would entitle an individual to a special kind of respect and deference from those around her/him. Some students with such backgrounds find it difficult to adjust to being `just another student´. They might expect members of staff to treat them in a more formal and humble way. However, your position and rank in your home country is unlikely to have this effect on your life in Britain. This is not meant as a sign of disrespect but can be hard to adjust to nevertheless.