Student Government Senate passed a resolution Wednesday to urge the Office of Academic Affairs to examine the use of a “no technology in the classroom” policy enforced by some instructors.
The unofficial policy prohibits the use of laptops, cellphones and other electronic devices, and in a 88 percent favorable passage, SG approved the resolution to be sent to Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Jack Hamilton.
Ashley Hebert, Graduate School senator, said the issue of banned laptops has personally affected her along with many students on campus.
Although this is not a University policy, some professors are strictly enforcing the ban on electronic devices in their classes, and in a few cases, professors have penalized students who use electronic devices by deducting participation points, she said.
Hebert said she believes this policy inhibits student learning, and the University’s main concern should be student productivity in the classroom.
“This policy is making students work harder, not smarter,” she said. “I type faster than I write. If a student chooses to not pay attention, that’s their choice, and it’ll show in their grades. We’re all adults, and we pay to be here.”
Karla Frias, College of Engineering senator, agreed, saying she uses her laptop to keep her notes organized.
“It’s important to have the choice with how we learn,” she said. “No teacher knows exactly how each student learns.”
Emily Landry, E.J. Ourso College of Business senator, said she thinks her laptop can be a beneficial tool in class, but she often finds herself distracted from lessons.
Landry said students can be just as productive without a laptop, and many statistics reveal students pay more attention and receive high grades without the use of laptops.
“There are different strategies, without a computer, to learn in different ways,” she said. “Teachers are willing to work with students to get the information they need, but either way, it shouldn’t be regulated. It should be up the professor on how the class should be run.”
Frias disagreed that laptops result in classroom distraction.
“It’s the students’ responsibility to pay attention in class regardless,” Frias said. 
During the debate, many senators agreed the resolution was in favor of the students and their performance above all other aspects.
“We’re in the student Senate, and we’re representing the students,” said Roben West, College of Humanities and Social Sciences senator. “This is for the students; it’s not about the teachers.”
 
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Contact Kate Mabry at [email protected]