10-minute class rule: Reality or myth
The notorious “10-minute rule” states that if a professor is more than 10 minutes late, or if a doctor is 15 minutes late, then students are “allowed” to leave.
Although there is not a formal university-wide policy, it is up to individual professors to specify their class procedures.
“I don’t know if it has ever formally been referenced, or if it is just one of those things that is largely unspoken,” said Bob Wilson, the university historian and professor of history. “I will say that in my class, my student’s are legitimately allowed to leave 10 minutes early if I am not there. It is more of an individual etiquette thing.”
Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Kenneth Procter thinks it is about politeness.
“I think it’s a matter of courtesy to notify students in advance if they will not be at their class,” Procter said. “However at the same time, it is also good courtesy for students to use their best judgement on when they will get up out of a class if a professor is running late. I do know there is a list of certain things that go on a syllabus, and this is not one of them.”
Senior history major Gordon Thomas said he has had several run-ins with the infamous “10-minute rule.”
“I normally stick around until someone comes by my class to let us know whether or not our professor will be coming,” Gordon said. “I almost left once with some friends after 10 minutes had passed, and right as we were about to walk out the door our teacher showed up. Normally teachers will say if they didn’t notify you that class was cancelled, (if) it is still going to be going on.”
Other students, such as junior mass communication major Natalie Sorto, have also had similar experiences.
“I don’t really think it’s necessarily a code, so I always try to wait as long as possible,” Sorto said, “There have been several instances where I could have left class and didn’t, primarily because I have class afterwards anyway. I’m never in much of a hurry when it comes to school work, so I tend to stick around and just wait until I really think they just aren’t going to show up.”
On the Georgia College website via the undergraduate catalog, there is no mention of the 10-minute rule, nor anything similar to the topic. It merely states that:
“Although it is recognized that absences will sometimes be necessary, students are expected to attend classes regularly. It is the responsibility of the students to be cognizant of their own record of absences and consult the instructor regarding work missed.”
The university page does mention that is the student’s responsibility to keep track of their absences, but not who is responsible for deciding whether or not a student should be permitted to leave their class if their professor is more than fashionably late. For now, students should take caution when thinking of leaving a class after a 10 minute no-show because it could end in an unexcused absence instead of an early break from the lecture.
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