Faculty Perceptions and Experiences of Student Behavior: Does Gender Matter?

Abstract

The authors explore gender differences in faculty perceptions and experiences of student behavior as well as in class workload and policies. Overall, more similarities were found between males and females than differences. Both genders report experiencing the same number of classroom disruptions, requests for exceptions to due dates, and similar levels of respect, and students seek advice on personal matters from them in equal numbers. However, some gender differences do exist. Females are more likely to report being addressed as fiMs.fl or fiMrs.fl rather than fiDr.,fl and they believe that students see them as setting high standards and assigning a challenging workload more than males. Conversely, males are more likely to think that their students see them as experts, perceive them to have a lot of business experience, and consider them humorous. The information reported is an important start in assessing the academic climate in marketing departments for both genders.