Would it detract from the prestige of a college if a professor taught classes like this?

If he teaches in Chicago or Minnesota in the winter, I think he could be challenged. If he taught small classes (which are less formal than large lectures) and he is at UC Santa Barbara or San Diego State, he’d be considered “quirky”. Context means a lot.

The most casually dressed professor I had taught one of the most difficult Statistics classes. I don’t correlate dress with the difficulty of the course.

I don’t correlate dress with the difficulty of the course either. I was commenting that they say his classes are easy. I do realize professors don’t have to wear coats and ties.
I was wondering if it is not all that strange anymore to teach college courses barefoot and if it would detract from the institution’s prestige. I like to know what’s going on “out there” since I’m mostly “in here” and am curious about new trends.

It doesn’t matter what a person wears to teach. It has no effect on his/her teachings.

No; it wouldn’t affect their ability to teach. But I’m picturing what could follow and wondering if it would come to the attention of the head of the department if they began teaching barefoot without shirts. Or if a school full of half naked teachers would have less prestige than, say, Harvard. No? OK: I was just wondering. lol

It would matter, based on course material. If the class was of an alternative nature, I would expect an off-beat or artsy kind of professor.

EDIT: I agree that it wouldn’t change teaching capability, but my answer is based solely on whether it would detract from the school’s prestigious status.

The only thing in this situation that would detract from the university’s prestige is that his class is considered easy. His manner of dress is secondary to the actual teaching.

I’ve met a male professor (Philosophy) who goes to class dressed as a woman. Doesn’t affect the uni and he is, I’ve heard, a very good professor.

@Taciturnu he teaches geography.

Jesus taught in sandals and a robe. Or something. Let’s not listen to him!

I see your point, I think, but what else did He have to choose from?

@Aster I like quirky people. . . Like, some of them are bordering institutionalization.

There’s two sides that I could see. 1— He would be considered a detriment to how people perceive the school. 2— They think throwing someone in there with quirks will make for better rounded students. After all, the world isn’t made up of quiet mannered men in suits.

I don’t know. This is a tougher question than I thought it was.

I have always said, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression”.

To me, it does not matter if a teacher is teaching kindergarten, they should wear apparel that represents the leadership of a teacher. The only exception would be in a swimming class, where everyone is wearing swimsuits.

Anything can be carried to the extreme and I believe your distant cousin has reached this point.

Teachers are supposed to be leaders, not leftover hippies from the 70s.

And, being barefoot….......that just tops it all.

Since student evaluations have inappropiately become a large factor in a professor’s career, all the hot professors teach in the nude.

I think it would detract from the prestige of the school if many professors were doing this. As it is, he probably just gets pegged as the quirky geography prof. As much as it has no bearing on his teaching, it’s probably a bad move. People are annoyingly (and illogically) judgmental about barefooting.