Inappropriate to give your soon-to-be prof a gift?

[theWUbear]

I'm currently a post-bacc student, and I have needed to get email after email, letter after letter from two professors giving me permission to take their courses next semester because as a post bacc without the prerequisites I had a million bureaucratic hoops to jump through. I want to show my appreciation for these professors because they have *much* better things to do than help me deal with bureaucracy and it has been so kind of them to help me. Box of chocolate with a hallmark thank you card? Just a card?

Is it inappropriate to give gifts at all, seeing that they will be in a position to give me a grade in the future?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[NK1Positive]

I think a well thought out "Thank You" card would suffice..

 

[BBender716]

Stick with a thank you card or thank you email. Gift crosses the boundary until you are done with the class IMO.

 

[NK1Positive]

Stick with a thank you card or thank you email. Gift crosses the boundary until you are done with the class IMO.

Completely agree. Card is the way to go OP 👍

 

[LizzyM]

They are just doing the jobs you pay for with your tuition (granted, tuition doesn't cover 100% but for the sake of argument....)

A gift before classes begin creates a conflict of interest. I would be very uncomfortable in that situation (and I like chocolate).

A heartfelt "thank you" when you see the teacher for the first time in class would be appropriate.

I teach three sections per year and I always have a couple of students who require some extra help in getting permission to take the class, etc. It goes with the territory and is just part of the job.

 

[dukemed22]

Yeah, a nice "Thank You" in person, and save the gifts until after you take the class.

 

[ArkansasRanger]

just leave a $20 on their desk

 

[FIREitUP]

lap dance

 

[J ROD]

lap dance

couch dances are MUCH better!!!

 

[J ROD]

Honestly, just say "thank you"...and mean it!!!

 

[FIREitUP]

Honestly, just say "thank you"...and mean it!!!

say it with your pants off.

 

[mvenus929]

Just FYI... some states have laws about professors accepting gifts. I know here it's created some issue with the children of professors getting scholarships, because they can't accept anything over like $5 in value.

Just say thank you, send a card if you feel so inclined.

 

[La Doctora]

A card is fine, chocolates or another gift is overstepping and could create an awkward situation.