snacks caused a wind wave.

The Sacramento Bee posted a news story this morning about a professor of Sacramento state university who was stopped from requiring snacks from his students during class by the dean of that university. Sources say that the professor had been doing that over 39 years. (http://www.sacbee.com/2011/11/23/4074957/sac-state-students-dont-have-to.html#disqus_thread)

When I first time saw this news, I didn't feel surprise because it happens in USA. I agree that professor's view on his behavior is way of encouraging students to work collectively, among other things. I feel comfortable sharing snacks with my instructors and colleagues during class when it doesn't interrupt the formal class. I have heard that some successful companies such as Yahoo, Google, etc.  have their snacks serve area for their employees in the workplace, and I think that's a good way to cheer up the employees. Only working in the workplace seems boring for the employees nowadays. Personally, I hope that I can have a professional work environment but at the same time can have fun and a good relationship with my co-workers. Sometimes, even a snack can break the ice when you are not so familiar with some new people. In this case, a little snack has huge power.

On the other hand,I don't agree with the professor's behavior that he force his students to bring snacks and left the classroom during class when his students didn't meet his snack requirements. Everybody should feel comfortable when you share something with others. If not, then that's not sharing. In the professor's case, that's not sharing. Students were forced to bring snacks to the class, and the professor should let the students feel free to do so, so that the students can learn something from that.

I found this news in the education column. I think it's weird, but I also think it's really a serious problem for us to think about.