No babies on board

When Lanita Johnson's schedule conflicts with her husband's, she sometimes has to resort to breaking University policy.

As stated in the Children on Campus Policy, The University of Memphis doesn't allow students to bring their children to class. Johnson, senior biology major, did so once when she had no one to keep her nine-year-old daughter after her husband unexpectedly had to work late.

"I had to be in organic chemistry, but I sat in the back and I don't even think my professor even noticed that she was there," she said.

Last Halloween, students, faculty and staff were sent a reminder email by Rosie Bingham, vice president of student affairs, advising parents to leave their little ones at home.

 "At no time should students or employees bring children to campus as an alternative to regular childcare or school or when (s)he is too ill to attend their regular childcare locations," the email read.

Bingham referred students to The U of M policy, which states:

"Presence in classrooms is restricted to properly enrolled students or visitors with legitimate purpose, who may be adults or minors."

Meta Laabs, director of student affairs administration, said the rule applies to not only students, but faculty and staff as well.

"We ask that students not bring their (sick) children to class for the same reason they aren't allowed at their normal child care facilities: to prevent germs from spreading from an ichild," she said. "In emergency cases the classroom is the professor's prerogative on how to deal with special circumstances."

The policy said it is the instructor's responsibility to address disruptive issues with students who bring their students to class.

Johnson agreed that in normal circumstances parents should be prepared and said she will even try to avoid having scheduling issues in the future.

"I brought her to class but I don't think that students should make a habit of it. Its not good to just pop up with your child without speaking with the professor because it could make other students feel free to bring their children and then it becomes a distraction," she said.

Johnson said in addition to getting permission from the professor students should take their child's age into consideration.

"I think it was ok because my daughter is old enough to sit still, when she was younger I would not have brought her with me," she said.

Margaret Scott, child development center manager, said children can be a distraction.

"A child's attention span is limited depending on their age -- expecting a four-year-old child to sit still is an impossibility," she said.

Scott's facilities were referred by Bingham in her email stating that students should enroll their children in the child development center instead of taking them along to class.

"We have a three- star rating, the highest rating possible for daycare centers, and we are also accredited," she said. "We have an hourly rate of $2.75 for the students so they can have affordable options."

The child development center accepts applicants beginning at 30 months and is open Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. and close at 4:30 on Friday.