The issue of language and gender is also addressed within this survey. This is because of the different answers received from both men and women and the different ways in which men and women speak and interact. There are no patterns that are exclusive in language and gender rather they are merely stereotypes. "Stereotypes are often based on actual performance in recognition of what people in given social categories tend to do. But they also act as reinforcements, encouraging people to conform to socially prescribed norms"(Bonvillian 184).

The results are a students worst nightmare because there was no strong pattern behind the answers in this category. Everyone has a different preference, although some distinctions can be made. Note that more than one answer was possible for this field, so the faculty could chose many different choices. It appears that faculty members want to be formal in order to gain or maintain respect. Where some women preferred to be called Ms. or Mrs. for example others truly despised it. "As long as we are in the context of a professional relationship with my students, I am uncomfortable if they call me by my first name. And I am NOT "Mrs." and find it annoying when I am addressed that way." Five of those who responded preferred to be called Ms. or Mrs. compared to the ten that liked a more professional title based on rank. Where in one case a faculty member felt Ms. was informal and disrespectful, in another we see a female faculty member felt this form of address was a sign of respect. "(The Title) creates a distance and level of respect for me." An interesting note is this same faculty member addresses her students with Mr. or Ms. showing mutual respect for her students. Another Lecturer allowed the student to decide between first name and Mrs. in order to make interactions more comfortable. "I feel a little funny about then calling students by their first names. It's an un-resolvable dilemma, because it seems very strange for me to address students as Mr. or Ms. X." To maintain professionalism in the classrooms should this formality be used both ways as this instructor suggests? Another Professor explained in his autobiographic web site what he calls his students and why. "... I use both your names in class. First name and last name. Some students always ask, so I'll tell you why. Back in the 1960s, when I started teaching, I used to say "Mr. X" or "Miss X." Obviously that won't work anymore.  Not only are the titles "Mister" and "Miss" obsolete (sexist, etc.), but the world is less formal now.  But I don't want to call you by your first name either.  Strangers who call me "Michael" always make me uneasy: I wonder what they're selling"(Orth 1).

As a whole the male faculty was more comfortable with nicknames, but in the same sense they preferred "Dr." or "Professor." "I like the title of professor rather than say doctor because it is a term of respect without being too formal. I also don't mind students calling me by my nickname if they have had me for several quarters and know me well." There seems to be a desire of professors to be more informal, and yet in order to maintain power in the classroom relationship faculty must demand this formality. "Although I would like to be on a first name basis with students, I think that we need to foster a professional atmosphere in the classroom. Although not all students who call professors by their first name are unprofessional, I think it is much more appropriate to be a little more formal in the classroom."

Another aspect addressed was gender issues within titles, respect, and formality. "I suspect that sometimes women faculty have to insist a bit more on formality in relations with students than their male colleagues do, simply because some students are less used to having women in a position of authority." The interesting part about this statement is that according to the results men requested more formality than the women did. Women did not request being called by a nickname as much as the men did, but their answers were widely spread and equal between first name, Dr., Professor, and Mrs.

Age was a factor in how some professors preferred to be called as well. "In part because I am young, students tend to see me as a friend rather than as a professor. I prefer to be called "Dr." or "Professor" because I think that it ensures a higher level of respect from students." Three of the four that answered that liked a nickname were English Professors of higher rank and age. This shows that the younger faculty require a higher form of address in order to gain respect in the classroom. Moreover the same younger faculty felt they should keep this formality both in and out of the classroom.

Faculty members want respect and formal titles are the only way for them to maintain this professional atmosphere. Many showed interest in a closer relationship with students where they could be on a first name basis, but all agreed that this is not possible. The problem lies in the fact that the English faculty all have different opinions of what is formal or proper. "...I try to be very accessible in the classroom -- more of a supportive coach than a directive instructor."

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