But ask any student on campus—even incoming freshman—and they’ll tell you that she’s the “dating doctor.” For the past eight years, Cronin’s been setting students up through her dating assignment—an extra credit project, recently covered in, that requires students to accomplish a seemingly simple task: Ask someone out and go on a real-life date. ] The idea came out of a question—“How are you going to handle your relationships after graduation?

”—she posed to a group of 15 students back in 2005.

That sounds like a crazy reason to forgo free points until you think about what most of us do all day: stare at computers, phones, and televisions—not people. If someone “swipes” your photo to the right (and you do the same), you’re notified that you could be a match for each other.

Today’s technology allows us to operate with anonymity. RELATED: 40 Free Date Ideas You’ll Both Love The catch: “You never hear of the people who like you.” Thus, you avoid every single does-he-or-doesn’t-he-like-me awkward encounter you could possibly anticipate.

The students looked at her like she didn’t know what she was talking about.

The sad reality is that no matter how much I love my job and my colleagues, this existence is not sustainable.

As a member of the faculty and through their influence with other faculty (who may teach the student), the professor holds power over the student.

Many schools look down on professor/student dating because of these reasons.

Their lectures are designed to both inform and engage, inviting students to participate in the conversation and/or debate.

College professors are leaders, exhibiting confidence and authority in the classroom, lecture hall and office.