[pbowyer]

I went to university in the UK 20 years ago.

A few of our lecturers had "office hours". It was a new phrase, and invariably they were younger and had worked in US universities. We could drop in between 3 and 5 one day a week to ask questions.

We thought them snooty.

The other faculty staff had an open door policy.

Now I'm their age, I appreciate how sticking to office hours helped these researchers to be productive. But as a student, open door flet more friendly.

[c17r]

In my experience, US professors generally were open door as well but it was about catching them being in their office. They could be lecturing, faculty meeting, lunch, etc, etc, etc.

Office Hours is a way of saying I will DEFINITELY be in my office at my desk during this block of time.