We are discussing requiring ALL students to attend EVERY class, so it isn't a question of whether one student doesn't know the material, and thus will get value from attending. It is a question of whether any students do know the material, and the the class is a time (and thus money) drain for no good reason. So, to answer your question... No one said that any of the students knew the material before attending the class. Why? Because it is a self evident truth that there will be some people that know the material before entering the class. I know I have personally had that experience, and have seen other students that not only know the material, but were more familiar with the material than the teacher.

No, you are talking about using up a resource for no purpose so that you can feel like you got your money's worth. If you already know the material, listening to a professor repeat information that you already know is not getting anything of value out of the professor. Sitting in class sessions that you already know to get value out of the professor makes as much sense as buying extra stuff so that you can fill your garbage can to the brim so that you can get value out of the garbage company. Using a service, and getting value out of it are two totally different things.

Great, so you agree that you were wrong, and he does not have something better to do with his life.

Wow is right. I don't know if you are an arrogant asshole professor, or some kind of toadie. Either way, that class mentality is part of the problem with education. There are plenty of people in this world that do things for 30 years. So, yes. Professors are just like the rest of the population.

The only reason I would refrain from telling a professor that is if they were in a position to abuse their authority by giving me a bad grade or failing me because I didn't bow to their highly unethical behavior.

Yes, a freshman IS supposed to call the shots concerning his education. The claim that a normally functioning adult calling the shots on their own education and knowing what is best for themselves is dreams of grandeur, can only mean that you don't know what that term means.

I agree with you that sitting in a class that has no merit is not educational and is worthless.

Whether the professors time costs money or not does not make sitting through a class on subject matter you already know valuable.

As with many products in the world, you often buy a package that includes more than you need. This reduces the cost by allowing greater efficiency in producing the product.

Sometimes this means that there is that one bottle of lemon ice tea that you hate in the case of Snapple that you buy. Sometimes that means that there is liver at the buffet where you are eating. Sometimes that means that the road two block over, you never drive on.

Claiming that attendance in a class that you don't need should be required so that you "get your money's worth", is just as logical as claiming that driving on every road in town should be required so that you "get your money's worth".

No he doesn't. Earning a living is clearly the best use of his time. If it wasn't, then he wouldn't be their. No, doubt, university professors are like the rest of the population, and would like to not have to show up to work. But just like a telephone does not offer value every second that it is available for use, neither does a classroom.

And just like the telephone operator needs to show up to work so that they are there IF you need them, so does the professor.