How hard is it to get that when you go to a school you agree to their rules? Yes, even if they change. Your choice as a consumer is to go to a different school. Openly not paying attention to an instructor is rude to both the instructor and the students who are there to learn. Why? Easy: you distract the instructor, cause a disruption to the flow of the class, the instructor has to gather thoughts and the students have to wait for instructor to get back on track. No one gives a shit how much you think you paid to prove you're too smart to have to pay attention in class. Leave the room if you're that addicted to your phone.

On a funny note, I had a student in class once who accidentally left their phone on and was appalled when it rang. I jokingly said I should get to answer it -- she was so apologetic she practically shoved it at me, so I had a funny, short conversation with her friend and a really fun rest of the class. Not all of today's students are entitled a-holes, which is really good reason to try to keep those who are from ruining their experience.