To help students succeed in our courses, the Writing & Rhetoric Program has set policies designed to foster sustained and productive engagement. These policies are carefully outlined in the syllabus.

Some policies have a direct impact on grades if not adhered to. Please read the policies in full and sign this pledge to show you understand the course expectations, and acknowledge the implications.

 

Attendance Policy

Note: Faculty will make efforts to reasonably accommodate students with serious illness and coronavirus-related quarantine/isolation, and related issues. “Reasonable” accommodations are at the discretion of the instructor but can include:

  • WebExing students into class
  • Opportunities for students to catch up on classwork
  • Extensions on assignments/discussion board entries

*Please note students must be actively involved in communications for these accommodations and respect the negotiated deadlines to receive credit for missed work.

Students who miss seven classes beyond the two allowed for illness/emergencies, and students who miss major assignments should speak to their advisor about withdrawal from the course.

The Writing & Rhetoric Program has a VERY STRICT attendance policy:

Students are expected to attend every class; however, we do allow for two absences without consequence to cover illness and emergencies.

Instructors will take attendance at the beginning of each class session. This roster is taken diligently, it is accurate and incontestable. Students who are not in the classroom when the roster is called are marked absent. If the student is LATE it is their responsibility to inform the professor AFTER the class and make sure they are signed in (tardy are monitored). If students do have to miss class, they should notify the instructor in advance via email whenever possible. This is to allow students to better prepare for the next class and make alternate arrangements for missed or late work as needed.

Exceptions:

  • Death &/or funeral in the family
  • Religious observances. Students need to notify instructors in advance via email if they choose to participate in observances in order to avoid being marked absent
  • Athletes: away games/matches, conferences etc. Athletes must bring official documentation to the instructor’s attention in advance.

Two absences in a three or two session/week course are acceptable without consequence. HOWEVER, missing more than those two classes will reduce the final grade in the class by 1/3 of a letter grade per absence through six absences as follows:

Three absences will reduce the final grade by a third of a grade point

Example: B+ will be reduced to a B

Four absences will reduce the final grade by half a grade point

Example: B+ will be reduced to a B-

Five absences will reduce the final grade by a full grade point

Example: B+ will be reduced to a C+

Six absences will reduce the final grade by one and a third grade points

Example: B+ will be reduced to a C

Seven or more absences results in an AUTOMATIC FAILING GRADE

Tardy: Three tardy constitute one absence. Tardy is defined as arriving after the instructor has taken attendance based on the roster and begun class. Students are responsible for making sure they are marked present after the class has ended. Students arriving more than 15 mins late will earn an absent unless there were legitimate circumstances.

If there are long-term situations resulting in prolonged absences, the instructor will address them on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Writing & Rhetoric Program Coordinator. It is the student’s responsibility to provide any necessary supporting documentation or other evidence of extenuating circumstances. Students may request a generic note from their healthcare provider to acknowledge a sickness or issue without a statement of diagnosis, which includes the number of days recommended for recovery.

 

Participation Policy

Students are expected to be mentally present and engaged during class; those who are asleep, on devices unrelated to coursework, etc. may be marked absent for the day.

 

Assignments

To pass the course all of the following must be completed:

  • All main writing assignments
  • All relevant coursework
  • Oral presentation
  • Information Literacy (Library component)
  • e-Portfolio (students must have earned a minimum of D in the course to be eligible for e-Portfolio review)

Assignments are expected by the due date

*Please read and respect your instructor’s policies on late assignments

Notes

*There are no S/U or grade replacement options for our courses

 

Incomplete Grade Application: Eligibility for application

  • For extenuating circumstances only
  • 70% of coursework already completed
  • Consultation with instructor
  • Last day to apply: December 5

 

Student’s full name: Alexis Tomah

Signature: Alexis Tomah 

Date: 09/07/23