Policies

Spring 2021 COVID-19 issues:

The university’s policy is included by reference: https://umaine.edu/citl/2020/08/17/suggested-syllabus-language-for-covid19-is-available/

My plan is to be at least as accommodating as the policy specifies and hopefully a lot more. Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is something I can do to assist in this regard.

Due dates:

All due dates and times, as announced in class, are strict, to the second. If you believe your work was delayed by truly exceptional circumstances, let me know as soon as those circumstances are known to you and I will try to make a fair allowance. However, the default is that you get a zero if you don’t turn in the work on time, and fail the class if you don’t turn it in at all (cf. Grade Components above).

Attendance:

Although I expect students to attend all class meetings, I will not be taking attendance. If you miss a class meeting, you are responsible for catching up on the lost material, including any important announcements made in class, on your own. If you have a valid reason for missing a class, let me know early and I will try to help you make up the class. There will be no make-up exams or quizzes. A missed test earns zero credit. If you have a valid reason for missing a test, let me know as early as that reason is known to you and I will make a fair allowance but there will be no make-up tests in any case.

Classroom activities:

This course is based on an active learning format, so effective classroom activities are critical to its success. Students are expected to contribute to their own learning and that of their classmates, and to devote 100% of their attention to these activities while in class. On a similar note, all electronic and other distractions (computers, phones, assorted gizmos, etc.) must be completely silenced and put away for the entire duration of the class. (Students who need any such devices for disability accommodations should follow the guidelines outlined below. Others who need any accommodation in this regard due to special circumstances should make advance arrangements with the instructor.) No food or drink is allowed in class, other than water in a spill-proof container. Students who violate these rules or otherwise cause distractions in class will be asked to leave with no warning; habitual violators will face disciplinary action.

Office hours:

All students are encouraged to make use of both the instructor’s and TA’s office hours to further their learning, obtain assistance on homework assignments, obtain feedback on their class performance, etc. However, office hours are not to be used as a substitute for attending and participating in class meetings (see above). Similarly, assistance with homework assignments will be limited to what is appropriate based on fairness to all; students are expected to demonstrate substantial effort on the assignment before seeking assistance.

Make-up classes:

I may have to reschedule a few classes due to my other professional commitments. I will make every attempt to minimize the number of such occurrences and to reschedule for a time that works for most students. Further, I will make sure no student is penalized by such occurrences.

University of Maine administrative policy statements:

[Verbatim, standard wording from https://umaine.edu/citl/teaching-resources-2/required-syllabus-information/.]

• Academic Honesty Statement: Academic honesty is very important. It is dishonest to cheat on exams, to copy term papers, to submit papers written by another person, to fake experimental results, or to copy or reword parts of books or articles into your own papers without appropriately citing the source. Students committing or aiding in any of these violations may be given failing grades for an assignment or for an entire course, at the discretion of the instructor. In addition to any academic action taken by an instructor, these violations are also subject to action under the University of Maine Student Conduct Code. The maximum possible sanction under the student conduct code is dismissal from the University.
• Students Accessibility Services Statement: If you have a disability for which you may be requesting an accommodation, please contact Student Accessibility Services, 121 East Annex, 581.2319, as early as possible in the term. Students who have already been approved for accommodations by SAS and have a current accommodation letter should meet with me (the instructor of the course) privately as soon as possible.
• Course Schedule Disclaimer (Disruption Clause): In the event of an extended disruption of normal classroom activities, the format for this course may be modified to enable its completion within its programmed time frame. In that event, you will be provided an addendum to the syllabus that will supersede this version.
• Sexual Violence Policy: Sexual Discrimination Reporting

  The University of Maine is committed to making campus a safe place for students. Because of this commitment, if you tell a teacher about an experience of sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, relationship abuse (dating violence and domestic violence), sexual misconduct or any form of gender discrimination involving members of the campus, your teacher is required to report this information to the campus Office of Sexual Assault & Violence Prevention or the Office of Equal Opportunity.

  If you want to talk in confidence to someone about an experience of sexual discrimination, please contact these resources:

  For confidential resources on campus: Counseling Center: 207-581-1392 or Cutler Health Center: at 207-581-4000.

  For confidential resources off campus: Rape Response Services: 1-800-310-0000 or Partners for Peace: 1-800-863-9909.

  Other resources: The resources listed below can offer support but may have to report the incident to others who can help:

  For support services on campus: Office of Sexual Assault & Violence Prevention: 207-581-1406, Office of Community Standards: 207-581-1409, University of Maine Police: 207-581-4040 or 911. Or see the OSAVP website for a complete list of services at http://www.umaine.edu/osavp/

© 2021 Sudarshan S. Chawathe
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