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Use the following links to find answers to the FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions). If you cannot find the answer to your question here, ask me. |
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Academic Honor Policy
Q: Do you follow the university's Academic Honor Policy?
A: Yes. See www.famu.edu for the details of this policy.
Attendance
Q: I didn’t show up for the first week (or so).
What should I do?
A: You will need to contact me as soon as possible in person during my office
hours to get the syllabus and any other material for the course.
Q: I didn’t show up for the first week (or so)
and missed some work. Do I get to makeup the work I missed?
A: If you can provide legitimate, documented excuses for your lack of attendance
you will be permitted to make up missed exams. There are no make-ups for quizzes
and assignments.
Q: I didn’t show up for the first week (or so)
and I noticed that there is a paper due soon or there is a test soon. Do I get
an extension on the due date or test date?
A: If you can provide legitimate, documented excuses for your lack of attendance
you will be given a reasonable extension at my discretion. In no case will a
granted extension affect the rest of the due dates. For example, if a student
gets a three day extension on the first paper or test, she does not get three
extra days for the other papers or tests.
Q: Can my lack of attendance hurt my grade?
A: Yes. While there is no grade category for attendance, missing classes can
result in missing class work that can result in a lower grade. You will also
be missing out on a main part of the learning process which can also harm your
grade.
Q: I know in advance that I will be missing a large number
of classes. What should I do?
A: You must contact me as soon as possible in person during my office hours
or by email. If you have legitimate excuses you might qualify for make up work
or extensions on specific papers. If you have legitimate excuses it might be
possible to develop a special coursework schedule for you. If you legitimately
qualify for an incomplete then you may request one. Depending on the circumstances
you might wish to drop the course.
Q: I missed a large number of classes and I did not contact
you. What should I do?
A: You must contact me as soon as possible in person during my office hours
or by email. If you have legitimate excuses for missing the classes and not
contacting me, then you might qualify for make up work or extensions on specific
papers. If you legitimately qualify for an incomplete then you may request one.
Q: I missed most or all the classes and the semester
is almost over or over. I’m failing. What can I do?
A: If you legitimately qualify for an incomplete or a retroactive withdrawal
then you may request one. If not, then you will receive the grade you earned.
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Class Room Changes
Q: I came to class and there was no one there or there was another class there. What happened? What do I do?
A: Assuming you went to the right room at the right time, the room was changed by the Registrar or another university official. This has started to happen fairly often. In terms of what to do: First, look for a sign listing the new room or, if there is another class there, ask the instructor. Second, check my office door or the index to this site for the new room. Third, call me during my office hours or email me. It is your responsibility to determine the new location of the class.
Q: The class room was changed and I didn't know about it so I missed a test/quiz/assignment or did not turn in my paper. What happens?
A: That depends. For quizzes and assignments the "make-ups" are built in to the class-hence there is no special make-up for them. If the test date was the first class in the new room, you have until my next office hours to make it up. For example, if the test was Wednesday night and I had office hours Thursday, you would need to take the test then. You can, of course, use the Mercy to change the absence into an "excused" absence (see the Mercy FAQs). If a paper was due in the first class in the new room, you have until my next office hours to turn the paper in without a late penalty. For example, if the paper was due at 3:25 and I had office hours from 4:35 to 5:30 that day, you would need to turn in the paper to me by 5:30 to avoid a late penalty.
Q: Shouldn't I have until the next class to turn in the paper or take the test? After all, I didn't know the location of the new room.
A: No. You know (or should know) my office location and office hours.
Q: What happens if I miss the class in which the room change was announced and don't find out about the change until after the class has met in the new room? Do I get to make up work, turn papers in later, etc.?
A: No. You are responsible for what happens in class even if you miss the class. If you miss a class, you should always check with me or any other professor to learn what happened in class.
Q: What happens if I miss the class in which the room change was announced, but I have a proper excuse (as per the syllabus)?
A: The excuse would apply to the dates missed and the "first class in the new room" would be considered the class right after your last excuse. For example: Bill is taking a MWF class and misses class on Friday and Monday because of a championship track meet. During class on Friday the room change is announced. For Bill, the "first class in the new room" would be Wednesday.
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Compliance
Q: Are you in compliance with the University's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy Statement?
A: Yes. See www.famu.edu for the details of this policy.
Q: Are you in compliance with the University's Non-disctimation Policy Statement?
A: Yes. See www.famu.edu for the details of this policy.
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Enrollment
Q: Who is responsible for knowing about my enrollment
in the class?
A: While I am provided with a list of students and will make that information
available in class, it is your responsibility to know whether you are enrolled
or not.
Q: I thought I was enrolled in the class, but it turns
out that I was not. What can I do?
A: You will have to enroll in the class the next time it is offered.
Q: Can I take the class one semester without enrolling
and have you turn in a grade when I actually enroll?
A: No. To receive a grade in a class you must be enrolled in the semester during
which the class takes (or took) place.
Q: I enrolled in another class but I ended up attending
yours instead. What will happen?
A: Unless you are able to legitimately enroll in my class, you will not receive
a grade from me. What the other professor does is his/her business.
Q: I thought I dropped your class but it turns out that
I did not. What happens?
A: It depends. If you realize the error too late (after the semester ends, for
example) you can try to retroactively withdraw. If you cannot, then you will
most likely receive a failing grade. If you realize the error in time and have
legitimate excuses, then you might qualify for make up work or extensions on
specific papers. If you legitimately qualify for an incomplete then you may
request one. In either case you need to contact me as soon as possible in person
during my office hours or by e-mail.
Q: I enrolled in the class but I could not pay my fees.
I do plan on being reinstated. What should I do?
A: Do not simply "vanish." Contact me as soon as possible in person
during my office hours or by e-mail. In most cases a schedule can be worked
out that will enable you to complete the course work during the semester.
Q: I enrolled in the class but didn't pay my fees. I
stopped coming to class and stopped doing the work without contacting you. It
is the end of the semester (or later) and I have just been reinstated. What
can I do?
A: Unless there are extenuating circumstances, nothing. You will receive the
grade you earned during the semester.
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Excuses, Make Ups and Extensions
Q: Do you accept photocopies of group excuses, such as
those for teams and band?
A: Yes, provided the excuses are otherwise legitimate. Group excuses are typically
provided in the form of photocopies, so I am willing to accept them.
Q: Do you accept photocopies of individual excuses?
A: No. Group excuses are typically easy to verify (by calling the coach, for
example) while individual excuses are often difficult to verify. More importantly,
it has been established that some students photocopy excuses and change the
names and dates.
Q: Since you do not accept photocopies, what do I do
if I need the excuse for other classes?
A: Show me the excuse and make sure that I make note of it. Except in unusual
circumstance I do not need to keep excuses.
Q: I’m a busy person with my own schedule. Do you
make special appointments for make-ups?
A: No. I’m also a busy person with my own schedule-and I’m not the
one who needs the make-up. Also, I found that people tend not to show up for
their special appointments.
Q: Why do I need to provide an excuse? Don't you trust your students?
A: Trust is built over a long period of time and through relevant shared experiences, so unless I have known you for years, then trust has not been established. As such, official excuses are needed to provide confirmation of claims. If a student has missed class for a legitimate reason, then there will almost always be an official excuse available. As such, the lack of ability to get an official excuse is primae facie evidence that the claim being made is somewhat less than true.
Q: What if I do not have an excuse and miss an exam or something?
A: You can use your Mercy (see below).
Q: Do you give extensions on papers?
A: In very dire circumstances, such as overseas military service, debilitating injury or illness and so on. Extensions are only granted if arrangements are made in advance (if possible-exceptions are made in cases where such arrangements are not possible, such as sudden illness or accident) and proper documentation is provided. Wanting more time to get a better grade is not a dire circumstance. Vague, undocumented "problems" or "issues" are also not considered dire circumstances.
Grades
Q: I am a graduating senior and I need to pass your class.
Does this give you a reason to give me a passing grade?
A: No. It gives you a reason to take the required effort to pass the course.
Q: I need a particular grade in your class to keep my
scholarship. Does this give you a reason to give me the grade I need?
A: No. It gives you a reason to take the required effort to receive the desired
grade.
Q: My parents/guardians will be very mad if I fail your
class. Does this give you a reason to give me a passing grade?
A: No. It gives you a reason to take the required effort to pass the course.
Q: My parents/guardians promised me a reward/gift if
I pass your class. Does this give you a reason to give me a passing grade?
A: No. It gives you a reason to take the required effort to pass the course.
Q: Will you "cut deals" with students for better
grades?
A: No.
Q: Can I do extra credit to get a better grade?
A: No. You should instead use the time and effort on the normal class work.
Q: Can I discuss my grade during class?
A: No. Class time belongs to the whole class. Individual matters are dealt with
during my office hours.
Q: If I fail a class one semester than take it again
later, can I "carry over" the work I did in the earlier semester?
A: No.
Grade Entry Errors, Lost Work and Other Professor Errors
Q: If I think you have made a mistake in recording a
grade or grades, what should I do?
A: Bring the graded work to me ASAP and I will correct it.
Q: I think you made a mistake in recording a grade or
grades but I don't have the work in question. What do I do?
A: Check with me ASAP. If I have the grade recorded on paper (or if I still
have the work because you didn't pick it up) I will correct it in the grading
program. If there is no evidence of an error on my part, the grade will not
be altered. This is why it is important to always pick up and keep your work.
Q: If you make a mistake in entering grades and give
me a higher grade than I actually earned, am I entitled to that grade? What
if I have made plans (such as not going to class anymore or not taking the final)
based on that error?
A: You are only entitled to the grade you earned. If the mistake is caught,
it will be corrected at that time. You are responsible for knowing your actual
grades (by picking up your work) hence you should not make such drastic plans
until you are certain that your grades are correct.
Q: Since you admit that you are capable of making mistakes
can't I just claim that you lost my work, failed to enter the grade properly
or failed to enter the grade at all and get a grade?
A: No. While I am capable of error, the burden of proof rests on the student.
This is why you are required to pick up your work.
Q: What happens if you lose my work? Since it is lost
how would I prove I did it?
A: I've never actually lost a student's work, but if I lose a test, assignment
or quiz you will be permitted to make up the work in a timely manner. If I lose
a paper, you will be permitted to turn in the paper again in a timely manner
(this is specified in the paper rules). I count all work before leaving the
room and place the work in a suitable container. In the case of papers and tests
I mark the grade sheet as well. If my initial count doesn't match the number
of grades entered, then I must have lost something. In such a case the claim
of loss would be accepted. If there are more people claiming to be victims than
there are actually lost works, then the situation will need to be resolved through
discussion. In the case of papers and tests, if your name is marked by me and
I have no grade, then that would be proof the work was lost. If you are worried
about me losing your work, simply turn the work in directly to me and ask me
to mark the grade sheet. If you are extremely afraid that I will lose your work,
you can request a receipt.
Office Hours
Q: I’m a busy person with my own schedule. Do you make special appointments
for extra office hours?
A: No. I’m also a busy person with my own schedule. I've also found that
people rarely show up for special office hours.
Professor Absence
Q: I went to class, but you were not there. What do I do?
A: Contact the department office (413 Tucker Hall, 599-3831), call my office, email me, check the web site, and check the classroom or my office door for a sign. If I know I will miss class, I will announce it well in advance and post a sign on my office door. If I am very sick or badly injured (as happened when I tore my quadricepts tendon in Spring 2009) signs will be posted at the classrooms, someone from my department will make an announcement at the start of my classes, and I will email everyone via IRattler/OurFAMU.
Q: Do you ever just skip class?
A: No. If I am absent, then either I am at some professional function or something very bad has happened (such as my ending up in surgery to have my quadriceps tendon re-attached).
Q: What happens if you are absent for an extended period of time? Do I get a vacation from the class and from any work that is due?
A: I will (and have) arrange for the classes to continue on line. MP3 recordings of the lectures (and possibly videos)will be created and provided on the web. Quizzes and assignments will be given and collected via the web. Any papers due will be turned in via email. If need be, exams will also be given via the web. Such online work will still have due dates (and deadlines for papers) so it will be important to keep up with things.
Q: You were absent from classes and I sort of missed the announcement, email, web posting, signs, and had no contact with other students in the class. I also sort of forgot to try to email you or call the department office. Does this mean I get a special extension on all the work that I was supposed to be doing during your absence?
A: No. Since I take extensive efforts to contact everyone and you are responsible to know what happens in class (even when it does not physically meet) I do not accept such professed ignorance as an excuse.
Q: What if I am absent while you are absent? Do I get make ups and/or an extension?
A: The usual policies apply. For example, if you miss an online quiz, then there is no make-up. As another example, if you miss the online exam window because you were hit by a bus, then you get a make-up.
Special Circumstances
Q: I have special circumstances that affect my ability to attend class and complete the work. What will you do?
A: If these circumstances are both legitimate and properly documented, then all required accomodations will be made.
Q: When should I tell you abour my special circumstances?
A: At the start of the semester or when they arise.
Q: What happens if I tell you about my "special circumstances" at the end of the semester, perhaps after I find I am failing the class?
A: You would need to provide official documentation for these circumstances as well as an adequate justification for why you failed to inform me in a timely manner. Failure to do so would, of course, mean that no accomodations are made.
Assignments
Q: When is an assignment actually late?
A: I'll accept an assignment up until I've actually started giving the answers
or the class in which it is due ends, which ever comes first.
Q: What happens if I turn in an assignment late?
A: You receive no credit. Unless 1) You turn the assignment in as soon as your
arrive in class and 2)The assignment is typed/computer printed and 3)you are
no more than ten minutes late and 4)you have a legitimate reason for being late.
Q: Why can't I get credit for late assignments without
typing them, etc.?
A: Because I can't tell whether a late assignment was done honestly or whether
a student just waited for the answers and then turned the assignment in.
Q: Can I e-mail you assignments?
A: No, except in special circumstances and only with prior arrangements.
Q: What are "special circumstances"?
A: These are situations in which a student can do the work but is physically
incapable of attending class because of a long term and debilitating injury/illness,
military service or similar dire and serious circumstances. Having the flu,
not being able to get a ride to class and so on are not "special circumstances."
Q: Can I make up assignments?
A: Normally, no. I give at least 15 (usually 20) and only count the best 10.
Hence, the "make-ups" are built into the class. If you do not have
10 assignments because of legitimate, documented absences, then you might be
entitled to make up some assignments.
Q: Can I pass the class without doing any assignments?
A: Theoretically, yes.
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Quizzes
Q: What are the quizzes like?
A: With a few exceptions the quizzes consist of five true/false questions.
Q: Can I make up quizzes?
A: Normally, no. I give at least 15 and only count the best 10. Hence, the "make-ups"
are built into the class. If you do not have 10 quizzes because of legitimate,
documented absences, then you might be entitled to make up some assignments.
Q: What is the purpose of the Mercy?
A: The Mercy is intended to give each student a break for those situations in
which they miss a class or turn a paper in late but do not have an official
excuse. Rather than having to listen to various (undocumented) tales of woe,
I decided to implement the Mercy policy.
Q: How many Mercies do I get?
A: One per course.
Q: What happens if I use my Mercy but miss more classes
without having a legitimate excuse?
A: The absences will be unexcused.
Q: Can I use my Mercy to break the deadline rule?
A: Yes. You can use your Mercy to turn in a paper one day after the deadline without penalty. The paper must be turned in by the end of my next office hours after the paper deadline. For example, if the deadline was Tuesday and my office hours end at 3:45 on Wednesday, then the paper must be turned in by then. As another example, if the paper was due Monday and my next office hours end at 2:20 on Wednesday, then the paper must be turned in by then. Failure to do so will result in a grade of zero on that paper. If you did a draft, then the draft grade will still count.
Q: If I use my Mercy, can I “take it back”
so I can use it for something else?
A: No. The Mercy is like life-you only get one so use it wisely.
Q: How do I use my Mercy as an excuse?
A: If you are taking a makeup test, simply inform me that you are using your
Mercy. If you are using the Mercy as an excuse for a paper, then either inform
me in person or include a note with the paper when you turn it in.
Q: Can I transfer my Mercy to another student?
A: No.
Q: Can I save a Mercy from one course to use in another?
A: No.
Q: How do I use my Mercy as a quiz grade?
A: If your Mercy is unused I will automatically count it as a quiz grade.
Q: If used as an excuse, how much time does a Mercy cover?
A: One calendar day.
Q: What happens if I "accidentally" try to
use my Mercy more than once?
A: The first use will be the one that is applied. Second and subsequent uses will not be applied.
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Q: What is the difference between a due date and deadline?
A: A paper can be turned in after the due date with a late penalty. Papers are not accepted after the deadline-any paper not done by the deadline would receive a grade of zero.
Q: Is there a penalty for turning in a paper after a due date?
A: Yes. The penalty is -5 points for every twelve hours or fraction thereof.
This includes weekends and holidays. This can be offset by esxcused absences and by the Mercy.
Q: Is there a penalty for turning a paper in after the deadline?
A: Papers are not accepted after the deadline. Such papers receive a grade of zero. The exception is the Mercy.
Q: So, can I use my Mercy to break the deadline rule?
A: Yes. You can use your Mercy to turn in a paper one day after the deadline without penalty. The paper must be turned in by the end of my next office hours after the paper deadline. For example, if the deadline was Tuesday and my office hours end at 3:45 on Wednesday, then the paper must be turned in by then. As another example, if the paper was due Monday and my next office hours end at 2:20 on Wednesday, then the paper must be turned in by then. Failure to do so will result in a grade of zero on that paper. If you did a draft, then the draft grade will still count.
Q: What happens if I do a draft and get a grade on it but don't turn in a revision before the deadline?
A: You would keep the grade the got on the draft version.
Q: What should I do if my paper is late? Should I wait until I have my excuses? Should I wait until the next class?
A: Turn it in as soon as possible.The late penalties pile up until I receive the paper, so do not wait for the excuses or the next class. Once you have the excuses bring them to me and I will change the late penalty appropriately.
Q: What happens if I turn in a blank paper, leave out
some pages or turn in the wrong paper?
A: What you turn in will be graded. You can turn in the correct version, subject
to the usual late penalty. It is your responsibility to check your paper before
turning it in.
Q: Why would I get a late penalty for turning in a blank
paper, etc? Shouldn't I be allowed to turn in the correct version without any
penalty?
A: I have no way of distinguishing between honest mistakes and clever attempts
to avoid a late penalty by turning in the "wrong" paper.
Q: Can I pass the class without doing any papers?
A: Not a Gordon Rule class.
Q: What happens if I turn in a paper for for the first time after your last
office hours of the semester?
A: You get a zero.
Q: What happens if I turn in a paper very similar to
another student’s?
A: Each of your will receive a zero unless one of you is able to provide proof
that the other person copied the paper without permission. Naturally, the person
who copied the paper can confess and take the zero.
Q: Suppose I copied the paper. What happens if I confess?
A: You receive a zero on the paper.
Q: Okay, suppose the other person confesses to copying my paper. What grade
do I get?
A: Whatever grade you earned.
Q: If I come in to discuss my paper grade and think I deserve a better grade, why do I have to make a case for this? Shouldn't you have to defend the grade you assigned?
A: The "defense" of the assigned grade lies in the comments on the paper as well as the details for the paper. Hence, the assigned grade has already been defended. Thus, it is up to you to show why the assessment needs to be revised.
Q: If I tell you that I put a lot of work into the paper, that other professors thought it was better than the grade you gave, or that I need a better grade, that my parents are angry, etc., will you change my grade?
A: No.
Q: Why do I need to sign and attach the paper checklist & comment sheet to my paper?
A: This seems to encourage some people to put a bit more effort in making sure the paper is correctly done. Plus, you will need that sheet in order to know what the comments mean.
Q: What happens if I plagiarize my paper?
A: As an absolute minimum, you get a non-negotiable zero on the paper. Most cases of plagriarism involve the web, so I usually just print a copy of the web page, put the student's name on it along with a 0 and the word "plagiarized."
Q: If I plagiarize, can I negotiate? For example, will you let me re-write the paper if I seem very sad or claim I have no idea what plagiarism is?
A: No. I do not negotiate. When a student plagiarizes they know what they did, I know what they did, and hence there is nothing to discuss.
Q: Is plagiarism easy to catch?
A: Extremely easy. If a student can find a paper online, so I can I. Also, I have the advantage of having the whole paper to use in my Google search.
Q: So, I shouldn't plagiarize?
A: No. It is better to slap together anything with your own efforts than to plagiarize. Sadly, most students who plagiarize could have passed the course if they had even gotten 40-50% on the paper in question Instead, they ended up failing, lowering their GPA and wasting time and money.
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This page is copyright 1999-2009 by Dr. Michael C. LaBossiere.
This page was last updated 4/22/2009.