Transcript The Course Syllabus - University of Kentucky Graduate School

Graduate School Orientation for New TA’s
August 13, 2012
Sonja Feist-Price, Ph.D.
Academic Ombud
Today’s discussion
 Brief Overview of Academic Ombud Services
 Academic Integrity
 The Syllabus
What does the Academic Ombud Do?
 Works with all persons engaged in teaching & learning
activities of the university
 Provides a safe, neutral, and confidential setting for
questions, discussing problems & seek assistance w/
academic issues
 Explains university policies, procedures and its
application
 Investigates student grievances and complaints
 Recommend changes in policies and procedures to better
ensure fairness in teaching
Problems Handled by the Academic
Ombud Office:
 Grade Disputes
 Admission/Registration Problems
 Disciplinary Matters
 Perceived Favoritism
 Fear of Retaliation
 Changes of & Sanctions from Academic Offenses
 Work collaboratively with the Dean of Student
Services, Disability Resource Center, Office of
Instructional Equity and Equal Opportunity
Academic Integrity
 Essential to the University and to society.
 Share your perspective with your students.
 Students commit academic offenses due to:
 Pressure
 “Because they can”
 Lack of knowledge
Procedures for Academic Offenses
 Discretely collect evidence.
 Consult with course director or dept. chair.
 Consult rules, Office of Academic Ombud.
 Meet with student and the dept. chair.
 Record the meeting for everyone’s benefit.
 Hear the student’s perspective.
 Notify the student of her/his right to appeal.
 Notify the student that the Ombud will assist.
 Determine nature of offense and penalty, if any.
 Notify student of the penalty imposed with copies to the
Ombud.
Academic Rights of Students
University Senate Rule 6.1.0
Syllabus
 6.1.1 Information about Course Content
 6.1.2 Contrary Opinion
 6.1.3 Academic Evaluation
 6.1.4 Academic Records
 6.1.5 Evaluation of Student Character and Ability
 6.1.6 Student Participation in Academic Affairs
 6.1.7 Attendance and Participation During Appeal
Avoiding Academic Headaches
 Clarify expectations!
 The Syllabus may be your best tool
 Identify academic offenses & the penalty
The Course Syllabus
 University Senate Syllabus Guidelines found at:
http://www.uky.edu/Ombud/Senate%20Syllabi%20Guidelines.pdf
University Senate Syllabi Guidelines
Four (4) Core Areas
 General Course Information
 Instructor contact Information
 Course Description
 Course Policies
Syllabus as Contract
 Establishes expectations of students, instructor,
department, college & university
 Is explicit and complete
 Avoids vague, ambiguous statements.
 Available at no charge
 Available at beginning of semester
 http://www.uky.edu/Ombud/reminder_syllabus.php
Course Information
 Course ID (prefix, course number, section number
 Name
 Location(s) and meeting time(s) including common
exams.
Instructor Information
 Name
 Contact Information
 (Office, Office phone,E-mail)
 Instructors should be reasonably available for
consultation outside of class.
 Office Hours, Locations
 Policies regarding appointments
 Alternate contact options (department phone number)
Course Descriptions
 Should match the UK Bulletin
 Provides “reasonably detailed overview”
 Identifies components of grade and their relative
weight; clarifies expectations for assignments; relation
of scores to letter grade
 Provides timeline, including due dates for major
assignments
 Provides time, date and nature of final exam
Grading Policy
 Letter Grades
 How are these related to final grade?
 Curving Grades
 How is the curve established?
 Midterm evaluation
 What assignments are included?
 What percentage of the final grade is determined by
midterm?
Dead Week
 Intent is to avoid undue hardship on students just
before finals.
 No quizzes or major exams (except labs and makeups).
 If there is a final, no major projects can be due.
 Attendance and Participation may be graded.
 Regularly assigned homework, identified in the
syllabus may be assigned during dead week.
Course Policies
 Clarify policies and sanctions for violations
 Attendance, including late arrival or early departure
 Excused absence policy; refer to University policy and
specific course policy.
 Requirements for make-ups (may not be punitive)
 Requirements for proof of excuse
 Rules of Behavior
Policies, Con’t
 Process for submitting assignments
 Format, deadlines (by date of, by class period, by time
during class)
 Academic Integrity reminders
 Group work and collaboration guidelines
 Disability Resources
Syllabus Repair 101
 Oops! The final is not really on Sunday.
 The whole class wants a delay in the due date.
 Grading algorithm unintentionally guarantees A’s to
everyone.
 Student says “The syllabus didn’t say I had to do that.”
 You are not at war with the student. Your goal is to
provide fair and just evaluation for all students.
 Remind them of their right to see the Ombud.
Questions: Visit us in 109 Bradley Hall