UNM-Los
Alamos Faculty Handbook
STUDENT-RELATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Academic Conduct | Academic Honesty | Academic Regulations | Attendance | Classroom Structure and Dynamics |
Classroom Prohibitions | Children | Presence of Animals | Confidentiality | General Examinations | Make-up Examinations |
Academic Progress/Grading Policy | Final Examinations | Course Grades
In all cases, conduct yourself and require that your students conduct themselves in a courteous and civil manner befitting the serious pursuit of higher education.
Policy
UNM–LA faculty will require that students abide by the highest standards of conduct in all academic matters, including tests, quizzes, and assignments, both in class and outside class.
Procedure
Faculty should require that no student give or receive help that prevents anyone's work from representing his own performance and should explain what plagiarism is and require that student work be free from it. Plagiarism may be briefly defined as using another's words or ideas as one's own. Guidelines appropriate for the students are as follows:
· A student may not use any one else's words without using quotation marks and acknowledging the source of those words.
· A student may not use anyone else's ideas (including from electronic sources) without acknowledging the source of those ideas.
Faculty members should include as part of the course syllabus a written statement of grading policy indicating what the consequences of academic dishonesty will be. Faculty should warn students that among the serious penalties cited in the UNM–Los Alamos Catalog and UNM–Los Alamos Handbook for dishonest academic behavior are "a reduced grade for the work in question and/or a failing grade for the course, as well as other possible disciplinary action, including dismissal from the University." The first step for either student or faculty member at UNM–LA with questions about dishonesty is to consult the UNM–LA Student Handbook. Additionally, the Dean of Instruction will work to resolve the question.
Policy
To ensure consistency in grading, faculty are expected to assign grades in accordance with the academic regulations currently in effect at UNM–Los Alamos and to make every effort to see to it that students are informed of these regulations.
Procedures
Current information on academic policies and procedures may be found in the Academic Information section of this handbook. Such topics as withdrawal from class, incomplete grades, fractionated grading, and the effect of attendance on final course grades are discussed in detail in the sections that follow. Academic regulations are also explained in detail in the current UNM–Los Alamos Catalog, which is available on-line.
Policy
Faculty should require that students attend class regularly and punctually. While many students find it necessary to miss class occasionally because of work-related commitments, they must, nevertheless, conform to the same attendance requirements as most other students. A faculty member has the right to drop any student for excessive absences. Class lists are available on-line for access at any time including during enrollment periods. Faculty will need to obtain a UNM Net ID to access class lists, drop students, and submit grades at the end of the semester. Faculty should check with the Registrar’s Office for instructions on how to access on-line class lists.
Procedures
Follow Student Academic Regulations as defined in the current UNM–Los Alamos Catalog and in section Academic Information in this handbook.
· Expect registered students to attend all meetings of their classes unless excused.
· Do not grant extensions of vacations.
· Keep a record of class attendance.
· Explain what constitutes excessive absences in course syllabi. Most faculty members use a guideline the equivalent of 2-week absence for a 3-credit-hour course or a semester basis, (and/or equivalent of 20% of class time); most faculty members treat unexcused absences severely.
· Report any student who has excessive absences to Student Services using the Early Alert forms available near the Faculty mailboxes.
· Drop any student for excessive absences (and should be noted on individual course syllabus).
· Assign students who are absent without approval from the final examination or other closing exercises of their classes a grade of F for the examination or exercise.
Military Students Information
Students who are withdrawing due to military obligations and who have or who will receive imminent orders MUST contact the UNM-Los Alamos Registrar, 505-661-4688, before withdrawing from UNM. UNM has a military withdrawal policy that provides special grade and tuition options dependent on the specific circumstances of the military situation.
Classroom Structure and Dynamics
Policy
While each faculty member has a unique style of teaching that best suits his or her own subject matter, personal preference, and gifts, certain professional practices transcend individuality and are fundamental to every successful educational experience. Each faculty member should follow these practices, which are subject to evaluation during the Class Visitation segment of the Faculty Performance Evaluation.
Practices
· Provide each student with a well-defined course syllabus or outline (see Appendix E for format).
· Provide each student with a clear statement of your grading policy.
· Go over the syllabus and grading policy with your students so that they know what is expected of them and how their grades will be determined.
· Prepare thoroughly for class meetings.
· Whether you choose to use a lecture or discussion format, focus on subject matter appropriate to the course.
· Provide regular feedback to students on their performance by evaluating and returning assignments promptly.
Faculty may find helpful the suggestions for effective class management discussed in the Faculty Support section of the handbook.
UNM–LA prohibits eating, drinking, smoking, and cell phone use in all classrooms, teaching laboratories, and the Library.
UNM–Los Alamos unfortunately does not have child care facilities on campus. UNM–LA cannot be held responsible for injury, illness, or expense thereof for children brought to the college property by parents who are attending college. Please do not allow students to bring children into the classroom.
Individuals are prohibited from having animals on campus grounds or in campus buildings (except for those needed to assist individuals with physical impairments). Anyone violating this policy is subject to disciplinary and/or legal actions.
Policy
Faculty are required by law as well as by campus policy to respect and preserve students' rights to confidentiality in academic matters. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) restricts the release of information to anyone other than the student without the student’s written permission. See the FERPA Reference Sheet for Faculty for a summary of FERPA guidelines.
Procedures
Because a student's right to confidentiality must be protected, faculty members should practice circumspection in handling and discussing student work.
· Student assignments must be handled carefully to avoid loss. Faculty may not leave student papers, exams, quizzes, etc. in any public area. Grades may not be posted either in public or on web site.
· Reasonable efforts must be made to assure that no unauthorized person has access to records of a student's performance.
· Faculty should obtain the student's written permission before discussing that student's academic matters with any unauthorized person, including the student's parent(s) if the student is 18 years of age or older.
· Faculty may not discuss a student's grade or level of performance in the presence of other students.
· Faculty who call students for conferences must make every effort to secure a meeting space in which discussion with the student may be held in private. Faculty members who share office space may wish to arrange a private meeting room by contacting the Office of Instruction staff.
· Faculty must obtain written authorization from a student in order to provide that student with a letter of recommendation and/or reference.
Policy
Student proficiency in the course content should be encouraged by means of frequent and appropriate examinations. With few exceptions, students should take in-class examinations at the scheduled examination time.
Procedures
Any faculty concerns regarding particular instances may be discussed with the Curriculum Coordinators, Associate Dean of Instruction, and/or Dean of Instruction.
Policy
Consideration of individual excuses or requests for make-up examinations are at the discretion of the individual faculty member, subject to the following considerations: exceptional and unavoidable circumstances or notification in advance that a student will be absent because of conflicts with business, travel, or hospitalization. Such reasons as personal travel or lack of preparedness are not acceptable as justification for a make-up examination.
Procedure
Plan to schedule make-ups after the scheduled test time for security reasons. Any faculty concerns regarding particular instances may be discussed with the Dean of Instruction or Office of Instruction staff. Faculty are responsible for making arrangements for administering make-up tests.
Academic Progress / Course Grading Policy
Policy
Probationary status serves as a warning to students that they are no longer in good academic standing and that they may be suspended.
Undergraduate students who have 30 or fewer attempted hours must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 1.70 to be in good standing. Thereafter, the cumulative grade point average to remain in good standing is at least 2.00.
Undergraduate students are placed on probation at the end of any semester for which their cumulative grade point average falls below these minimum requirements. Special requirements may be placed on students who are on probation.
Procedures:
· Provide a clear, written statement of grading policy on the syllabus to your students, to the Curriculum Coordinator, and to the Dean of Instruction.
· Choose a grading policy based on a recognized system of evaluation in the discipline. The significance of grades awarded in UNM courses and of fractionated grading is explained in detail in section Academic Information in this handbook.
· Evaluate student performance with consistency, making a conscious effort to avoid the uneven grading that can result from such situations as your own tiredness, haste, or sympathy for a student who has worked diligently but has not performed well.
· Evaluate, return, and discuss student assignments promptly.
· Keep students informed of their academic standing in the class.
· Notify the counselor, via the Early Alert Referral Form early in the semester, or contact Student Services at any time throughout the semester, if students fall below C level or fail to attend class so that counseling or tutoring can be arranged.
Policy
Faculty members are expected to give a final examination or final project appropriate to the course content. Final examinations will be given at the time and place scheduled by the Office of Instruction.
Procedures
Final examinations are given at the end of each course during the final examination period--the last week of the Fall and Spring semesters and usually the last class period during the Summer Session. The final examination schedule is published midway through the semester. Any requests for changes should be sent to the Office of Instruction staff. Summer Session classes continue to meet during the last week of the session with the last class meeting dedicated to the final examination.
Returning Final Examinations
Policy
Confidentiality will be maintained in reporting students' final examination and final course grades.
Procedures
Faculty will submit completed final grade sheets directly to the Registrar’s Office while maintaining a copy for their own records. In no case may students’ grades be posted. Final exams may be returned directly to students by faculty if left with the Office of Instruction for student pick up. Composition finals become the property of UNM–Albuquerque English department, which requires that they be stored on the UNM–LA campus for reference for 5 years. They may be reviewed by students through an appointment with the Curriculum Coordinator but are in no case returned to the students.
Assigning Course Grades
Policy
Grades awarded in all courses are indicative of the quality of student work done. For a more complete explanation of fractionated grading, grade interpretation, and enrollment and withdrawal regulations, see section Academic Information in this handbook.
Procedures
Grades must reflect accurately the student's command of the course content. While such elements as promptness, technique, and missing assignments may be considered at the faculty member's discretion in the awarding of a student's final course grade, such elements as student effort and progress are not appropriate for consideration.
Fractionated Grading
Effective with the fall 1988 semester, grades using plus (+) and minus (-) are authorized. See the section Academic Information for a table of allowable grades and associated grade points.
Reporting Course Grades
Policy
UNM–Los Alamos follows UNM Main Campus practices in reporting course grades.
Procedures
UNM–Los Alamos as well as the entire UNM organization utilize a web-based grade reporting system. Each faculty member (following guidelines provided by the UNM–LA Registrar) is responsible for the submission of his/her grades at the completion of each course taught each semester/session and must submit those grades by the designated deadline.
Last Updated February 11, 2010