BC Faculty Manual

Faculty Teaching Handbook 2012-13

Student Disruptions

If a student disrupts your class, you may ask him or her to leave your classroom. (Security should be called if you feel that you or the other students are threatened.) You may not keep a student from attending your class, however, without due process. You should talk to your Chair or Dean about any problems, and please also report serious student behavior problems to Dr. Rodney Carr, Vice President for Student Affairs. Remember, too, that as a professional, you are expected to respect all students--even those who are disrespectful. Often, kindness will diffuse even the most difficult of situations. Sarcasm and anger will escalate them.

Student Dishonesty

Bainbridge College is an institution committed to academic integrity, honesty, ethical behavior, and responsibility, regardless of circumstances. We believe in building a community of trust and fairness, where students are rewarded for their efforts and talents. A commitment to academic integrity is primary in the fostering of such an environment. Please read our policy on academic integrity and include this statement on your syllabus.

Any instance of academic dishonesty will result in failure of the assignment and, depending upon the importance of the assignment and the egregiousness of the instance, may result in failure of the course and the assignment of an “FX” (failure due to academic dishonesty) to the student’s record. The instructor will determine the nature of the infraction; however, the student has the right to appeal any infraction affecting his/her standing in the course through the appeals process, described in the Student Handbook.

Classroom Contract

A classroom contract is a great way to help students understand the importance of attendance and your class. A sample contract is below and also here as a Word document. Your contract could also specify the consequences for cheating or your expectations in other areas specific to your class.

A PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT FOR FIFTEEN WEEKS TOGETHER between
(Student’s name here) and (Instructor’s name here)

Welcome to (name of course) _______________________________________.

Counting today, we will be spending fifteen weeks together for ____ minutes (200 for a 4-hour class or 150 minutes for a 3-hour class; 100 for 4-hour web-enhanced and 75 minutes for 3-hour web-enhanced) every week. To show your commitment to the course, you are asked to read and sign the following contract. Here are the terms of the contract.

MY ROLE IN THE CONTRACT My role will be to help you master ___________. This course will be concerned directly with helping you learn and strengthen the _______________ skills that will be vital for job success in the twenty-first century.

YOUR ROLE IN THE CONTRACT Your role in this contract will be to come to every class ON TIME and to give a full effort. Much of the value and meaning of this course will come from what happens in class, so you must be here on a steady basis. Imagine trying to learn another skill without being present: for example, imagine learning how to drive without the experience of actually being in the car and working with the controls and getting feedback from your instructor. How much would you learn about the skill of driving if you relied only on the notes of a classmate? In a similar way, to really learn ___________, you need direct experience and practice. So if you miss classes, then, you are in effect missing the course. Some people start college with a “minimalist mindset.” They are passive; they do the minimum they need to get by; their attention is elsewhere; they are like the living dead. Gradually these people realize that they don’t have to be in college, and they are no longer part of the sad game played out in many high schools, where they receive a free ride and promotion no matter how little they do. If your attitude about learning has been hurt by what happened in high school or anywhere else, then part of your role is to change your attitude. You can do so, and this contract will help.

You should try not to miss any classes. But in the professional environment of this class, like in the work world, everyone is entitled to a set number of sick days as well as personal days. In this course, you will have a total of _____ such days—which can cover such real-world happenings as sickness, car breakdowns, or even the death of someone you know. If you missed more than this amount of time in a real-world job contract, you would be let go. (Only in some extraordinary situation, such as an extended illness confirmed by a doctor’s report, might an exception apply.) The professional terms of the work world will apply here: if you miss more than _____ classes, you CANNOT pass the course. In addition, if you miss NO classes, you will be rewarded. If you are present and on time for every class, your final grade in the class will be increased by _____ (one letter grade or a set number of points).

If you do miss a class, you are responsible for getting the assignments for the following class. To do so, call a classmate. Write down the names and phone numbers of two people in the room. (For now, use the people sitting on either side of you; you can always change these names later.)
Classmate # 1: Name _____________________ Phone _________________
Classmate # 2: Name _____________________ Phone _________________

Note that you must turn in all assignments or you cannot pass the course. If a quiz or test is given on a day you miss class, you cannot ordinarily make them up. Instead, you will receive a grade of M (Missing) for each missed quiz or test. When all your grades are averaged at the end of the semester, two M’s will be omitted; the rest will convert to zeros.

I’ve read this contract, and the terms seem fair to me. (I like the fact that this college class is being treated as a professional situation, and I’m learning the ground rules up front.) I accept the responsibility and the challenge to make this course worth my time and money.

Signed by _______________________________ (student name here)
Date _______________________________
My signature: ____________________________ (include it before you copy the contracts)

Office of Academic Affairs
Dr. Tonya Strickland, VPAA
229.248.2514
tstrickland@bainbridge.edu