General Instructor Policies - Prof. Nancy Harris

Attendance

1. Attend class.  If you must miss class, use the web and our schedule to pick up any missed material.  You may not turn in any assignments that you missed doing for credit, but I encourage you to do all of the class activities.  See a colleague and the schedule for missed notes.  Don't apologize for missing class and don't ask if you missed "anything important".  
2. Extended absences: If you will be out of class for an extended time due to illness or family emergency (several days or more), DO let me know. You may need to document such a situation, but I will try to help you catch up the work. However, realize that this class moves quickly and covers a lot of material. Long absences may prevent you from successfully completing this course during the semester.
3. Dropping the class: If you decide not to continue the class, it is up to you to do so by the designated drop date for the semester (See the registrar's web site for applicable dates:
   

Assignments and class notes

1. Assignments: All assignments should be completed on time typically before the next class period.  Late homework will not be accepted for credit without prior permission.
2. Due Dates:  All work is due AT THE BEGINNING of class unless otherwise specified.
3. Assignment Delays: If the server is down or class is cancelled, any change in due dates will be posted on the Blackboard assignments page. Do not assume that if the server is down for a day that I will automatically change the due date. Only if it impacts the day an assignment is due will the corresponding due date be changed. Plan ahead.
   
4. Turning in work: For submission of hardcopy (paper) assignments, I will have manila folders with the assignment written on the tab available in class. You must place the documents into that folder. Please DO NOT place work in my physical mailbox, the pocket outside of my door, or hand it to me during class. If I am not available, you may slide the assignment under my closed door. Electronic assignments will have specific post information supplied. You MUST staple multiple page documents together.
5. Class notes: I generally post an outline or other material used in class.  It is your responsibility to get any missed notes from a colleague in the class.
6. Submit system: We may use an automated submission system for turning in some kinds of work.  

Communication

1. Gradebook: I will be using Blackboard's On-line Grade Book facility, so you will be able to see what work has been submitted and graded and where you stand at any point in time. I use the weighted grades in Blackboard and these make total points meaningless, so I have removed that total points that you may see for other courses.  NOTE: An "!" symbol for a grade indicates that you have turned it in, but it is not yet graded.
2. General communication: I will use Blackboard's Announcements as well as our web site to post important announcements for the course. In case of snow days, problems with submitting assignments, etc, it is your responsibility to check out the announcements. If quick notice is required, I will also send e-mail to your JMU e-mail account. NOTE: Be sure that you verify all announcements about school closing or class cancellation from reliable sources. www.jmu.edu is the official site for any JMU announcements and our web site or Blackboard is the official site for announcements related to this class. E-mails coming from me will be repeated in Blackboard or on the web.
3. Office hours: My office hours are designed to give you some time when you can get individual assistance with your work. If you find that you cannot make office hours, let me know and we can set up an appointment at a different time. I am also happy to work with you on a drop-in basis. Typically, if my door is open, I am available to work with you. Do not apologize for "bothering me" in my office. That is what I am here for and it is not a bother. I am often available on IM (harrisnl55) especially if you are having problems with assignments or if you prefer GChat, csharrisnl is my online name.
4. Other contact: Feel free to use e-mail or IM to contact me. If it is not appropriate for what you are asking, I will tell you. Make sure that you receive confirmation of any request that you make via e-mail...if I have not responded, I may not have gotten your request (sometimes spam filters filter out legitimate e-mail and I might not see it right away). Also, requests for assignment extensions should be from your JMU e-mail account. I will not respond to any e-mail except your official password protected e-mail.

Exams and grades

1. Exams: If you have an emergency and cannot take a scheduled exam, let me know as soon as possible and we will schedule the make-up. You must be prepared to document all such absences.
2. Exam lateness: If you arrive for an in-class exam late, you will be permitted to take the exam if no one has left the examination room. You will need to finish your work no later than the announced end time for the exam; in other words, unless prior arrangements have been made, you will need to finish the exam with the rest of the class.
3. Grading appeals: You may find that my grading of an exam question or assignment does not agree with how you think it should be graded. If the problem is a simple calculation error, bring that to my attention on the day the work is returned and I will make the change. If the discrepancy is with how I interpreted your answer or method of solving the problem, prepare a brief (one paragraph or less) argument for why I should award more points and submit it to me with your original work and my comments. This should be submitted no later than the next class period following return of the work.
4. Grades: Grades are based on your performance and not necessarily your effort. If you try really, really hard, you may still not achieve a good grade. See me if you are struggling.

Miscellaneous

1. Classroom etiquette: Most students know the classroom ground rules.  Please respect your colleagues and do nothing that is disruptive.  This includes ringing cell phones, texting during class, using your mp3 player during class, and other non course related activities. I invite you to bring a laptop to class and to use it for class related work, including but not limited to downloading class notes, researching further something we've discussed in class, finding the Java tutorial or APIs relevent to the material from class, etc. If you must leave class or come to class late, please do so discreetly.
   
2. Classroom conduct: I like to run an interactive class.  Please feel free to ask questions and request clarification at any time.
3. Extra Credit: I do not provide extra credit assignments so please do not ask for them. There will be some flexibility in assignments, so if you cannot do an assignment, the penalty for one missed assignment is neglible.  
4. HONOR POLICY: I take very seriously the JMU Honor Code. Any violation of the Honor Code will be dealt with within that policy.  Collaborating with other students on Programming Assignments is the major violation that I see each semester and I do report all violations to the Honor Council either through the informal resolution mechanism or the formal procedure. JMU Honor Council.  All written work must cite any sources used.  And be aware, when I discover a case of suspected cheating, I will always give the students involved a chance to explain what happened or how the work was duplicated.  I never send a case to the honor council without first talking with the affected students and investigating the circumstances.  In some cases, the students I have suspected of collusion turn out not to have done anything wrong.
5. Withdrawal: If you decide to withdraw from this class be sure to do so by the mid-semester withdrawal deadline as posted on the registrar's web site(http://www.jmu.edu/registrar/fall_basic.shtml). At that point, you will have enough grades to determine whether or not you can successfully complete the course. Be sure to see me if you have any question before that date. I do not give WP or WF grades to students who simply fail to attend class or who ask to drop after the deadline. See me to work out how you can successfully complete the class.
6. Students with Disabilities: If you are a student with an Access Plan, be sure to share that with me during office hours at the beginning of the class. I want to work with you to determine how I can help your learning and implement that plan. If you are not documented with a disability, but feel that there is something that I can do to help you in my classroom, please don't hesitate to come see me so that we can discuss your options. If you do not have a formal access plan, but there is something that I can do to help you to learn in this class that is also fair to the other students, please let me know.
7. Religious Observance: Students who must miss class for a religious observance and who let me know in advance of the absence will be permitted to make up the missed work. Be sure to see me at least 1 week prior to the planned absence.
8. JMU Sanctioned Activity: Students who must miss class for a JMU sanctioned activity such as sports competition, academic competition, music performance, etc, will be permitted to make up missed work as long as notice is given at least one week prior to the planned absence.
   
9. Illness: If you are sick especially with a fever...STAY HOME.  Most everything for class is posted online and I will help you via e-mail if necessary during your illness.  You will not necessarily be able to turn in late work, but that is part of what the dropped grades are all about.  In some situations, I may give you special permission to turn in work electronically.
   

last updated - 06/02/2011