TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION III – CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
3.1.1 Class Schedules3.1.2.1 Cellular Telephones and Beepers 3.1.2.3 Non-Smoking Policy
3.2.1 Admission to Class
3.2.2 Announcements3.3 Examinations3.2.3 Attendance Policy and Record Keeping
3.2.3.1 Record of Class Attendance Policy Blinn College Board Policy Manual, Policy FBD(LOCAL) Attendance
3.2.3.2 Appeal Process for Students Withdrawn for Excessive Unexcused Absences
3.2.4 Auditing a Course
Updated 3/28/2007
3.2.6 Student Discipline/Incivility Protocol
3.2.8 Authorities Entering Classroom
3.4.2 Grade Book3.5 Record Keeping
3.5.1 Class Records3.1 CLASSROOM ADMINISTRATION3.5.4 Requests for Class/Student Data
3.1.1 Class Schedules
Only officially registered students should be permitted to attend class. Appropriate proof of student registration is the student’s name listed on the class roster, the student’s class schedule indicating s/he has added the class, or a receipt from Business Services indicating that the student has paid to audit the class: see 3.2.4 Auditing a Course (Appendix I).
3.1.2 Class Regulations
3.1.2.1 Cellular Telephones and Beepers3.1.3 Dress CodeCellular telephones and beepers/pagers must be disengaged while the student is in the Blinn College Library or any classroom/lab.
Instructors and students are not allowed food and/or drinks in the Blinn College Library or any classroom/lab.
Smoking is not permitted in any Blinn College facility except where indicated otherwise. Smoking is also prohibited where indicated near the entrances of college buildings.
Blinn College students are to dress using generally accepted standards of neatness, cleanliness, modesty and good taste. This policy is interpreted to require students to wear shoes. Elasticized, form-fitting, athletic-type apparel is not acceptable in the classrooms, labs, library or dining hall. Outer garments should cover underwear garments. Tank tops are not permitted in the dining halls. Apparel with suggestive or obscene writing and/or indecent graphics may not be worn in any public area of the campus including, but not limited to, the classrooms, labs, library, dining hall, student center, athletic fields and stadiums, and the residence hall day rooms. All students must remove hats, caps, bandanas and other head coverings at the time they are seated to eat. No headwear will be put on again until the student leaves the dining hall.
The right and responsibility to determine the appropriateness of the dress of a particular student lies with the classroom instructor, or when the student is outside the classroom, with the immediate supervisor of the building or grounds the student is utilizing. An instructor may require specific, appropriate dress when students are to give classroom presentations or speeches of any type or when representing the College outside the classroom. When an instructor or supervisor informs a student that the clothing s/he is wearing is not appropriate, the student must leave the classroom or other facility until the student changes the clothing or agrees not to wear such clothing again, as the instructor or supervisor directs.
Students may appeal any decision or directive relative to dress in accordance with the appeals process established by the Board Policy FLD (LOCAL) on student complaints or Board Policy FMA (LOCAL) on disciplinary appeals (if a disciplinary penalty has been imposed).
For faculty dress code see 2.30.5 Dress Code.
See 2.3 Accidents and 2.6 Campus Police.
3.2 CLASSROOM PROTOCOL3.2.1 Admission to ClassThose students whose names appear on the class roster are officially registered in the class. Should a student whose name does not appear on the class roster attend the class, the instructor should request that the student provide a current class schedule which indicates s/he has added the class. If a student is unable to produce such documentation, s/he will not be permitted to remain in the class. It is imperative that any such enrollment discrepancies be resolved prior to the instructor certifying/signing the twelfth class day roster. An important way for students to receive critical campus information is through class announcements. Faculty will inform students immediately by reading or posting in their classes any and all relevant memos/announcements received from college administration.
3.2.3 Attendance Policy and Record Keeping
The College District believes that class attendance is essential for student success; therefore, students are required to promptly and regularly attend all their classes. Each class meeting builds the foundation for subsequent class meetings. Without full participation and regular class attendance, students shall find themselves at a severe disadvantage for achieving success in college. Class participation shall constitute at least ten percent of the final course grade. It is the responsibility of each faculty member, in consultation with the division chair, to determine how participation is achieved in his or her class. Faculty will require students to regularly attend class and will keep a record of attendance from the first day of class and/or the first day the student’s name appears on the roster through final examinations. If a student has one week’s worth of unexcused absences during the semester, he/she will be sent an e-mail by the College requiring the student to contact his/her instructor and schedule a conference immediately to discuss his/her attendance issues. Should the student accumulate two weeks worth of unexcused absences, he/she will be administratively withdrawn from class.
Revised Student Attendance Process:
There are four forms of excused absences recognized by the institution:
1. Observation of religious holy days – Sec. 51.911(b), Texas Education Code. An institution of higher education shall excuse a student attending classes and/or required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day. A student whose absence is excused under this section may not be penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment. The student should notify his or her instructor(s) not later than the 15th day of the semester concerning the specific date(s) that the student will be absent for any religious holy day(s); and
2. Representing the College District at an official institutional function. If a student is asked by the College District to be an official representative of the College District at any function approved by the institution, the student will be excused from any classes missed and must be allowed to complete all work without penalty for that absence(s) in a timely manner as directed by the faculty member.
3. A high school student representing the independent school district at an official institutional function. If a high school student is asked by the independent school district to be an official representative of the school district at any function approved by the institution, the student shall be excused from any class missed and must be allowed to complete all work without penalty for the absence(s) in a timely manner as directed by the faculty member.
4. Military Service - Education Code 51.9111(d); 19 TAC 4.9. If a student can prove he/she is serving on active duty to which he/she is called with the armed forces of the United States, the student shall be excused from attending classes and allowed to complete an assignment or take an examination from which the student is excused within a reasonable time after the absence.
Excused Absences for Students Called to Active Military service
Other absences may be excused at the discretion of the faculty member.
If a student resides in College District housing, failure to attend classes may be grounds for loss of residential housing privileges (see residential housing contract for details). Students enrolled in developmental courses are subject to state-mandated attendance policies. Failure to attend developmental classes shall result in removal from the course as defined by state law.
3.2.3.1 Record of Class Attendance PolicyAll faculty are required to take daily attendance in all classes with the first class meeting and ending with the final examination. Attendance in each class and laboratory session is to be recorded in the faculty member’s grade book. The date of each meeting is to be clearly marked and symbols denoting each student’s presence or absence are to be used. This record of attendance must be kept for a minimum period of three years from the date of completion of the course. Faculty leaving the service of the institution are asked to turn in their attendance records to the appropriate division chair. An attendance record throughout the semester is a vital piece of data that will be needed by the Institution to demonstrate student ability to benefit requirements as prescribed by federal student aid guidelines.
3.2.3.2 Appeals Process for Students Withdrawn for Excessive Unexcused Absences
A student subject [or not subject] to the THEA rules and who acquires the equivalent of two weeks of absences in a required developmental Course(s) will be withdrawn from the course(s). There is an appeals process for students withdrawn from developmental courses (see Blinn College Student Handbook - Student Academic Complaints).
If a student feels s/he needs to appeal being withdrawn from a non-developmental course for excessive unexcused absences, that student may appeal by notifying the respective division chair in writing [see "Blinn College Reinstatement Form" in Appendix I] within five business days of being administratively withdrawn. The student should be prepared during the appeal to present any petitionable reasons and/or documents. The appeal decision is with the respective division chair, and that decision is final. The student will be notified of the appeal decision within two business days of the appeal appointment date.
3.2.4 Auditing a Course
Prior to and 7 days past late registration, any person 18 years of age or older may, when space is available and with the consent of the respective division chair and dean [or campus vice president/director], enroll as an auditor by paying $55 for a three-hour course and $65 for a four-hour course, plus any required laboratory fees. Since the auditing student’s name will not appear on the official roster, the audit certificate or business office receipt will serve as verification that the student may attend class. Audit students may use the library facilities and materials in the library only. The instructor is not obligated to accept any papers, tests, or examinations from the audit student. An audit student is free from such course requirements as attendance, written work, and tests. Credit will not be granted for auditing a course. Once a student has registered as an audit student, s/he cannot change to credit status, nor may a credit status student change to an audit status once the semester has begun. Neither the instructor nor the College assumes responsibility for the academic progress of an auditing student. No refunds of tuition and fees are made to auditing students. Currently enrolled students shall have the priority for auditing space.
3.2.5 Class Length
During a traditional academic year, classes may last 50 minutes, 75 minutes, or three to four hours depending on course credit and lab configurations. It is important that faculty meet the full class period. Blinn College is obligated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to certify that all classes meet, and meet fully their published times. Longer classes that meet three or four hours at a sitting may have one or two short breaks of ten to fifteen minutes. It must be remembered that breaks should not exceed these parameters and compromise the requisite number of contact hours for the class. It is often tempting in classes that run for three to four hours to extend breaks beyond fifteen minutes, or to adjourn class one or more hours early. A faculty member should give these classes special preparation so that the full time is utilized in instruction. 3.3 EXAMINATIONS3.2.6 Student Discipline/Incivility Protocol
If a student disrupts the classroom environment, a faculty member has recourse to discipline a disorderly student. That recourse may range from asking the student to behave to telling the student to leave the class. Most classroom discipline will involve the former rather than the latter. However, should the faculty member determine that it is necessary to have a student removed from class, s/he must meet the requirements of the process outlined under Incivility Protocol in the Administrative Policy Manual.
Located in Appendix C are the Incivility Flow Chart and Incivility Resolution Report Form (this form must be used by the instructor when a student is asked to leave class for uncivil behavior).
Individuals who are not enrolled as students, employed by the College, or invited guests of the College are not permitted to attend classes without prior approval of the instructor. Parents and guardians are not allowed to bring unmatriculated students to college classes without prior approval of the instructor. Student’s children are not permitted in class without the prior consent of the instructor. Children in class should not become a routine occurrence.
3.2.8 Authorities Entering Classroom
Any local or federal agent (e.g., police officer or F.B.I. agent) needing to enter the classroom on official business should be attended by a College administrator or representative (e.g., Dean of Academic Affairs). The instructor, after consulting with the College representative, should defer to the agent(s) and allow the agent(s) to carry out their responsibilities. There might occur an emergency situation where authorities enter the classroom without a College representative present.
The instructor should conduct him/herself throughout this procedure in a professional and courteous manner.
3.2.9 Language Use/Abuse in the Classroom
Blinn College expects its instructors and students in the classroom to use language that is not abusive. If a student uses language deemed by the instructor to be insulting, obscene, or vulgar, that student will be asked to desist in using offensive language in the classroom. And if the student continues to use offensive language in the classroom after being warned, s/he may be asked to leave the classroom. (see Administrative Policy Manual: Incivility Protocol) If an instructor is reported by a student or students to be using abusive language in class, the division chair will inquire into the matter.
3.2.10 Plagiarism and Other Forms of Academic Dishonesty
The instructor has primary responsibility for identifying and responding to clear instances of student plagiarism and/or cheating. Plagiarism is defined as offering another’s work as one’s own without appropriate acknowledgment. Cheating may be defined as dishonesty of any kind in a student's academic program (e.g., unauthorized copying from another’s work, alteration of official grades, etc.).
If, in the opinion of the instructor, plagiarism or cheating is evident, the instructor should contact his/her immediate supervisor and engage the protocol of the Scholastic Dishonesty Policy (Appendix B). In the event that plagiarism or academic dishonesty results in a final grade appeal by the student, the respective faculty member(s) involved should consult the Final Grade Appeal Policy (Appendix B).
3.3.1 Examination Components 3.4 GRADE AND GRADING SYSTEMEvery class must include a minimum of four major grades which may be comprised of objective and/or subjective examinations. The faculty are strongly encouraged to incorporate one, two or more writing assignments/exams in their overall grading paradigm. Also, every class must be given a final examination during the regularly scheduled final examination time.
All examinations must be graded, and feedback or test scores provided to students in a timely manner. Should the faculty member retain student essays, tests, or research papers, etc., s/he must keep papers for the period of one full academic year cycle (e.g., fall to fall) to provide documentation should a question arise concerning students’ final grades.
Faculty are encouraged to review their institutional course syllabi concerning number of examinations and kinds of examinations/assignments before writing their Course Information Sheets. All course syllabi are on file with the division chair; examinations and assignments in your Course Information Sheet should reflect closely the parameters laid out in the respective course syllabus.
3.4.1 Final Grade Appeal Policy Should a student wish to challenge the final grade s/he receives in a course, the College has a Final Grade Appeal Policy that would be invoked at that time. For the specific parameters of the Final Grade Appeal Policy see Appendix B. See also 2.28 Plagiarism and Other Forms of Academic Dishonesty. 3.4.2 Grade Book
All faculty must possess and maintain an acceptably formatted grade book – the immediate supervisor will define the schemata of the grade book for his/her division. It is expected that the grade book closely parallel the assignments delineated in the Course Information Sheet so that anyone can effortlessly match the assignment to the grade. Because the instructor’s grade book is the official college record that documents students’ performance in the classroom, it is highly recommended that the faculty retain a secondary copy of the grade book in some format: electronic or hardcopy. Should a faculty member leave the employ of the College, s/he MUST provide his/her immediate supervisor with the grade book. The immediate supervisor will retain this document for one academic year (see also 2.9.7). Contractually employed instructors must retain grade books for one full calendar year regardless of format. In rare circumstances it may be necessary to change a final grade. Faculty members should take great care in determining grades, for grades are the official record of student performance in the class. If a faculty member miscalculates a final grade, s/he must complete the Grade Change Form located in BORIS. If a faculty member must give an Incomplete, s/he should ensure that all the parameters of the Incomplete Contract are met (the Incomplete Contract may be found in Appendix I), and then complete the Grade Change Form. Normally, the course work yet to be completed as defined in the Incomplete Contract must be finalized ninety (90) days from the beginning of the next full semester. Blinn College policy is that grades over one year old will not be changed.
Blinn College awards only the following grades: "A," "B," "C," "D," "F," "W," "WP," "WF," and "I." All final grades are due in the Admissions and Records Office on the day and time indicated on the academic calendar. There is no excuse for late final course grades! Final course grades MUST NEVER be posted for public view.
A student may withdraw from a class with a "W" if s/he drops the class before or on the last day to withdraw. Past the last day to withdraw with a "W," the student will receive either a "WP" or a "WF," determined by the student’s performance in the class in consultation with the instructor.
A grade of "I" indicates that the course work was incomplete because of serious illness or other justified emergency. Only work that would finish classwork already substantially completed will be considered as work suitable to be made up under an Incomplete. The instructor will change the grade of "I" to a grade based on the work completed for the course in addition to the work specified in the Course Completion Contract. All incomplete work must be completed within ninety days of the start of the next long semester. Failure to complete the work specified in the Course Completion Contract will result in a grade of zero that is factored into the final grade calculation with appropriate weighting relative to other course grades. It should be remembered that the "I" GRADE MUST BE CHANGED BY THE INSTRUCTOR to the appropriate grade by submitting a Grade Change Form upon the termination of the Course Completion Contract (see Appendix I ).
The Blinn College grading scale is as follows:
90-100 – A
80-89 - B
70-79 - C
60-69 - D
50-59 - F 3.5 RECORD KEEPINGAll faculty must utilize this grading scale unless teaching in a competitive admissions program where an alternative grading scale may be mandated by an outside agency. See Blinn College Board Policy EGA (LOCAL).
3.4.7 Scholastic Dishonesty Policy
See 3.2.10 Plagiarism and Other Forms of Academic Dishonesty
3.5.1 Class RecordsSee 3.4.2 Grade Book; 3.4.3 Grade Changes; 3.4.4 Grade Reporting; 3.4.5 Grading Scale. Class rosters comprise the official attendance record for the class. It is imperative that class rosters be accurate, for they represent a checklist of students paying for the class, and a final tally of student enrollment for the semester reported to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Given the import of this information, absolute accuracy is imperative.
Faculty members will receive a First Class Day Roster and subsequent rosters prior to the Twelfth Class Day Roster. It is imperative that an accurate enrollment count exist during this period and is meticulously recorded in the Twelfth Class Day Roster. This Twelfth Class Day Roster represents a list of students who will receive a final grade in the class unless they withdraw from the class.
Prior to final exams the instructor will receive the final roster for each class. Students listed on this roster should represent those who will receive a final grade in the class. These rosters must be submitted to the Admissions and Records Office: see 3.4.4 Grade Reporting.
Should you have any questions concerning this process, please contact the Admissions and Records Office on your campus.If a faculty member retains any student records (exams, essays, reports, research papers, etc.) s/he must save these documents for one academic year in case a student question or challenge his/her final grade. This also applies to the faculty member's grade book: see 3.4.2 Grade Book.
3.5.4 Requests for Class/Student Data
Parents (or guardians) occasionally request data concerning classes that their children (or wards) are taking or have taken. Many times these inquiries pursue specific questions about a class such as grade distribution, student pass/fail ratios, etc. Because Blinn College desires to comply with both Open Records guidelines and FERPA mandates, which prohibit an educational institution from releasing student information without that student's consent, the college is duly expedient concerning information given out. Therefore, all requests for specific class information should be directed to the Registrar, Dennis Crowson,
(979-830-4141).
Blinn College Faculty Handbook