|
| Policy
#: |
5410 |
| Subject: |
Guidelines
for the Academic Implications of Instructional Disruptions |
| Group: |
Students
|
| Approved
by: |
Senate |
| Approval
date: |
22 February
2000 |
| Effective
date: |
|
| Revised: |
|
| Administered
by: |
Vice-President,
Academic & Research |
|
|
| DEFINITIONS
OF TERMS: |
| i.
|
instructional
days: |
instructional
days shall be interpreted to mean the days in which regular classes
... and/or exams were scheduled to be held as outlined in the University
Diary in effect immediately prior to the period of disruption |
| ii. |
instructional disruption: |
an instructional
disruption shall be defined as a period of time no less than seven
(7) instructional days in a semester, in which the University schedule
is significantly disrupted. |
|
|
| 1.
GOVERNING PRINCIPLES |
| Whereas, normal
University instruction and academic activity may be significantly disrupted
from time to time for a variety of reasons, the following principles shall
apply, during and after such disruptions: |
| A. |
Confusion
and anxiety will be kept to a minimum by clear policies that are to
be widely distributed and effectively carried out; |
| B. |
The
University Senate wishes to ensure that the integrity of all academic
programs is maintained regardless of any disruption and that every
effort be made to avoid dilution of academic standards; |
| C. |
Students
shall have the freedom of choice to act according to the guidelines
listed below without undue academic penalty. |
|
|
| 2.
STUDENTS' RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES DURING A DISRUPTION |
| A. |
Students'
Freedom of Choice |
| |
| i. |
Students
have the right to continue their academic routine-including
access to University libraries, computer labs, athletic facilities,
and the various academic buildings-within the limits of the
disruption; |
| ii. |
Students
have the right to continue their academic routine and/or to
express personal views on the situation without facing harassment
or reprisals from any party; |
| iii. |
Students
have the right to attend or not to attend classes held during
the disruption without facing harassment or reprisals from any
party. |
|
| |
|
| B. |
Students'
Right to Withdraw from Courses Without Academic Penalty: |
| |
The
University will allow any student to withdraw from any given full
year course after an instructional disruption of fifteen (15) instructional
days and from any half year course after an instructional disruption
often (10) instructional days, during the semester in which said course
is being attempted. If such a withdrawal occurs after the regularly
scheduled withdrawal period, a designation of 'S' shall be entered
on their transcripts. |
| |
| i. |
the
period of withdrawals under this section shall be ten (10) instructional
days following the resumption of classes or; |
| ii. |
in
the case that there are not ten (10) instructional days remaining
in the semester, the period of withdrawal shall continue up
to 24 hours prior to the [mal exam or up to the date of the
final submission of class work for the class in question. |
|
| |
|
| C. |
Student
Responsibilities: |
| |
Notwithstanding
the anxieties and ambiguities posed by such situations, students have
a responsibility to keep up with their work despite choosing or being
unable to attend class during a disruption. |
|
|
| 3.
PROCEDURES GOVERNING REMEDIAL ACTION BY COURSE INSTRUCTORS |
| In the absence
of a need for a more substantial remedy in order to preserve course integrity,
course instructors are expected to take the following actions as promptly
as possible. It is the responsibility of each Department or Programme involved
to ensure that whatever changes are made in individual courses are taken
into account when the syllabi are being planned for related courses offered
in the subsequent term or academic year. |
|
| A. |
For Classes Not Held During a Disruption: |
| |
| i. |
Course
material scheduled to be covered during the period of an instructional
disruption, such as those involving labs, practices, rehearsals,
or inaccessible material, should if possible be made up during
normal class time. |
| ii. |
When
an instructor deems that extra class sessions are necessary,
every effort should be made to ensure that such classes are
held at the convenience of the majority of the students and
that alternative arrangements are made for any student unable
to attend those extra sessions. |
| iii. |
When
course material cannot be covered in class or during extra sessions,
serious consideration should be given to striking it from the
syllabus and the marking scheme. |
| iv. |
It
is understood that decisions as to the altering of course syllabi
might well be influenced by the certification requirements of
outside bodies. |
|
| |
|
| B. |
For Classes Held During a Disruption: |
| |
| i. |
Instructors
are expected to provide alternative access to the material covered
to students absent from classes held during a disruption. Reasonable
alternatives might include providing lecture notes, special
tutoring, class tapes, guides to suitable readings, and the
like. |
| ii. |
Essays,
reports, exercises, and other written submissions due during
or immediately after a disruption shall be accepted for a period
which allows students a reasonable time for completion, taking
into account that students may not have been able to continue
with this work during the disruption. |
| iii. |
It
is expected that if a test has been given during the period
of the instructional disruption, a substitute test shall be
offered to students absent from the original one, at a time
convenient for both the instructor and the students involved. |
|
| |
|
| C.
|
When
Reorganization of the Syllabus (Including Evaluation) is Deemed Necessary: |
| |
| i. |
The
instructor shall discuss all plans for rescheduling or reorganization
with class members before implementation, bearing in mind the
principles of fairness to students and academic integrity. This
discussion shall take place within five (5) instructional days
of the resumption of classes. |
| ii. |
Within
ten (10) instructional days of the resumption of classes, the
instructor shall inform his/her class of any rescheduling or
reorganization in writing. The revised curriculum shall include
a statement explaining the procedure for grievances outlined
below. A copy of the revised curriculum shall be sent to the
Head of the Department /Programme Director and the Dean of the
Faculty concerned. The Dean of the Faculty will forward all
revised curricula to the Students' Administrative Council (S.A.C.).
|
| iii. |
Students
not satisfied with rescheduling or reorganization should discuss
the matter with the instructor first. If still not satisfied,
students may turn to any of the following: Head of the Department/Programme
Director, Dean of the Faculty concerned, Vice-President (Academic
& Research), in that order. |
| iv. |
The
S.AC. Vice-President (University Affairs) can also act as an
advocate for any student who remains dissatisfied beyond the
level of the Dean. |
|
|
|
| 4.
PROCEDURES GOVERNING REMEDIAL ACTION WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY |
| A. |
The Role of the University: |
| |
| i. |
The
University shall provide a notice of the resumption of the regular
class schedule to the Mount Allison community at least twenty-four
(24) hours before this resumption is scheduled to occur. |
| ii. |
all
University academic deadlines, including but not limited to,
the add/drop period and withdrawals, which are scheduled to
occur during the disruption shall be suspended until after the
disruption has ceased and classes have resumed for a minimum
of five (5) instructional days. |
| iii. |
The
Senate recommends that all financial deadlines of the University
be suspended in a similar manner to academic deadlines (see
4A-ii) |
|
| |
|
| B.
|
The Role of the University Senate: |
| |
| i. |
The Chair of the University Senate shall call a meeting of the
Senate to occur during the first five (5) instructional days
following a return from a disruption, at which time the Senate
shall review any matters of concern to the Senate, including
the University Diary, and make such decisions or recommendations
as the Senate may deem appropriate. |
|
| |
|
| C.
|
Special
Academic Appeals Committee: |
| |
| i. |
Complaints
can, at anytime, be referred to the Special Academic Appeals
Committee on Grievances from the Disruption. This Appeals Committee
will be struck whenever there is an instructional disruption.
The committee shall be composed of the three (3) Academic Deans,
one of whom shall chair the committee, one (I) members of faculty
(appointed by the Senate), and one (1) student (appointed by
the S.A.C). |
| ii. |
The
committee shall set an appropriate time line to hear appeals,
which shall extend to a date of at least one month after the
mailing of scholarship notices and/or the admissions appeals
deadline. This committee shall issue a report to Senate, and
may make recommendations to the changing of this policy, as
they deem necessary. |
|
|
|
| 5.
PROCEDURES GOVERNING APPLICATION AND INTERPRETING OF THE POLICY |
| Any complaints
by students concerning the application of the policy will be referred to
the Vice-President, Academic & Research, and may be appealed in writing
to the University Senate. |
|
|
