III. Classroom Procedures

Establishing Course Ground Rules
During the first meeting, instructors are expected to present to students a written syllabus that contains course ground rules. Instructors are expected to fully use the first meeting hour rather than dismiss class after a few minutes of announcements. Instructors should cover:

1. an introduction of the instructor and teaching assistants;
2. an announcement of office locations and office hours (if changes become necessary, students should be notified in advance); course website, other electronic means of communication (WebCT or Portfolio, for instance); expectation that students will check university email account as official means of communication;
   
3. an outline of the general character of the course, the readings, the number and kinds of papers and tests;
4. an announcement of whether or not picture identification will be required at examinations;
5. the grading standards, methods of evaluation, and factors that enter into grade determination - particularly conditions under which I's rather than F's may be awarded and performance standards for S (see Chapter VII., CLA Grading Policies for definition of grades and use of I);
6. the expectations for classroom participation and attendance and their effect on the student's grade;
7. a list including date and time of any additional, optional, or required outside-of-class work such as study sessions, field trips, or extra class meetings;
8. the help that students can expect from the instructor and assistants, particularly important in introductory courses, including the room number, phone number and hours (if available) of any tutoring available through the department;
9. the background preparation or prerequisite work required for course enrollment; and
10. for courses listed at more than one level, e.g., 1xxx-3xxx or 3xxx-5xxx, a description of the different work expectations and grading procedures and standards for each registration level.

In addition, the following items should be addressed:

1. Point out dates when work is due or when tests are scheduled, including dates and times of any additional or optional outside-of-class work such as field trips, study sessions, or extra class meetings.
2. Review college policy on scholastic conduct, expectations for academic honesty, and sanctions that may be imposed for dishonesty. A description of what constitutes plagiarism is especially useful for first-year students. (For procedures for handling scholastic misconduct, see "Resolving Scholastic Misconduct" in Chapter V., Student Conduct.)
3. Relate the course to other courses in the department and describe the general relationship of the discipline to liberal and professional education.
4. Inform students about deadlines and procedures for canceling/adding courses.
5. Remind students to check their registrations for accuracy of course and section numbers and grading options.

Academic Freedom and Responsibility
The University statements on academic freedom and responsibility outline instructors' rights and responsibilities as well as grievance and appeals procedures. The statement is published in the Regents' Policy Book, approved March 1991. Copies are available through the Associate Executive Director of the Board of Regents, (612) 625-6300. Policies can also be found online at http://www1.umn.edu/regents/policies.html.

Student Evaluation of Teaching
In 1993, the University Senate passed a policy requiring both student and peer evaluation of teaching. Evaluation forms for student evaluation are available to all faculty through the Office of Measurement Services. Evaluations must be administered during a regular class period before exam week and must be handed out, completed, and collected without the instructor present (usually a student from the class is asked to handle this process). Data from student evaluations is provided to departmental chair and the faculty member after final grades are submitted.

Each department determines peer evaluation procedures, but all departments are required to have some form of peer evaluation of teaching. Check with your department on its policies and procedures. A copy of the full policy on teaching evaluation is available at http://www.policy.umn.edu/Policies/Education/Education/TEACHINGEVALUATION.html

Each department should have a designated person who will listen to or respond to student complaints about teaching. For more information on handling student complaints about teaching or grades, see "Grade Disputes" in Chapter VIII., Grade Reporting and Records.

Quantity of Work Per Credit
The University Senate prescribes the quantity of work needed to earn a credit as three hours per credit per week or 42-45 hours per semester. The manner in which the course is taught determines how much of the work will be in the classroom, laboratory, library, or independent study and research. A student should expect to spend about 9 hours a week, including class time, on a 3-credit course.

Class Attendance, Participation, and Evaluation
Instructors, guided by the policies of their departments, set their own attendance regulations and rules for late work. Students are held responsible for meeting all course requirements and for observing deadlines, examination times, and other procedures. Instructors should inform students as early in the term as possible of dates for testing and deadlines for papers and reports; the return of graded work and other evaluative material before cancellation deadlines (the end of the eighth week) is strongly encouraged. Students should be told at the outset if unannounced quizzes are part of the evaluation process. Policies for makeup work and incomplete grades should be on the course syllabus.

The University of Minnesota permits absences from class for participation in religious observances. Students who plan to miss class must: 1) inform instructors of anticipated absences at the beginning of the term; 2) meet with instructors to reschedule any missed examinations; and 3) obtain class notes from other students. Instructors are requested to assist students in obtaining course materials and assignments distributed during class sessions and to make arrangements for taking missed examinations. Questions about this policy as it affects students should be directed to the Office of the Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs, 110 Morrill Hall, (612) 624-3560.

Students who must miss classes (including examinations) due to scheduled activities of official University student organizations (e.g., intercollegiate athletics, ROTC, University band, University student government-MSA) should be allowed to make up missed work to the same extent as students who are absent because of verified illness. They must, however, notify the instructor in advance of their absence. When necessary, the Office of the Assistant Dean for CLA Student Services, (612) 625-3846, will certify activities qualifying for such accommodation. Other acceptable excuses for absence include subpoenas, National Guard service, and confirmed medical excuses. Students with excused absences must provide supporting documentation. If administering makeup exams presents a severe burden for the instructor (as in large classes), alternatives that do not penalize the student may be considered, such as computing the final grade without the missed assignment. (Also see "Administering Makeup Examinations" in Chapter VI., Examination Procedures, for more information regarding policies for makeup examinations.)

University of Minnesota Board of Regents Policy on Sexual Harassment

Section I.Definition.
Subd. 1. Sexual Harassment. "Sexual harassment" means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or academic advancement in any University activity or program; (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis of employment or academic decisions affecting this individual in any University activity or program; or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment in any University activity or program.

Subd. 2. Member of the University Community. "Member of the University community" or "University member" means any University of Minnesota faculty member, student, or staff member, or other individual engaged in any University activity or program.

Section II. Policy.
Subd.1. Prohibition. Sexual harassment by or toward a member of the University community is prohibited.

Subd. 2. Responsibility to Report. Department heads, deans, provosts, chancellors, vice presidents, and other supervisors and managers must take timely and appropriate action when they know or should know of the existence of sexual harassment. Other persons who suspect sexual harassment should report it to an appropriate person in their unit or to the University equal opportunity officer.

Subd. 3. Administrative Responsibility. Each campus must adopt procedures for investigating and resolving complaints of sexual harassment in coordination with the director of equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Subd. 4. Disciplinary Action. A violation of this policy may lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or academic dismissal.

For questions, concerns, or information on sexual harassment policies, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, (612) 624-9547, or the Office of Human Resources at (612) 625-2000. CLA faculty and staff may also consult CLA Human Resources at (612) 624-9839.

Notetaking Services
Though the University does not endorse or approve notetaking services on campus, the University does not deny access to such organizations, and it does not prohibit faculty from freely participating with such services. Faculty who do not wish to cooperate with notetaking services may deny entrance to individuals who are not registered students in the course. It is also possible to claim protection through copyrights. Faculty should keep in mind that originality in tangible work is protected; ideas and facts are not. If faculty intend to claim copyright protection on lectures, notice should be given to students both verbally in class and in writing on a class syllabus. Questions about copying or signing agreements with notetaking services may be directed to the Office of the General Counsel, (612) 624-4100.

Field Trips
Precautions must be taken to ensure the safety and welfare of all participants. Students sued because of actions while on a field trip are not covered by the University liability policy; however, faculty are protected, assuming they act within the scope of their employment and do not commit malfeasance. The most effective way to minimize the University's risk of liability for field trip injuries is to arrange for transportation through Fleet Services, (612) 625-3033. Faculty who have specific concerns about liability arising from field trips should contact the Office of the General Counsel, (612) 624-4100.