Office of the Provost: Memorandum
To: All Faculty and Staff (except School of Law)
From: N. John DiNardo, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Subject: Key Policy Reminders for the Fall Quarter
Date: 19 September 2008
Key Reminders for Faculty and Staff: Fall 2008-2009
Welcome to the Fall Quarter at Drexel!
- Fall Quarter classes begin on Saturday, September 20th for Saturday Scholars
- Fall Quarter classes begin on Monday, September 22nd for all other full-time and part-time students
We have provided important academic information that is relevant to faculty and staff on this web page. To view critical calendar dates and academic policies that have been made available to students, please click here.
NEWS
• Convocation 2008
CRITICAL DATES
• Academic Calendar 2008-2009
• Midterm Grades/Early Warning System
• Student Progress
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
• Excused Absences
• Final Examinations
• Final Grade Submission
• Incomplete and Late/Medical Withdrawal Policy
KEY PRACTICES
• Disability Accommodations
• Office of Equality and Diversity
• Religious Observances
• When a Student is in Distress - How You Can Help
NEWS
Drexel University's Convocation is scheduled for Friday, October 17, 2008. Convocation celebrates the beginning of the academic year. The Convocation ceremony is scheduled for 11 AM in the auditorium of the Main Building (31st and Chestnut Streets). All classes are cancelled from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
CRITICAL DATES
The Academic Calendar provides detailed information regarding critical academic deadlines; critical SCDC/Co-operative education dates; and holidays. Please note the following critical deadlines:
Traditional Courses
Course Add/Drop
• Sunday, October 5th via DrexelOne by 11:00 PMCourse Withdrawal
• Friday, October 31st with Academic Advisor assistance by 5:00 PMAccelerated Courses
Course Add/Drop
• Sunday, September 28th (part of Term A) via DrexelOne by 11:00 PM
• Sunday, November 2nd (part of Term B) via DrexelOne by 11:00 PMCourse Withdrawal
• Friday, October 10th (part of Term A) with Academic Advisor assistance by 5:00 PM
• Friday, November 21st (part of Term B) with Academic Advisor assistance by 5:00 PMSaturday Scholars
Course Add/Drop
• Friday, September 26th (part of Term A) with Academic Advisor assistance by 5:00 PM or via DrexelOne by 11:00 PM
• Friday, November 7th (part of Term B) with Academic Advisor assistance or via DrexelOne by 11:00 PM
Course Withdrawal
• Friday, October 10th (part of Term A) with Academic Advisor assistance by 5:00 PM
• Friday, November 21st (part of Term B) with Academic Advisor assistance by 5:00 PM
Midterm Grades/Early Warning System
The Early Warning System is a system by which the University identifies freshmen students whose satisfactory academic performance in critical freshman courses is in jeopardy. Professional academic advisors outreach to Freshmen identified through this process to provide just in time support and guidance. The success of this initiative is dependent upon the submission of midterm grades by faculty for students earning a grade of C or lower at the midpoint of the quarter. We are asking that midterm grades (or at the very least, midterm examination grades) for students earning a C or lower in the following courses be uploaded no later than October 24th at 5:00 PM.
ANAT 101 ANAT 102 CHEM 101 CHEM 108 EDUC 301 EDUC 310 ENGL 101 ENGL 102 ENGL 103 MATH 100 MATH 101 MATH 102 MATH 110 MATH 121 MATH 122 MATH 123 MATH 200 MATH 201 NURS 200 NURS 201 NURS 300 PHYS 101 PHYS 102 A series of reminder communications regarding the submission of midterm grades will be delivered to department heads beginning in the third week of the Fall term.
In order for a student to make a reasonable decision regarding course withdrawal, it is important to provide information regarding his or her performance before the withdrawal deadline. It is critical that every instructor make certain students are apprised of their performance in courses by the end of the fifth week of classes (i.e., by Friday, October 24th or for Saturday Scholars, by Saturday, October 3rd).
Instructors for accelerated sessions are also asked to abide by this practice by providing information - such that all of their students will know where they stand in the course - by the end of the second week of the accelerated session.
Courses should be structured accordingly; graded quizzes, exams, lab work, essays, etc. should be returned to students by the end of the fifth week and should provide a sufficient basis on which they can usefully gauge their standing in the course.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Unforeseen events may occur that cause a student to be absent from class. These may include bereavement, accident or catastrophic event such as fire. In the event of such circumstances, students are encouraged to notify their instructors as soon as possible in order to notify them of the circumstances leading to their absence from classes and to develop a plan and timetable to make up missed coursework. Faculty are expected to make reasonable accommodations for these class absences including administration of make-up assignments and exams whenever possible.
Excused Absences due to University Sponsored Activities
Many students participate in University-sponsored activities where they represent the University or their academic college or department. These activities may cause a student to be absent from class. Students are responsible for notifying instructors at least two (2) weeks in advance of such University-sponsored absences.It is expected that students seeking an excused absence will develop a plan and timetable to make up the missed coursework with their instructors. Faculty are expected to make reasonable accommodations for these class absences including administration of make-up assignments and exams whenever possible.
Unless waived by the Department Head and with the exception of laboratory courses, a final examination given during exam week is required in all undergraduate courses. Take-home exams approved in advance by the Department Head may be used and are due at the officially scheduled examination hour.
No final examination may be given in the 10th week of the quarter.
During finals week, no student is obligated to take more than two (2) finals on any given day. The Final Examination policy states that students may appeal to the Office of the Provost for accommodation at least three (3) days before the examination date. Students who are seeking accommodations may download the appeal form and submit it to the Office of Academic Advising, Retention and Diversity in Main 308.
Instructors for those courses with the highest course number will be asked to give a special exam for the Fall 2008 quarter.
- For classes with enrollment less than 50: grades will be due 48 hours after the final exam
- For classes with enrollment of 50 or more: grades will be due 72 hours after the final exam
The ability to submit grades via BannerWeb will be removed on Wednesday, December 17 at 12:00 PM.
Incomplete and Late/Medical Withdrawal Policy
Please take a moment to review the Office of Disability Services' (ODS) statement regarding incomplete and late/medical withdrawals at http://www.drexel.edu/disability/incompletes.html.
Additional information regarding accommodation - including a recommended statement regarding Advanced Notice for inclusion in syllabi - is included below.
The Office of the Provost will communicate any new or revised policies separately. These will appear in a special section of the policy website at http://www.drexel.edu/provost/policies.
KEY PRACTICES
It is the University's policy to provide a learning environment that provides all students with the opportunity to realize their full potential. To this end, the goal of the Office of Disability Services ("ODS") is to assist students with disabilities in becoming self-sufficient, independent, and successful members of the University's community and to provide students with disabilities with equal opportunity of access to University courses, programs, facilities, services, and activities.
Students seeking reasonable accommodations for their disabilities must first register with ODS. The staff of ODS will work closely with students to review medical documentation, assess their individual needs, and link them with the services necessary to ensure them the opportunity to participate fully in college life. The Office of Disability Services website can be found at http://www.drexel.edu/ods.
Office of Equality and Diversity
The mission of the Office of Equality and Diversity is to promote, support, and sustain a living, learning and working environment of diversity, equality, fairness, inclusion, and respect. The Office of Equality and Diversity is responsible for ensuring equality of opportunity and compliance with University policies and federal, state and local laws prohibiting discrimination based upon race, color, religion, gender (sex), marital status, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability and veteran status. University policy and the City of Philadelphia also prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation, identity and expression. The Office of Equality and Diversity investigates and attempts to resolve complaints of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Students, faculty and staff with questions about or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation should contact Michele M. Rovinsky, J.D., Executive Director of Equality and Diversity at 215-895-1403 or mrovinsky@drexel.edu. The Equality and Diversity website can be found at www.drexel.edu/oed.
The University is committed to promoting an environment that supports cultural and spiritual diversity.
It is essential that students contact their instructors at the beginning of the term for religious observance accommodation requests.
For more information, please review the Office of the Provost Statement on Religious Observances.
When a Student is in Distress - How You Can Help
The Counseling Center has launched a resource for Faculty and Staff with regard to assisting a student in a time of distress. The website includes information on:
- How You Can Help
- Some Signs and Symptoms of a Student in Distress
- Guidelines for Intervention
- How to Make a Referral to the Counseling Center
- Some Warning Signs of Substance Abuse
If confronted with distressing circumstances, students may turn to you for assistance. Your participation in identifying and referring students who are in distress is extremely important. For details from the Counseling Center, please visit http://www.drexel.edu/studentlife/ch/CC_Info for Faculty & Staff.html