Attendance Policy
Because the success of any course results, in large part, from the establishment of learning communities in which all members participate, and because participation in such learning communities requires attendance at and involvement in class meetings, and because the particular classroom experiences in courses are unrepeatable, the following attendance policy has been established.
You are expected to attend class every day. You cannot pass this class if you miss more than the maximum number of permissible absences, including excused and unexcused absences. Because this course only meets once per week, only three excused absences are permitted. I expect you to keep and honor your word in the matter of your participation, which means that as soon as you know you are not going to be able to keep your word, you will be in communication with me and your fellow students and provide ways to handle any breakdowns your absence produces for others.
Remote Learning Camera PolicyVisual communication is a meaningful aspect of community building and successful learning, and given this, it is strongly encouraged that all students turn their cameras on during all synchronous class sessions. A camera on is one way to signal to your professor that you are present, engaged, and ready to learn. Your camera on is one way to show your peers that you are interested in what they think and that you are someone they can share this experience with.
Keeping your camera on also comes with long term advantages. For instance, when it comes time to seek letters of recommendation, you can be sure faculty will remember you, your work, and your participation in the course. You will also be able to make meaningful connections with classmates, which could result in creative collaborations or job opportunities in the future. While strongly encouraged, we do not require cameras on during remote learning for all students because we understand that some students may have significant reasons to keep their cameras off—reasons related to accessibility, affordability, identity, personal circumstances, and more. Your professor can help you use the many features of your video conferencing platform to participate in class, make meaningful contributions, and form supportive relationships with your professor and peers. Remote Classroom Conduct PolicyPlease understand that you are expected to treat our virtual classroom in a similar manner as a physical presence classroom. This means that you should be physically present for the full duration of each class period, be appropriately dressed, and be an engaged and attentive member of the class community. While our circumstances during the pandemic sometimes prevent us from having a space available that is suitable for virtual learning, we strongly encourage you to create such a space to the best of your ability (e.g., setting up a desk in a way that allows you to take notes, participate, etc.). Unless the only space available, we strongly discourage you from attending class from your bed.
To be sure that you are marked as present each day you attend, please be sure that you are logged in using a name your professor will recognize. In accordance with Rowan’s Preferred Name Policy, the use of a preferred name is, as always, appropriate. It is inappropriate, unacceptable, and unsafe for you to connect to your virtual classes while driving. If you must be driving during class time, please reach out to your professor for alternative arrangements, including taking an absence or making up in-class work at a safer time. Additionally, in most instances it is inappropriate for you to take class while on shift at your place of employment. Please do not schedule work and school at the same time. |