University of Colorado Denver College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

 

Supporting Students

Student Concerns

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Faculty Won't Communicate with Student set office hours consistent with commuting students' schedule — not just before or after class maintain office hours religiously and keep office hours open provide information to students for scheduling an appointment outside office hours give students e-mail address and encourage electronic communication return phone calls and e-mail messages promptly — preferably within 24 hours avoid giving students your home phone avoid calling students at their home and never call a student after 10 pm Faculty Won't Communicate Grade Information and Course Standing to Student establish detailed grading policies on course syllabus routinely communicate grades and class standing on all graded assignments - include attendance and class participation if part of course grade regularly post student grades in compliance with FERPA policies assign approximate grade or class standing after mid-term and before 10th week drop deadline do not encourage students to continue course past 10th week deadline if performance is poor Faculty Didn't Inform Student They Were Dropped from Wait List or Not Registered realize student and faculty share responsibility for accurate registration download class rosters from SIS or UC Denver web site notify students when they are dropped from wait list at 1st, 3rd and 5th weeks of semester, notify students when they are participating but not registered Faculty Won't Award Incomplete grade (IW or IF) — student pressure for Incomplete state CLAS Incomplete policy on syllabus and CLAS section in Schedule of Courses do not award Incomplete grade without verified special circumstances never award an Incomplete for low grades or for a student who must retake the entire class refer upset student to department Chair or associate Dean for academic options (late drop) Student Complains about Course Grade — informal to faculty or formal to College detail grading policies on syllabus clearly state grading policies for attendance, participation and extra credit on syllabus establish consistent grading policies and expected course grades across sections in a multi-section class keep defensible attendance and class participation records return graded materials in a timely fashion regularly post grades in compliance with FERPA meet and listen to a student who inquires about their grade if necessary, refer student to department Chair or associate Dean if necessary, refer student to CLAS Advising Office for formal grade appeal procedures Faculty Humiliate Students in Class never resort to faculty misconduct as a result of student misconduct avoid using power of instructor to intimidate students state UC Denver campus policy on behavior and conduct on syllabus never harass, threaten, demean, humiliate, or talk down to students keep conversations about individual student performance private immediately inform department Chair and Associate Dean of student misconduct Student Fails to Meet [Dean's List, Graduation, Financial Aid, or Visa] Requirements complete grade change (Change of Record Form) in timely manner and within 10 days of the completion of the semester turn in grade rosters to department office by stated deadline Faculty Miss Class (no substitute) or are Late to Class/Examination honor commitment to meet every class start examinations on time arrange, if possible, for another instructor to take over class if faculty absence is unavoidable, be flexible on required attendance policies for students Faculty Give Examinations During Quiet Week note that Quiet Week policy in Schedule of Courses is inconsistent with CLAS practices do not give final examination during Quiet Week clearly identify on course syllabus any examination that is to be given during Quiet Week assume that College and Campus will eventually establish a practical Quiet Week policy Faculty Don't Adhere to Guidelines for end of semester course/instructor evaluation follow directions supplied with Faculty Course Questionnaires (FCQs) avoid any possible faculty connection to administration or collection of FCQs seek a student volunteer to administer and collect FCQs Faculty Ignore Wait Lists When Adding Students to Class download prioritized wait list at end of first week of classes — SIS assistance available recognize that faculty do not have to follow wait list priority after wait lists are dropped never tell students on the wait list they will be automatically added to the class — responsibility for registration rests with the student and wait list priority dropped after one week recognize that students high on the wait list priority (low priority number) will be upset/concerned if other students are allowed in the class ahead of them Faculty Are Charged With Sexual Harassment familiarize yourself with CU policies on sexual harassment keep all faculty-student relationships at the highest professional level avoid suggestive language/jokes that can be considered sexual harassment refer all cases of alleged sexual harassment to Ombuds Office