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Faculty-Staff Handbook
VII. Instructional Policies
VII.A. General Information and Policies
VII.A.1. Class Meetings
VII.A.2. Classrooms
VII.A.3. Release of Student Information
VII.A.4. Records Retention
VII.A.5. Services to Students
VII.A.6. Office Hours
VII.A.7. Course Objectives
VII.A.8. Use of Community Resources for Teaching
VII.A.9. Student Evaluation of Teaching
VII.A.10. Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
VII.A.11. General Information About Student Activities
VII.A.12. Orientation Programs
VII.A.13. Advising Student Organizations
VII.A.14. Sexual Harassment
VII.A.15. Tutoring for Pay
VII.A.16. Academic Honesty Policy
VII.B. Student Attendance Policies
VII.B.1. Religious Holidays and Student Attendance
- Education Law
VII.B.2. Absences by Students from Classes for Participation
in Official University Events
VII.C. Grading
VII.C.1. Student Evaluation
VII.C.2. Grading System
VII.C.3. Transferring Courses and Credit Within Binghamton
University
VII.C.4. Examinations and Papers
VII.C.5. Final Examinations
VII.C.6. Submission of Grades
VII.C.7. Posting Grades
VII.C.8. Incomplete Grades
VII.C.9. Missing Grades
VII.C.10. Changing Grades
VII.C.11. Formal Complaints Concerning Grades
Academic departments enter their course offerings online in the University
course file each semester according to a schedule established by the
Registrar's Office. For any class with an expected enrollment over 79,
the department must notify the Registrar's Office to ensure that a classroom
will be available at the time the department plans to offer the class.
Academic departments are expected to schedule class meetings at standard
times (see below). No more than 50% of a department's sections each
semester should be offered during the Tuesday/Thursday daytime meeting
times and at least 50% of their sections should be offered outside of
the prime times of the day, 9:40 a.m. - 2:10 p.m. on Monday/Wednesday/Friday
and 10:05 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday/Thursday.
The standard meeting times are as follows (prime times are in bold):
M-W-F Class Days
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
9:40 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.
10:50 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
1:10 p.m. - 2:10 p.m.
2:20 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
4:40 p.m. - 5:40 p.m.
T-R Class Days
8:30 a.m. - 9:55 a.m.
10:05 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
11:40 a.m. - 1:05 p.m.
1:15 p.m. - 2:40 p.m.
2:50 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
4:25 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.
Evenings: The standard start times for evening courses are 5:50 p.m.
for Monday/Wednesday/Friday classes and 6:00 p.m. for Tuesday/Thursday
classes.
The standard meeting patterns shown above must be honored for daytime
courses unless a special situation exists that would justify a non-standard
meeting time. Exceptions will be granted only by a decision of the Registrar
upon recommendation from the Dean.
The Registrar's Office assigns meeting places for classes that use
general-purpose classrooms. Academic departments do the assignment of
classroom space that is not general-purpose (e.g. laboratory classrooms,
seminar rooms, recital halls, etc.) To optimize the use of general-purpose
classroom space, the Registrar's Office tries to closely match the capacity
of the rooms to the class enrollments.
During the period when departments are entering their course offerings
in the University course file, departments must notify the Registrar's
Office of any courses with expected enrollment over 79 to ensure that
classrooms are available. In addition, instructors who have special
needs because of disabilities or who need specific classroom technology
may make room requests through the Registrar's Office web page (http://registrar.binghamton.edu).
Specially requested classroom assignments made in advance of regular
classroom scheduling will remain provided the course enrollment makes
optimum use of seating capacity.
For classroom scheduling purposes, courses with a meeting time of "TBA"
(to be announced), courses which run for less than the full semester,
and courses with non-standard meeting times, will, by necessity, be
given a low priority.
The Registrar's Office also schedules classroom space for academic-related
events (review sessions, exams, lectures, etc.) that occur throughout
the week, including weekends. Requests can be made through the Registrar's
Office web page (http://registrar.binghamton.edu).
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)--commonly
known as the Buckley Amendment--provides for students' access to their
education records and assures them of the confidentiality of those records.
That act places strictures on the information about a student that may
be released without a signed and dated consent from that student. Faculty
and staff should consult with the Registrar's Office regarding any such
requests for student information. More information regarding FERPA is
available via the Registrar's Office web page (http://registrar.binghamton.edu).
It is University policy that the Office of the University Registrar
will maintain a student file (hard copy or scanned/digitized images)
and computerized academic record for a student for six years from the
date of last attendance. The hard copy or scanned/digitized file contains
admission information, high school transcripts, transfer transcripts,
academic petitions, degree certification information, and academic action
information. After the six-year period, the hard copy or scanned/digitized
file is purged, while transcripts are archived for permanent retention
and the computerized record remains available. The Office of the University
Registrar maintains original grade submissions from faculty permanently.
Faculty and staff should refer a student to any of the University's
specialized services as necessary or appropriate. The Office of Academic
Advising provides general information about academic program to undergraduate
students, as do similar offices in each of the professional schools.
The Center for Academic Excellence offers free peer tutoring in a wide
range of subject areas. University Health Services concerns itself with
students who have medical or health problems. The University Counseling
Center attends to students who show evidence of emotional or psychological
programs. Students needing part-time work or information about financial
aid should consult the Office of Student Financial Aid and Employment.
The Career Development Center disseminates information about careers
and career planning, coordinates the on-campus interviewing program,
and establishes credentials files for students. The mission of the Services
for Students with Disabilities office is to facilitate the educational
and personal development of Binghamton University students with disabilities
and enhance the architectural and attitudinal accessibility of the campus
environment. Other offices providing services to students include: Registrar's
Office; TRIO/Veteran's Programs; International Student and Scholar Services;
Residential Life; Off Campus College; Educational Opportunity Program;
Campus Activities and Orientation; Campus Recreational Services; Multicultural
Resource Center; Discovery Program and Judicial Affairs.
All faculty are expected to maintain a regular schedule of office hours
for consultation with students. The number of hours and the particular
schedule are determined by the faculty member, but with the condition
that they are sufficient enough and convenient enough to assure accessibility
to students.
Faculty should state clearly in writing at the beginning of each semester
the instructional objectives of each course they teach.
Faculty who assign projects to students that may involve contacts with
private, voluntary, or governmental agencies are expected first to establish
with the administration of the given agency the feasibility and acceptability
of the contacts.
The Office of Institutional Research and Planning administers a Student
Opinion of Teaching (SOOT) questionnaire for courses with 15 or more
respondents during both the Fall and Spring semesters. SOOTs are only
one of many possible approaches to student evaluation of teaching, and
are themselves voluntary. But the Provost does require evidence of student
input on the quality of a faculty member's teaching over time when that
faculty member is being considered for promotion and/or tenure.
http://ssd.binghamton.edu/academic.htm
Faculty and staff may obtain information concerning student organizations
from the Office of Campus Activities and Orientation. For information
concerning Student Affairs, contact the Office of the Assistant Vice
President for Student Life.
Several orientation periods for new undergraduate students are scheduled
during the summer months. Both freshmen and transfer students are offered
the opportunity to attend one of these sessions in order for them to
register for classes, receive academic advice, and become familiar with
the many services of the University. Orientation of new graduate students
is carried out by the Office of the Graduate School and by the constituent
schools and departments of the Graduate School. Faculty are called upon
to participate in various phases of these programs. The Office of International
Student and Scholar Services provides an orientation program for new
international students prior to the start of the fall and spring semesters.
Students may ask members of the faculty to be advisors to approved
student groups. Faculty members should discuss proposed advisory responsibilities
with department chairs (or deans/directors when appropriate) before
accepting any invitations. Faculty are invited to discuss matters relating
to their advising functions with the Director of Campus Activities and
Orientation.
As an advisor, the faculty member is responsible for informing the
organization of University policy and of the policies of the Board of
Trustees of the State University.
It is the policy of the University that students be secure from any
sexual harassment by faculty, staff, and administrators. (Refer to the
Faculty Statement of Professional Standards in Section IV.)
Tutoring of University students for pay by University faculty is prohibited.
See the Academic
Honesty policy in the "Information Applicable to All Students"
section of the University Bulletin.
Section 224- a. Students unable because of religious beliefs to attend
classes on certain days. (as amended by Laws of 1992, chapter 278)
- No person shall be expelled from or be refused admission as a student
to an institution of higher education for the reason that he or she
is unable, because of his or her religious beliefs, to register or
attend classes or to participate in any examination, study or work
requirements on a particular day or days.
- Any student in an institution of higher education who is unable,
because of his or her religious beliefs, to attend classes on a particular
day or days shall, because of such absence on the particular day or
days, be excused from any examination or any study or work requirements.
- It shall be the responsibility of the faculty and of the administrative
officials of each institution of higher education to make available
to each student who is absent from school, because of his or her religious
beliefs, an equivalent opportunity to register for classes or make
up any examination, study or work requirements which he or she may
have missed because of such absence on any particular day or days.
No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making
available to the said student such equivalent opportunity.
- If registration, classes, examinations, study or work requirements
are held on Friday after four o'clock post meridian or on Saturday,
similar or makeup classes, examinations, study or work requirements
or opportunity to register shall be made available on other days,
where it is possible and practicable to do so. No special fees shall
be charged to the student for these classes, examinations, study or
work requirements or registration held on other days.
- In effectuating the provisions of this section, it shall be the
duty of the faculty and of the administrative officials of each institution
of higher education to exercise the fullest measure of good faith.
No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because
of his or her availing himself or herself of the provisions of this
section.
- Any student who is aggrieved by the alleged failure of any faculty
or administrative officials to comply in good faith with the provisions
of this section shall be entitled to maintain an action or proceeding
in the supreme court of the county in which such institution of higher
education is located for the enforcement of his or her rights under
this section.
Reporting Absences
"Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and laboratories.
An instructor may deny a student the privilege of taking the final examination
or of receiving credit for the course, or may prescribe other academic
penalties, if the student misses more than 25 percent of the total class
sessions. Excessive tardiness may count as absence. In cases of excessive
absence, the instructor may request the appropriate dean's office or
the Academic Advising Office to investigate." (Binghamton University
Bulletin )
Faculty noting an excessive number of absences by a student are urged
to report this fact to Academic Advising or the appropriate dean's office
so that the student's whereabouts and circumstances may be ascertained.
Instructors may, of course, set up their own attendance requirements
within the framework of the Bulletin statement above. Special attendance
requirements should be clearly stated in writing at the beginning of
the semester.
Faculty should be sure to note the provisions of the Education Law
relating to student attendance and religious holidays appearing in the
entry immediately preceding.
Student and Classroom Discipline
Minor infractions of conduct are ordinarily handled at the time by
the instructor. Any disciplinary problems not so handled should be reported
immediately to the Judicial Affairs Coordinator. Instructors who discover
cases of theft, vandalism, or other serious offenses by students should
report them to the Judicial Affairs Coordinator. Bizarre behavior that
might indicate mental illness should be reported to the University Counseling
Center.
Any instructor may exclude from attendance any student who, in the
instructor's judgment, has seriously impaired the class's ability to
achieve the objectives of the course. The student may appeal the instructor's
action to the department or school using the established grievance procedure.
If the student is not satisfied with the ruling or recommendation emerging
from the grievance hearings, an appeal may be brought to the appropriate
dean.
Students at Binghamton University have the opportunity to participate
in many kinds of activities beyond the classroom that either contribute
to the quality of their undergraduate experience or promote their postgraduate
careers. At times, students' participation requires them to be absent
from regularly scheduled classes. Students are responsible for all work
missed. At the same time, faculty members are strongly encouraged to
accommodate students' participation in such activities. If this is an
organized activity, the sponsoring organization has a similar responsibility
to accommodate students' needs to meet their class obligations. Each
student is responsible for notifying the appropriate instructor(s) of
a potential absence at the beginning of the term for events already
scheduled, and not less than a week before those scheduled once a term
begins. Faculty should be flexible in providing opportunities for students
to make up tests and other work missed.
Members of the academic staff must state clearly in writing the methods
to be employed and the weighted value of each criterion used in determining
a final course grade. They must inform students of any differential
expectations and criteria, such as those between graduate and undergraduate
students in the same class. If the course has been structured differently
for students selecting a given grading option (e.g. Pass/Fail), the
difference in structure must be clearly explained.
The grading system used by each academic unit is stated in detail in
the appropriate sections of the Bulletin.
For the purposes of the procedures following, the term "schools"
refers to Harpur College, the Decker School of Nursing, the School of
Management, the School of Education, the College of Community and Public
Affairs, the Watson School, and the Graduate School. As defined by the
Graduate School By- Laws, the Graduate School consists of the graduate
components of all schools within Binghamton University.
- The specific grading system used in any school at Binghamton University
shall be the responsibility of the governing body charged with supervising
the academic program of the school. If a school elects to use a grading
system such as Pass/Fail, Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory, or some similar
alternative, the performance level equivalent to Pass, Satisfactory,
etc., shall be that level of achievement required for a degree from
that school. However, any school that permits only a limited number
of courses to be taken on a Pass/Fail or similar basis may specify
that the performance level for Pass, etc. can be lower than the overall
level of achievement required for a degree from that school.
- A certain degree of "cross- fertilization" among Binghamton's
schools and free use of elective courses within them is to be encouraged.
However, a school may set a limit to the number of courses from any
other school, either in to or from any particular school, that its
students may take for credit toward its degree. A school may also
impose restrictions with respect to the taking for credit of courses
in other schools that are essentially duplicative of courses offered
in the home school. The home school should ensure that other schools
are informed when restrictions of the latter kind are imposed. If
an individual student, a group of students, a faculty member, a department,
or a school feels that a particular school is being overly restrictive
in this regard, an appeal may be made to the Educational Policies
and Priorities Committee of the Faculty Senate.
- Students from any school who register in courses offered by another
school will be graded in accordance with the policies of the school
that offers the course and not by the policies of the school in which
the student is enrolled. However, in instances where the grading systems
of the two schools are not consonant, course instructors may consider
petitions received from students by the deadline date for adding new
courses to have their course performance evaluated in a manner consistent
with the grading policies established by the school in which they
are enrolled.
- If a school accepts a course taken in another school for credit
toward its degree, it must also accept and record the grade assigned
by the course instructor. The term "grade" indicates whatever
acceptable symbol was submitted by the instructor as an evaluation
of performance. However, if the grading system of the home school
permits a Pass/Fail, Satisfactory/ Unsatisfactory, or some similar
alternative, the school may allow its students to direct the Registrar
at the time of registration to convert the grade earned in a course
accepted from another school to the appropriate P/F, S/U, etc. formula.
This conversion procedure shall apply only to the Official Transcript
(external); the Institutional Record (internal) and the Grade Report
shall record the grade as assigned by the course instructor.
- Questions relating to a student's academic standing or rate of progress
shall be resolved according to the policies of the home school. As
a matter of general policy a school may choose to accept courses from
other schools for credit toward its degree only at certain specified
levels of performance (e.g., with earned grades of C or better). Moreover,
a school may use whatever data are obtainable from other schools (e.g.,
final course registration lists in addition to or in lieu of grades)
in determining rate of progress and academic standing for its own
students.
- A school may refuse to award credit for certain courses taken in
another school if these are the kinds of courses for which credit
would not be transferred from extramural institutions. It is the responsibility
of the student to obtain approval as required by the policies of the
home school before taking courses in another school. Schools will
publicize their practices in this regard as clearly as possible.
Examinations, papers, and other projects should be graded within a
reasonable time, and should be returned or made available to students
who wish to review them. It is also expected that comments and corrections
will be explained to students who seek explanations. Graded work not
returned to students should be kept for one semester following the end
of the course to allow a means of evaluating the work of students who
ask that a grade be reviewed.
It is the University's policy that all faculty members administer their
final or end- of- course examinations during the official Examination
Period, as scheduled by the Office of the University Registrar. Any
alternative scheduling within the official Examination Period must be
done in advance through that office. Faculty who wish to administer
final or end- of-course examinations outside the official Examination
Period must have permission of the deans of their schools. Faculty should
refer to the specific policies regarding final examinations in their
respective schools.
Faculty are expected to turn in all grades by the date they are due.
All final grades are due in the Office of the University Registrar no
later than 72 hours after the scheduled time of the final examination
or 72 hours after the last day of classes, if no final exam is given.
Grades for graduating seniors should be submitted within 48 hours of
the last day for exams during the spring period.
A grade not turned in by the day specified will result in a delay in
recording the grade and in reporting it to the student. Should the student
wish to know a grade for any reason before official notification, the
faculty member is expected to supply it. For purposes of demonstration
of accomplishment to an outside agency, the faculty member's note on
appropriate departmental stationery may be authenticated in the Office
of the University Registrar with the University Seal. (See also Faculty
Responsibilities and Leave Status in Section IV.)
Information about students, including but not limited to social security
numbers, birth dates, class schedules, grades, and grade point averages
are protected by the federal Family and Educational Rights and Privacy
Act (FERPA) of 1974 and its amendments. Employees of the University,
therefore, must not release student information to any outside parties
and must not post grade information on walls, doors, web sites, or any
other public place.
Student can check their final course grades on the Internet through
the BUSI (Binghamton University Student Information) system. In addition,
the Blackboard course management system offers a way for instructors
to post grades for student viewing in a secure environment.
Faculty are expected to remain available for personal consultation
with candidates for graduation for three working days after grades have
been posted. Faculty members should leave in department, division, or
deans' offices contact information where they may be reached by students.
Undergraduate
A notation of Incomplete, rather than a grade, may be reported by the
instructor when a student has not been able to complete a course for
what, in the instructor's judgment, is a compelling reason. The submission
of an Incomplete means that a student has made a substantial commitment
to the course, but some remainder of the work must still be accomplished
before an evaluation may be made.
Students must determine with the instructor what work is necessary
for completion of the course and when the work must be submitted.
Ordinarily all Incomplete notations must be replaced with grades by
the end of the next semester, whether or not the student is in college.
Incomplete notations change to an F grade at the end of the next semester
unless an official extension has been filed with the Registrar's Office.
It is the student's responsibility to initiate a request for an extension,
having reached agreement with the instructor for an alternate completion
date. The appropriate form, Request for Extension of Incomplete Grade
in an Undergraduate Course, may be obtained from the academic advising
office of the college or school in which the student is enrolled, or
from the Registrar's Office.
Graduate
An instructor may assign an Incomplete (I) when a student has done
most of the coursework and satisfactorily but, due to unforeseen circumstances,
has not completed the coursework. The Incomplete is not for the purpose
of converting a failing grade, or unsatisfactory work, to a passing
grade. The student must request the Incomplete option from the instructor,
but it is the instructor's decision as to whether or not it is appropriate.
Graduate students who are given a grade of I are given six months from
the last day of classes to make up the incomplete work. This is the
maximum allowed. However, the instructor and student should have a written
contract that indicates the timeline and requirements for completion.
The instructor may set a deadline sooner than the University maximum,
reflecting the instructor's availability to extend his or her commitment
beyond the course, but the instructor may not extend the University
period of six months. It is expected that, upon submission of the remaining
work, faculty will take no longer than one month to file a final letter
grade for the course. Students must, therefore, submit the remaining
work at least one month before the agreed-upon deadline or the University
six-month deadline, whichever comes first. Unless the student completes
the coursework and the instructor submits a final letter grade within
six months, a grade of I changes to a grade of Withdrawn (W). Once an
I has changed to a W, the student has no further opportunity to complete
the course, and the course will appear on the final transcript as Withdrawn.
Under exceptional circumstances only, the six-month grace period for
Incomplete grades may be extended for another six months. Requests for
extensions of Incomplete grades require the approval of the course instructor
and the dean of the Graduate School or designee. Requests must be made
at least one month before the six-month deadline.
The Incomplete policy has specific implications for students receiving
tuition scholarships and other kinds of financial aid and for international
students holding visas, as indicated below.
- Tuition Scholarships: When a student receives a tuition scholarship,
the University pays tuition for the courses taken by that student.
In a case in which an I converts to a W, the University has paid for
tuition for a course that was not completed. Furthermore, when the
student drops below the required number of registered courses, the
student has violated the conditions outlined in the Terms and Conditions
of the Tuition Scholarship (which is signed by the student). Students
receiving tuition scholarships should be aware that the University
will seek repayment of tuition that was paid for Incomplete courses
that turn into Withdrawn.
- Financial Aid: Graduate students who receive federal or state aid
may lose these benefits if they take Incompletes. See the Graduate
Academic Progress Charts in the Bulletin/Catalog for information on
the required number of completed credits per graduate level per semester.
- International Students: Student visas require that students be registered
as full time, so Withdrawn courses usually signal registration that
fell below full-time status.
All courses taken by graduate students are subject to the above policy.
Incomplete and missing grades must be resolved before students may receive
a graduate degree.
Some departments and programs may have more restrictive policies regarding
Incomplete grades, and students should make it a point to learn about
their department's rules and expectations.
Any grades not submitted by faculty members by the end of the semester
will be treated as missing grades and assigned the mark of Missing Grade
(MG).
No change may be made in a grade unless one of the following situations
occurs: (1) cheating is discovered; or (2) the instructor testifies
that a mechanical error has been made; or (3) where applicable, the
instructor may change a grade to Incomplete if satisfactory evidence
shows that events beyond control prevented the submission of a student's
required work. Normally, grade changes for the Fall semester should
be completed by the end of the second week of classes in the Spring
semester, and changes for the Spring semester should be completed by
four weeks after Commencement. Additionally, there is an absolute limit
of 18 months from the end of the semester during which the course was
taken to make changes in grades in Harpur College courses.
If a student has a complaint about a grade or other academic grievance,
the first step is to talk to the instructor involved. If the matter
is not settled satisfactorily, the student should contact the department
chair or division director about the complaint and submit the complaint
through the formal grievance procedure established by the department.
The department decision may, if the student still feels aggrieved, be
appealed to the appropriate dean.
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