Academic Policies Guide

Freedom in the Classroom, Attendance, Performance

A. In General 

Freedom of discussion and expression of views must be encouraged and protected. 

B. Conduct in the Classroom 

Both faculty and students are expected to conform to generally accepted standards of behavior and decorum. A faculty member may establish special standards for student conduct in their class with respect to such matters as smoking, seating, late arrival, exclusion for lack of preparation and the like. Such standards shall be reasonable and students shall be given due notice of such standards. Any such standards or the arbitrary administration thereof may be reviewed by the appropriate committee upon complaint of any student affected thereby. 

Should a conflict occur between a student and faculty member regarding behavior or any special standard, the student shall defer to the judgment of the faculty member, and take their complaint to the Executive Committee (or other appropriate committee). 

C. Attendance in Class 

Although attendance records are not regularly maintained, the accrediting agencies assume regular attendance in class; in addition, any faculty member may require attendance as a prerequisite to the taking of the examination in that course. See page 14. 

D. Performance in Class 

1. Seminar Courses

It is understood that in any course designated in the registration materials as a “seminar course,” all or part of the final grade may be based upon factors other than a final examination-such as classroom performance, including reasonable attendance, preparation of research papers, etc. A final examination may also be given, at the option of the faculty member. However, the final grades in such a course need not be computed under the “anonymous system” unless the sole factor in determining the grade is the final examination. 

2. Other Courses

In any other course, classroom performance including reasonable attendance may be used as a factor in determining the final grade of a student, in the discretion of the faculty member, provided that (a) due notice is given to the class and (b) the student’s grade shall not, on the basis of such performance, be raised or lowered more than one step, and in no event be lowered to an F. Any faculty member wishing to exercise this discretion shall (after their final examination papers have been graded and tentative grades submitted) receive a list of identifying examination numbers from the Office of Records and Registration, and it shall be the faculty member’s responsibility to prepare and transmit to the Office of Records and Registration a list of their final grades. The faculty member shall provide to the Office of Records and Registration a list of such students whose grade has been raised or lowered.