Classroom Expectations & Ethics

"Sometimes we must do more than our best; we must do what is required."  -Winston Churchill

Attendance

1. As a major aspect of the university experience is the interaction between student and instructor, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor expects regular and punctual attendance in class. Individual instructors, due to their particular course of study, may have more specific attendance requirements cited in their syllabi.
2. Punctuality is deemed to be as important as attendance because tardiness is undesirable for most of life's events.
3. Students coming to class late are responsible for checking with the instructor to make sure they were not marked absent.
4. The student must inform the instructor of university excused absences in advance of that absence. This will allow a reasonable opportunity for the student to make up work missed. If it is not feasible for the student to make up work, some allowance may be made in order that the student not be overly penalized.
5. Absences are counted from the first class session of the term. It is the student's responsibility to approach the instructor regarding making up the work for any missed classes.

Academic Honesty

At the university level of the student's education, honesty and integrity are expected in all approaches to learning. In order to maintain academic honesty and integrity two primary areas must be addressed.

Plagiarism (exemplified by but not restricted to):

• The offering of any work done by another as your own work.
• Using quotations or the paraphrase of a quote within your work without citing the source.
• Using a paper for one course that was prepared for another course without both instructors' knowledge and permission.

Academic Honesty (exemplified by but not restricted to):

• Providing your fair share of input and effort for all group work that is required in a course.
• Preparing for every class that you attend.  This includes careful reading of assignments, being prepared to participate in discussions and completing any mini-assignments.
• Preparing the answers for take home exams using the appropriate materials but without the assistance of any other person or persons.
• Refraining from giving, receiving, or obtaining information about exams unless authorized by the instructor.
• Refraining from using any materials during exams that have not been approved by the instructor.
• Refraining from consulting with others during exams or classroom discussions unless explicitly authorized to do so by the instructor.

All acts of Plagiarism or violations of Academic Honesty are considered serious offenses and may result in failure of the assignment or the course.

Academic Decorum

The learning process involves an exchange of ideas and an exploration of concepts between faculty and students. A certain level of decorum facilitates this process for learners and teachers. Behaviors can also disrupt it. Use the following examples as guides to behaviors that support learning. Avoid those which disrupt the learning process.

Supportive Actions include:

• Coming to class prepared including reading all assignments.
• Being attentive and responsive in class.
• Respecting fellow students' opinions and ideas.
• Contributing to the class by making topic specific comments.
• Offering critiques and alternative ideas in a non-condescending manner.
• Providing a fair share of work to group projects and team activities.
• Supporting the rights of classmates to contribute, even when disagreeing with content.
• Challenging or questioning the instruction in a non-threatening/non-demanding manner.

Examples of disruptive behaviors to avoid include:

• Sleeping in class.
• Talking in class or lab while the instructor is teaching.
• Using cell phone or beepers while in class.
• Walking out of class during instruction.
• Passing notes to classmates while class is in session.