Main Content:
TEACHING INFORMATION
ACADEMIC FREEDOM
Academic freedom is essential to the mission of higher education, which is to allow and promote free inquiry into the total environment of human endeavor. A college exists for the purpose of examining the questions and issues arising out of that environment, including the past, the present and the future. Such freedom includes research, teaching and activities sanctioned by the college.
ADJUNCT FACULTY
Adjunct faculty are valued members of our academic community. Monthly meetings are planned to improve communications and discuss concerns unique to adjuncts.
ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR STUDENTS
Faculty members are to have their class attendance policy stated in writing and distributed to each student at the beginning of the semester. To avoid confusion, the attendance policy should be a written part of each course syllabus and distributed with that syllabus within the first week of class.
AUTHORITY
The College and its various divisions and departments reserve the right to change the rules controlling admission, instruction and graduation from the college or its various divisions. Such regulations are operative whenever the college authorities deem necessary and apply not only to prospective students but also to those currently enrolled in college. The college also reserves the right to withdraw courses, to reassign instructors and to change fees.
CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING (CTL)
A faculty member or team works together with administration planning activities to improve teaching and learning on campus as part of a larger MnSCU program.
CLASS CANCELLATIONS
Classes are canceled because of weather or other emergency, a faculty absence, or with the permission of an instructional administrator only. Please refer to WEATHER/EMERGENCY CLOSINGS under the SERVICES, FACILITIES, AND SPECIAL ORGANIZATIONS/PROGRAMS section of this handbook.
CLASS LISTS
Class lists are available to faculty on the Web.
CLASS SESSIONS
Classes meet for the entire class period as scheduled each day and evening from the beginning of the semester to the end. Please check the calendars for holidays, faculty association meetings and duty days and announce these to your classes and/or write them into your syllabus (ii). Classes are not canceled or rescheduled without the permission of an instructional administrator.
The basic semester credit is 16 class hours. A class period is usually 50 minutes unless otherwise indicated; however, because of compressed class schedules, distance learning offerings, and weekend and evening classes, class lengths vary. Alternate start dates added to the mix result in a many options for our students - a desirable goal. The Academic Scheduling Coordinator (285-7292) can answer questions about class lengths and offerings
CLASS SIZE OVERRIDE PROCEDURE
Any time a class is closed due to full enrollment, faculty must approve an increase in class size or an override for selected students.
For CCFA classes there are two important numbers: tally and max. Prior to each semester's registration period, the faculty teaching CCFA courses select a class size for the course they teach - the tally number, max number or somewhere in between. The tally number is that number that is the lowest initial class size allowed. The max number is that number that is the highest-class size allowed.
UTCE courses have an initial class size also that is usually submitted at the time proposed schedules are turned in. UTCE courses, however, usually do not have a tally/max configuration for class size. UTCE faculty must contact the Academic Scheduling Coordinator in the VP of Academic Affairs office in SS224 at 285-7292 to increase the class size or allow students to override the class size.
The information needed for an override is the student's name, student number (Stinger ID number or social security number), instructor's name and the course and section number to override. For CCFA courses, a check is made to determine if max size has been reached. If not, additional students can be allowed into the class. Faculty may not call in overrides for courses they are not teaching or that have not been staffed yet.
CLASSROOM USE
The UCR Scheduling Committee designed guidelines to maximize classroom space usage. Priority will be given to accommodate special health-related needs of the faculty and students in accordance with ADA regulations. General classroom design relative to class size, tables or tablet armchairs, and technology needs is used to determine classroom assignment. Every effort is made to schedule class sessions in one assigned room for the semester. After the above priorities have been met, consideration will be given to other teaching needs. Please contact the Academic Scheduling Coordinator in SS224 at 285-7292 for further information.
CURRICULUM
Changes in curriculum usually occur in four categories:
- New program development
- New course development
- Course revision
- Course completion
Curriculum Approval
MnSCU has a process for new program development that is available from
the deans or the VP of Academic Affairs. Forms for new courses, course
revision or deletion are available from the Office of the VP of Academic
Affairs. To present a proposal for approval:
Step 1 is to work on the correct proposal. Sharing your plans
and requesting assistance of colleagues and your Dean will also be helpful
at this stage.
Step 2 is Program or Division approval.
Step 3 is submitting your proposal to the office of the VP of Academic
Affairs where it will be distributed to the two faculty curriculum committees
and to the administration.
Step 4 is the appearance of the proposal on the agenda of Curriculum
Council. Curriculum Council meets monthly.
When necessary, as in the case of a new program, once approved, the proposal is submitted for state approval.
Curriculum Changes and Development Responsibility
Although many, if not most, proposals for curriculum come from faculty,
administration and faculty and in some cases staff may see a need for
new curriculum. The proposal is developed in consultation with appropriate
academic faculty, administrators, and advisory committees, emphasizing
feedback among all concerned. The proposal initiator has the primary responsibility
for the proposal at this stage. The Office of the Vice President of Academic
Affairs is responsible for curriculum and is available for assistance.
DROP/ADD-WITHDRAWAL
Once a student has completed registration for classes, changes in the schedule are allowed through the first five (5) days of the semester on the basis of space available. After the fifth day, the student may add the class only if space is available and with the instructor's consent. After the 10th day, the student is allowed to officially withdraw from a class through the Admissions and Records Office, but such a withdrawal must be made not later than the 60th day of the semester. This date is published in the college catalog, as well as posted around the campus. Instructors will receive notification from the Admissions and Records Office when a student officially withdraws. If a student does not officially withdraw, but merely stops attending class, a grade (usually an "F") must still be assigned at the end of the term.
DUTY DAYS
Please note the academic calendar. Holidays and non-teaching days should be noted on the syllabus.
EXCUSED ABSENCES FOR STUDENTS
RCTC students shall be excused from classes for approved college sponsored activities and course field trips. This policy is intended to permit students to participate in broadening learning experiences without jeopardizing their academic standing in courses. Students will not be penalized for participation in a college-wide approved activity or field trip.
Notification: The activity advisor or instructor will submit a list of students to be excused along with the dates and times of absence to the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs. If approved by the Vice President, the list will be published in the weekly staff communiqué.
Student's Responsibility: It is the student's responsibility to contact his/her instructor(s) prior to the absence to arrange to make up work to be missed.
Instructor's Responsibility: After the student contacts his/her instructor(s), the instructor's responsibility will be to arrange for make-up work or alternative assignments with students so that they are not penalized by their approved absence. It is understood that all learning experiences missed through absence may not be able to be replicated exactly.
FIELD TRIPS
Field trip funds are requested by faculty as part of the regular budgeting process through programs or divisions. A special concern of faculty has been student conduct on field trips. Faculty and administration have begun the process of creating a field trip policy. Until that process is complete the following is a list of suggestions based on the issues that seemed of most concern to faculty:
- Student conduct rules identified in The Student Handbook clearly point out that location away from campus does not change the rules of student conduct. Distributing a copy of this student conduct information and examples of violations and consequences each field trip participant is recommended.
- Faculty are responsible for seeing that student conduct rules are enforced.
- Incidents should be documented and reported as soon as possible.
- We strongly recommend that faculty create a student release form that outlines expectations for student conduct during the off campus experience. This document should address expectations about group travel, lodging, and general conduct as well as information about medical and emergency procedures.
FINAL EXAMS
All final examinations are to be given at the time and date designated during the last four days of the semester. A final exam schedule is published within one month after the start of classes. It is expected that examinations will be held in the same room in which classes regularly meet unless due to conflicts or arrangements are made with the Vice President of Academic Affairs prior to the examination period. Exceptions to the schedule will be allowed if approved in writing by the Vice President of Academic Affairs; otherwise, it is expected that classes will meet at the assigned time for a minimum of 50 minutes and a maximum of 1 hour and 45 minutes for the purpose of comprehensive final examinations, regular instruction or review. Students scheduled for three examinations in one day may request that one of their exams be rescheduled by contacting the instructors involved. Students who have more than one exam scheduled at the same hour may make individual arrangements with their instructor.
GRADING POLICY
Grading methods (defined sets of valid grades) are approved for each course through the curriculum process. The following grading methods, and corresponding valid grades, are the only grades that can be assigned. If a course has multiple approved grading methods, students must select their grading method by the end of the drop/add period. Individual student grading methods are listed on the Class Roster. Students must be graded according to the method list.
| Grading Method | Valid Grades |
| 01 Letter Grade | A, B, C, D, F, I* |
| 02 Pass/Fail | P**, F, I* |
| 03 Audit | AU*** |
| 04 Pass/No Credit |
P**, NC, I* |
*Requires completion of "Incomplete Request Form" signed by both the
student and the instructor.
**Student must achieve at a minimum of "C" level to receive a grade of
"P". Performance below "C" level will result in an "F" with grading method
02 or an "NC" with grading method 04.
***Students must request audit status by the end of the drop/add period.
Auditing students will appear on the class roster with a 03 grading method
and a grade of "AU" preprinted. Students with any other grading method
listed cannot be assigned an audit grade at the end of the term.
A grade of "W" is valid for all grading methods but must be student-initiated prior to the deadline each term. "W"s will be preprinted on the grading forms and cannot be assigned by the instructor.
Non-Valid Grades
The college does not currently use any of the following grading symbols:
S, U, R, RX, V, NP, WP, +, or - These symbols may not be assigned to any
student under any circumstance.
| STEP 1: REVIEW THE GENERAL INFORMATION "ABOUT THE GRADES." It is imperative that you use only approved and appropriate grading symbols for each course. |
About the grades...
- Each student must be assigned a grade.
- Most courses have only A-F grading. Other grading symbols are not available unless they have been approved by Curriculum specifically for that course. An inappropriate grading symbol will generate an error listing and will have to be changed to an approved grade.
- RCTC does not use grade shading so do not enter pluses or minuses in the Grade Shade column.
- In courses that have both AF and P/F grading options, students must have submitted a request for P/F grading to the instructor and the Admissions and Records Office by the 10th day of the term in order to be assigned a grade of "P." (Achievement must be a "C" level or better in order to receive a "P"). Grading options for each student are displayed in the Class Roster window. (Access by clicking "View" in the Roster column.) The student must be graded using the method listed. Any discrepancies or questions should be directed to Nancy at 285-7461.
- A grade of "NC" may be assigned only in courses that have been approved through Curriculum for P/NC grading.
- Grades of "W" and "AU" will be preprinted and cannot be assigned at the end of the term.
- An incomplete ("I") may be assigned only if the appropriate form is completed and submitted to the Admissions and Records. Any Incomplete assigned without an accompanying request form will be changed to an "F." Incompletes must be reported for a grade to the Admissions and Records Office by the end of the following semester.
| Step 2: ENTER GRADES. The window will be open for a specified period of time. All grades are due no later than the announced deadline. |
- From the RCTC home page, follow the Web Registration Links to the sign-in screen, log-in by entering your Stinger ID and PIN number.
- If you have never accessed the system before, you will need to change your PIN number next. The following screen will prompt you.
- When you get to the Welcome screen, choose Class List/Grade Entry from the menu options on the left. The courses that have your name listed as the instructor will display.
- Click on the Enter Grades link to display the Grade Data Entry window,
where you can enter grades for the students in your courses.
The message "There are more than 50 students in this course. You must repeat the grade entry process upon completion of this entry form" displays when there are more than fifty students enrolled in a course. Once grades have been entered for the first fifty students, click on the Process button and complete the rest of the grade entry procedure. When the whole procedure is complete, start the process over for this course to enter grades for the remaining fifty students, or the next fifty. - Click on the Process button when grade input for each student is complete. Below the grade entry roster are two buttons: Process and Reset. Click on the Reset button to clear all entries in the Grade column. Grades entered are not stored
- After clicking on the Process button, the Confirm Your Request and
Verify PIN window displays. At this point, verify all grades entered
are correct. When complete, enter your PIN number and click on the Process
Request button. The grades will then be stored in the SCANNED_GRADES
table. Clicking on the Cancel button returns you to the List of Classes
window.
Note: No grades are stored when you select the Cancel button.
Note: Grades are stored in the SCANNED_GRADES table. Students cannot view their grades until they are stored in the ST_COU table. This happens when the Update Scanned Grades to ST_COU report (CT0163CB) is run in ISRS after all grades are in. - Grade Results: After verifying the grades entered, entering your PIN
number and clicking on the Process Request button, the Grade Results
window displays. This window displays all students in the course for
which you just entered grades. Displayed on this screen are all grades
that have been entered for a student from any of the following procedures:
- Grades entered directly into ISRS using Grade Data Entry screens.
- Grades entered from using Grade Scan Sheets
- Grades entered from the ISRS Web Functions.
- The message "Your grade entry was saved successfully." displays above the list of students. At this point you may wish to print a copy to retain for your own records.
The message "Your grade entry was saved successfully." Displays above the list of students. At this point you may wish to print a copy to retain for your own records.
Important: When you have finished entering grades and are ready to exit, click on the Logout link.
| Step 3: COMPLETE THE GRADE SHEET DISCREPANCY FORM. Enclosed is a form for recording any discrepancies; please list any student who has completed your class for a grade whose name does not appear on the grade report form. Also, please identify any student who is listed but has never attended your class. A student who has not attended, and has not officially withdrawn, must still be assigned a grade (usually an "F"). |
| Step 4: RETURN THE DISCREPANCY FORM (please be sure to sign and date) and INCOMPLETE FORMS (if applicable) to the Admissions and Records Office, Box 7. |
Notes:
- You may enter grades only once per term via the web. Once you have completed the process, you must come to the Admissions and Records Office to submit any changes or corrections.
- Remember to log out when you are finished or interrupted. (Please reference the document "Web Security Issues" for additional security points to be cognizant of).
Questions??
- Can't get logged in - contact Admissions and Records (285-7268).
- General process issues or questions - contact Admissions and Records.
- Taught a course that is not listed on the "List of Classes" screen (or a course appears there that you did not teach) - contact Academic Affairs Office.
- Approved grading methods for specific courses, questions or issues - contact Academic Affairs Office.
Clearly, security is a critical issue when accessing the web to view course enrollment lists or enter student grades. The information contained on the Class Roster or Grade Data Entry screens is absolutely CONFIDENTIAL and the college cannot risk unauthorized access to student data. Please make absolutely certain that there is no opportunity for anyone but you to access these screens. The most basic security principles apply here: never share your log-in codes with anyone else or inadvertently make it possible for someone to obtain them without your permission, and always log-out when you are finished or interrupted.
In addition to the basic principles above, the following security points apply:
- Do not use a PIN number that can be easily guessed by others.
- Be aware of what is visible on the screen if someone enters your office and take proper precautions to keep confidential data from being inappropriately displayed/viewed.
- Pick documents up from the printer immediately after printing.
- Be sure you know where your print jobs are going; if you print something that doesn't output at the location you expect, be sure it isn't laying unattended on another printer.
Safeguarding the confidentiality of student data in general and of academic performance in particular is a mission critical responsibility regardless of what format is used to report and record grades. All college faculty and staff need to be constantly focusing on security issues and cognizant of their responsibilities in terms of student confidentiality and data integrity.
Academic Standing
The grade point average for determining academic standing and qualifications
for graduation is obtained by adding grade points for all college work
attempted at the college and dividing the total by the sum of all credits
for which grades of A, B, C, D and F have been assigned.
Grades will be available on the Web after the end of the semester.
A "D" shall be the minimum grade at the college except in programs that have designated "C" as the minimum in the major course area in order to meet professional, state or community standards. The courses requiring "C" shall be recommended by a program's faculty and advisory committee.
Students not meeting the minimum standards as approved for the program shall be:
- forewarned in writing, and
- given an opportunity to receive extra assistance in meeting requirements.
Students having academic difficulty may be referred to the Student Support Services Program (SSSP).
Students may have the right to appeal any decision affecting continuation in a college program according to college appeal policies. This procedure in no way affects the 2.00 overall GPA requirement for graduation from Rochester Community and Technical College.
Pass/Fail Grading
RCTC offers some courses under a pass/fail grading option. Contact the
instructional division for more information about these courses. Students
electing the P/F option in any of these courses must indicate their intent
by completing and submitting the appropriate form no later than the 16th
class day of the semester or selecting the P/F option when registering.
A "P" requires performance at the "C" level or better. Performance below
the "C" level will result in an "F".
Reporting Grades
The forms for reporting final grades will be delivered to you through
the college mail or via the Web one week before the end of the semester.
The cover letter will give the date when the completed Grade Report Forms
are due back to the Admissions and Records Office.
A grade is to be to entered for every name on the grade list. Remember the P/F grading option is limited to a specific set of course and then only if the student requested that grading option.
The Grade Report Form will ask you to list the grade for a student in two places and to darken a circle in the gird for the appropriate grade assigned. Mark sensing equipment will read the grade from the grid. Please use a No. 2 pencil and darken the entire circle to ensure a correct recording of the grade. Also, please do not fold, wrinkle, tear, or otherwise mistreat these Grade Report Forms. The equipment used to read the grade reports is very sensitive and will not read an entire sheet of grades if that sheet has any blemishes. If the grade sheet is not read mechanically, the grades for that class have to be entered individually from the Admissions and Records Office at RCTC. This process delays the processing of the grades and also then delays the grade reporting back to the student. Incompletes: If you assign an "Incomplete" the incomplete should be made up and reported to the Admissions and Records office no later than the end of the following semester. To report a change of grade, the instructor must complete the appropriate Grade Change Form and sign the grade change log in the Admissions and Records Office.
Beginning with Fall 1999 semester, faculty may be able to enter final semester grades themselves on the web. The records office is working hard to make this possible, so watch for announcements of faculty training sessions. Also, inform students that they must access their grades on the web; the days of printed grade reports are gone.
If you have questions regarding class lists or the grade reporting process, please call the Admissions and Records Office at 285-7265.
INDEPENDENT STUDY
The following two types of Independent Study are available for our students.
Regular Course
This Independent Study enables a student to complete an RCTC course when
it is not possible to attend a required class because of unavoidable conflicts.
Independent Study courses should start and end as near to the beginning
and end of the regular term as possible. Students should keep a complete
copy of all course materials.
Specially-Designed
This independent Study enables a student to develop, with a faculty member,
an educational plan for enrichment or focus on a special area of interest.
The courses should start and end as near as possible to the beginning
and end of the regular term. Students who intent to engage in a specially-designed
course with a specific instructor should have established a working relationships
within the discipline (this normally means that the student has taken
at least one course in the discipline.) Students should keep a complete
copy of all materials.
Independent study cannot be used to validate existing knowledge or competencies. (Credit by Exam or Credit for Prior Learning can be used for this purpose.) Independent Study funds are limited.
General Directions
- Students obtain a form in the Office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs (SS220) or the Facilities Office (CF105.) (Appropriate administrator or division coordinator will be designed.)
- Students meet with faculty member, complete form, and attach a course outline or syllabus. In addition, a) any additional readings/learning activities in lieu of class; b) methods of evaluation and grade computation; c) plan for student/instructor communication/meetings.
- Student meets with dean or division coordinator for approval and signature.
- Student meets with Vice President of Academic Affairs Secretary (SS220) or Scheduling Coordinator (CF105) to have the course added to computer for registration.
- Student registers with Admissions and Records Office 6. Student pays tuition at the Business Office.
OFFICE HOURS
All instructors are expected to have one posted office hour for each three credits of assigned teaching load. Instructor office hours, office number, and phone number should be listed in course syllabus. Please announce your office hours to your classes and provide your secretary with a schedule of your office hours, which will be compiled in a campus booklet for easy student and staff access and meeting scheduling. Your class and office hours schedule should be posted on your office door.
SECRETARIAL SUPPORT
Secretarial support services for faculty are available 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please check the beginning and ending time and amount of hours for your primary secretary; these do vary. Allow as much time as possible for typing and duplicating services. The instructional secretaries' top priority is to provide support for classroom teaching. In addition, they serve as back-up for faculty phone calls, pickup and delivery of mail and duplicating. Other duties are dependent on the needs of the department/area they support. An instructional secretary should not be asked to proctor tests or sit in on classes; this is not their responsibility.
STUDENT COMPLAINTS
If a student has a concern, they are encouraged to visit first with their instructor. If that does not resolve the concern, the student should be referred to division coordinator or program leader or the responsible dean. Student complaint and grievance procedures are found in the Student Handbook.
SYLLABI
MnSCU Policy 3.22 requires that each faculty member distribute a syllabus to each class within one week of the first class meeting. Condensed class formats should adjust the time frame for distribution. Please contact your Division Chair or Mentor for samples of colleague's syllabi. Division Chair and Program Leaders gather a copy of syllabi after the first week of classes and forward them to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for future reference.
