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Spring 2021 Information for Faculty

Syllabus Statements

For synchronous class recordings:
This class will be video recorded…

(choose one)

  1. …and a link to the recording and transcript will be posted to Moodle for you to access after class.
  2. …and a link to the audio recording and transcript will be posted to Moodle for you to access after class.
  3. …but the recording will not be posted to Moodle. If you encounter barriers to being able to attend a synchronous class (either due to illness, care for a sick family member, an inability to access the internet, etc.), please email me and (depending on a number of factors) I will provide you with either the video recording, the audio recording, or a transcript of the class.

(Optional) I will not, however, be recording those classes where we will be discussing sensitive topics.  For such classes I will have the guiding discussion questions and will provide them upon request to students who present a valid reason for not having attended class.

This class may also be audio recorded by those students who have an accommodation to do so as granted by Access and Disability Services (ADS). Recording of any session in this course other than for the above purposes is strictly prohibited, and would be a breach of Dickinson’s Community Standards. It may also be a violation of Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance laws.

For asynchronous class recordings:
Students may not share, send, post, publish, make public, or duplicate any recordings without the written authorization of those recorded. Failure to abide by these rules is a breach of privacy and a violation of copyright laws. It is furthermore considered a serious violation of Dickinson College Community Standards and subject to disciplinary action. Unless informed otherwise, students are to destroy any recordings shared by their professors at the end of the semester. Thank you for your compliance.


Use of student’s computer cameras (encouraging but not requiring):
Active participation is an important and valued expectation for this class. To promote a positive class community as well as meaningful and engaging exchanges of ideas, I’d like us all to have our Zoom cameras on during synchronous classes, whenever possible, but I understand that this may not always be possible. If you believe having your camera on will be problematic for you, please schedule a time to connect with me about it in the first week of classes.


For extenuating circumstances:
If you're unable to attend class due to illness or extenuating circumstances, please notify me in advance. I will alert the CARE team and your advisor of multiple or extended absences at my discretion.


Accommodating Students with Disabilities
REQUIRED 
current disability accommodations-related statement:
Dickinson values diverse types of learners and is committed to ensuring that each student is afforded equitable access to participate in all learning experiences. If you have (or think you may have) a learning difference or a disability – including a mental health, medical, or physical impairment – that would hinder your access to learning or demonstrating knowledge in this class, please contact Access and Disability Services (ADS).  They will confidentially explain the accommodation request process and the type of documentation that Dean and Director Marni Jones will need to determine your eligibility for reasonable accommodations. 

To learn more about available supports, go to www.dickinson.edu/ADS or email access@dickinson.edu.

If you’ve already been granted accommodations at Dickinson, please follow the guidance at www.dickinson.edu/AccessPlan for disclosing the accommodations for which you are eligible and scheduling a meeting with me as soon as possible so that we can discuss your accommodations and finalize your Access Plan. If test proctoring will be needed from ADS, remember that we will need to complete your Access Plan in time to give them at least one week’s advance notice. 
 

SOAR: Academic Success Support and More
Students can find a wealth of strategic guidance by going to www.dickinson.edu/SOAR. This website for SOAR: Strategies, Organization, and Achievement Resources, includes apps, tips, and other resources related to time management, study skills, memory strategies, note-taking, test-taking, and more. You’ll also find guidance aimed to help students “SOAR Through Remote Learning,” as well as a schedule of academic success workshops offered through Academic Advising. If you’d like to request one-on-one assistance with developing a strategy for a manageable and academically successful semester, email SOAR@dickinson.edu.
 

The following are optional (but recommended) examples of statements that address Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:

Academic integrity will be taken very seriously in this course.  Students who violate College rules on scholastic dishonesty will be subject to disciplinary action, which include the possible failure of the course and/or dismissal from the College.  For a laughably brief take on this complicated issue, follow these guidelines: 1) do your own work; clear any collaborations ahead of time and give full credit; 2) cite your sources fully and explicitly; and 3) for quotations, use quotation marks and cite fully; for summary or paraphrase, cite fully and explicitly at the end of the relevant paragraph or sentence.  For further details, please read carefully and be familiar with the Community Standards on the Dickinson College website https://www.dickinson.edu/download/downloads/id/963/community_standards

The Dickinson College Plagiarism Policy:
To plagiarize is to use without proper citation or acknowledgment the words, ideas or original research of another. Whenever one relies on someone else for phraseology, even for only two or three words, one must acknowledge indebtedness by using quotation marks and giving the source, either in the text or in a footnote. When one borrows facts which are not matters of general knowledge--including all statistics--one must indicate one's indebtedness in the text or footnote. When one borrows an idea or the logic of an agreement, one must acknowledge indebtedness either in a footnote or in the text. When in doubt--footnote.

Most plagiarism is unintentional, the result of ignorance or inaccurate note-taking. Your paper, however, cannot be evaluated by guesses about your intention; it can only be evaluated as it exists. Whether the plagiarism is intentional or inadvertent, the penalty is severe. Read the discussion and examples carefully; if you have questions, consult with your instructor.
 

Policy Variations Approved By APSC for Spring, Summer and Fall 2021

"Study Abroad at Home"

International students in China, Vietnam, England and South Korea will continue to be permitted to study in person at a college/university in their home country in Spring 2021.  International students will also be able to petition to study abroad at a university in their home country in a non-Dickinson program (with all of the same stipulations as before) through the spring 2021 semester.

RationaleCSGE wants to have these options available to international students, so they can make the best decisions based on the decision Dickinson has made regarding the spring semester. This would be for students who still may not be able to enter the US or who may not want to come back in the spring due to health and safety concerns.

Approved by APSC 10/19/2020


EcoLeague Remote Courses Spring 2021

Dickinson students will be permitted to enroll in a remote course offered at other EcoLeague campuses in Spring 2021, and other EcoLeague students will be permitted to enroll in one Dickinson course on a space available basis, with permission of the instructor.

Approved by APSC 10/26/2020


Modification to Transfer Credit Policy for Winter/J-term 2020-21   

Students will be permitted to transfer in online coursework with the following conditions:   

  • All coursework must receive prior approval of the Registrar in consultation with the student’s advisor.
  • All coursework must be taken between December 1, 2020 and the start of Dickinson’s Spring 2021 semester (January 25, 2021).
  • All coursework must still meet all of the other transfer credit criteria – this includes the limitation that students “may receive up to a total of four (4) transfer credits for summer and/or January study at other approved institutions. ([Students] may take courses during one or more summer and January sessions as long as the total number of transfer credits do not exceed four (4) courses.)” https://www.dickinson.edu/info/20088/registrar_s_office/219/policy_faqs/4

RationaleThis would align with the decision that was approved for Summer 2020 and would be especially beneficial to students with a May 2021 anticipated graduation date.

Approved by APSC 11/9/2020
 

Spring 2021 Course Grading

  • Faculty have the option to assign Pass/Fail grades for an entire section.  They must notify the Registrar’s Office and the students in their class no later than Friday, January 22, 2021.
  • Students have the option of choosing Pass/Fail grading for any or all of their spring courses by submitting the online Pass/Fail Form no later than Friday, April 23, 2021. The instructor must sign the form indicating they have consulted with the student about their choice.
  • Courses taken on a Pass/Fail basis in Spring 2021 can count toward graduation, major, minor or certificate requirements. 
  • Pass/Fail grades from the Spring 2021 semester do not count against the normal limit of four Pass/Fail courses during a student’s career at Dickinson.
  • The option to take courses for Credit/No Credit will not be permitted.

RationaleThis flexibility acknowledges the varying environments in which students will be taking classes in the spring.  The faculty deadline provides students the information prior to their deadline for adding/dropping classes.  The student deadline was extended so that students can gauge how they are doing in the second part of the flip semester before making a decision.  It coincides with the deadline to withdraw from classes. Instructors are required to electronically sign the form to ensure they have had a conversation with the student about their choice, not as an indication of their approval for the student to take the course Pass/Fail.

Approved by APSC 11/9/2020


Non-matriculated Students

For Spring 2021, all non-matriculated students will attend classes remotely.

RationaleNon-matriculated students include Britton scholars, dependents of International Fellows at the Army War College, community members and Gettysburg College ROTC cadets.  APSC based their decision on health and safety concerns in bringing this group to campus for classes.

Approved by APSC 11/23/2020
 

Students Living on Campus for the Full Spring Semester

Students approved to reside on campus for the full spring semester due to specific circumstances should be permitted to attend their in-person classes for the full semester as long as there is space in the classroom.

Approved by APSC 11/23/2020
 

Final Exam Policy

The final exam policy will remain as it is currently. “No final tests or examinations (with the exception of laboratory finals) will be given in the last five class days of the semester or during the reading period. Tests that are part of the regular semester schedule, but which are not final examinations, may be scheduled during the last five class days, but not on reading days.”

Spring 2021 exams will be offered remotely.

Approved by APSC 11/23/2020


Final exams are set in three-hour time blocks and students should be allotted that amount of time to complete the exam.

Approved by APSC 12/7/2020


Summer School 2021

Students will be permitted to transfer remote courses from another institution offered in Summer School 2021 with the following conditions:   

  • All coursework must receive prior approval of the Registrar in consultation with the student’s advisor.
  • All coursework must still meet all of the other transfer credit criteria – this includes the limitation that students “may receive up to a total of four (4) transfer credits for summer and/or January study at other approved institutions. ([Students] may take courses during one or more summer and January sessions as long as the total number of transfer credits do not exceed four (4) courses.)” https://www.dickinson.edu/info/20088/registrar_s_office/219/policy_faqs/4 

Approved by APSC 12/7/2020


Argentina and Brazil Study Abroad Centers Fall 2021

Due to the continuing pandemic, faculty at the centers in Argentina and Brazil will again offer remote instruction of regular Dickinson courses during the Fall 2021 semester.  

Approved by APSC 2/22/2021


EcoLeague Remote Courses Fall 2021

Dickinson students will be permitted to enroll in a remote course offered at other EcoLeague campuses in Fall 2021, and other EcoLeague students will be permitted to enroll in one Dickinson course on a space available basis, with permission of the instructor.

Approved by APSC 4/12/2021


Policy for Transfer Credits for Students Transferring to Dickinson

Students transferring to Dickinson in Fall 2021 or Spring 2022 will be permitted to transfer credits for courses taken during the time of the pandemic - Spring 2020, Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 - regardless of how the course was taught (hybrid, hyflex, remote, virtual or in-person).

Approved by APSC 4/19/2021
 

Policy for Transfer Credits for Students Entering Dickinson College

Students entering Dickinson as first-year students in Fall 2021 or Spring 2022 will be permitted to transfer credits for courses taken during the time of the pandemic - Spring 2020, Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 - regardless of how the course was taught (hybrid, hyflex, remote, virtual or in-person).
Approved by APSC 5/17/2021