Fall 2004
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A course syllabus is a legally written contract between instructors and students. It binds students who wish to be successful in a course to a plan they should follow, and similarly binds the instructor to the same plan. The syllabus organizes the learning experiences of the course and lists the planned activities, which assist students in achieving course objectives.

The syllabus is the instructional road map for the student and the instructor. If an instructor wishes to change the itinerary, it is his or her prerogative to do so, but students should receive a written revised syllabus.

The course syllabus is a reflection of each instructor, his/her ability, and the quality of his/her work. It sets the mood of the course. Prepare it carefully to communicate clear, concise information.

A course syllabus:

• Helps an instructor plan and organize the course by providing sufficient information to students.
• Helps an instructor communicate plans for the progression and sequence of the learning experiences, classroom procedures, and college and/or instructor policies.
• Indicates to students what to expect and what will be expected of them.
• Helps students prepare for class and keep current if they are absent.
• Guides students through learning activities and requirements for course completion.

Each student is to receive an individualized course syllabus at the beginning of the course.

If it is in your policy, clearly state it in the educational contract…remember.
Begin with the end in mind.

• Name of the course
• Course number
• Course description (Can be the one in the catalog or your own)
• Course objectives
• Required text
• Supplemental material
• Course overview (Purpose of the course, topics to be covered)

• Name
• Office location
• Office hours (college policy requires five office hours for full-time faculty)
• Phone numbers, FAX number, E-mail/Web page address

• Attendance Policy
• Late/make-up assignments
• Extra credit work (if applicable)
• Class/lab relationships (if applicable)

• Academic honesty
• Communicable Diseases and Emergency Evacuation
• Student Rights and Responsibilities and Grievance Procedures
• Withdrawal from Class (W, WP, WF or NS Grade)

• Days when class is offered
• Class times
• Location of class and lab sessions
• Calendar of class meetings which provides relevant dates for assigned course topics, lectures, readings, projects, exams as well as holidays and important dates.
• Work requirements should be specifically stated in terms of what the expectations are, how much they will count to the course grade, due dates for homework and reading assignments, projects, term papers, unit exams, final exams, etc.
• Grading and Evaluation (the number of tests, weighting for exams, percentage of grade based on tests, papers, projects, class participation, extra credit and criteria for other assignments.
• Grading Scale
• References/readings that are optional but recommended

Syllabus should end with this caveat: "The above schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances."

The faculty and administration of Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) believe that regular attendance and participation in classes is essential for the education of every student.

We also recognize that circumstances sometimes prevent students from attending regularly. However, the college administration sees excessive absenteeism as a very serious matter.

Specific consequences of such absences are determined by individual instructors and departments. The following rules, however, apply across the College:

ALL instructors must inform students, in writing, in each class that they teach of the exact attendance requirements and the consequences for not meeting them. Such notice should be delivered at the first meeting of each class.

Students should make arrangements with their instructors, in advance of an absence whenever possible, for making up missed work.

The College faculty and administration expect that the individual faculty members will recognize that athletic events, class trips, trips abroad, student organization activities, and the like are a necessary and desirable part of life at GRCC, and the faculty members will extend to each other the professional courtesy of permitting students to miss their classes as these activities dictate. Students must understand, however, that they are responsible for all class work missed under such circumstances.

The College makes no distinction between "excused" and "unexcused" absences. If students are not present in a class in which they are enrolled they are simply absent, regardless of the reason. Class records or unofficial records must reflect accurate drop/withdrawal dates.

GRCC holds high ideals of academic and personal honesty and expects every student to do likewise. Dishonest acts like cheating, lying, and plagiarism will not be tolerated.

GRCC students and student employees are prohibited from unlawful possession, use, manufacture or distribution of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, psychologically or physiologically altering chemicals or associated paraphernalia on the College campus.

A student or student employee who illegally uses or sells alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, or associated paraphernalia on the GRCC campus or while representing the College faces College disciplinary action and prosecution under local, state, and federal law. Disciplinary actions may include but are not limited to mandatory counseling and evaluation/testing, suspension, dismissal and/or termination as a student employee.

To assist persons in avoiding substance abuse problems and related health risks, students may seek free, confidential counseling in the Counseling Center. They are also encouraged to attend College substance awareness workshops, seminars, and classes.

Questions relating to the policy and procedures may be directed to the Dean of Student Services in the Community Center or by calling 234-3925.

Copies of these policies are available in the SAO and Office of the Dean of Student Services.

Students admitted to GRCC are subject to the jurisdiction of the College during their enrollment. Students are expected to conduct themselves as responsible adults and in accordance with the interests and regulations of the College. Since admission to GRCC is a privilege extended to qualified students only, the College reserves the right to deny admission to any students of questionable character or with past records of improper social conduct: or if in the judgement of the appropriate College official the student cannot benefit from any College course, curriculum or program. When, in the opinion of the administration of the College, students act in violation of the interests of the College, they may be disqualified from further attendance.

Plagiarism is defined as intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another person as ones own in an academic exercise. For example:

Direct quotations must be identified by quotation marks or appropriate indentation, and must be cited in a footnote or endnote.

Prompt acknowledgment in the body of the exercise is required when material from another source is paraphrased or summarized, in whole or in part, in ones own words. Then conclude with a footnote or endnote identifying the exact reference.

Borrowed facts, information gained in reading or research, which is not common knowledge among students in the course, must be acknowledged. Examples of common knowledge include the names of leaders or prominent nations, basic scientific laws, etc.

Computer misuse is defined as disruptive or illegal use of computer resources. No student may access, copy, examine, modify, utilize, or destroy any computer equipment, hardware, software, or file that is not specifically intended for his/her own personal use, without written permission (see College’s Computer Agreement).

Academic dishonesty also includes intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another commit an act of academic dishonesty. The consequences of academic dishonesty may vary according to circumstances. Actions that could be taken include, but are not limited to, a failing grade for the work involved, failure in the course, and/or removal from the program.

The "withdrawal" process is used to correct enrollment problems or because of unexpected or unusual events of catastrophic impact. Students must initiate all drops. A student may drop a class and receive a "W" until the date of 70% of class completion, as noted on the instructor’s class roster. There is no penalty to the student receiving a "W" in the Grand Rapids Community College grading system. The WP, WF or NS may be assigned by an instructor when they grade students, but Faculty may not award a "W" as a grade. The student may continue to attend, upon agreement with the instructor. There is no penalty to the student receiving a WP, WF or NS in the Grand Rapids Community College grading system. Students will not be able to initiate a drop during the final 30% of the class. The student will receive the grade they have earned (A, B, C, D, E, WP, WF, NS) based upon graded and missed work.