Due dates are like targets. They are your goal, and you should always strive to meet them. Getting behind is an overwhelming feeling and can easily cause you to not pass this class. If you feel you are falling behind, please contact me so we can work together to resolve the issue. Keeping in touch with me is important.  Check my course announcements and the course calendar to identify due dates for all work.

It is ultimately your responsibility to drop the class, so you should monitor your grade and the college drop deadlines. If there is something happening in your life that is interfering with this course, please contact me directly so we can develop a plan for you to succeed. If I do not hear from you and you do not submit assignments, it will indicate to me that you are not interested in completing the course.

In this course, you will demonstrate your learning through writing, speaking, and creating assignments. Plagiarism is the use of another person’s ideas as your own and it includes writing, speaking, and creative projects. When you respond to an assignment prompt, I expect you to craft your answer in your own words. I don’t expect you to be an expert in the material in our course – you’re learning! I am looking for evidence of your growth and development.  You may be surprised how easy it is for an instructor to identify when a student has lifted words from a webpage. So, please do not do it. Take the time to learn the material, take a close look at the rubric provided with each assignment, and respond independently. If an assignment requires research, then I will expect citations of sources and I will provide information about how to format them.  According to the rules and regulation of MSJC’s student conduct (Section 605.04B Board Policy): “Cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty” are subject to disciplinary sanctions. If you have any questions about plagiarism, let me know. I am happy to help.  Academic integrity means that all the work you do in this course (exams, quizzes, reports, papers, etc.) is your OWN work and no one else’s.  It includes not cheating on exams or quizzes in any way, as well as avoiding plagiarism in your writing.  Plagiarism is using anyone else’s work or ideas without proper attribution.  This means that if you quote, paraphrase, or even describe in your own words, an idea that comes from someone else’s writing, you MUST acknowledge that author in parentheses at the end of the sentence or sentences in which you have summarized his or her idea.  Plagiarism, whether intentional or not, is taken seriously and can result in a failing grade.  It is almost always very obvious if you do it, so do not risk it.  If you are not sure how to reference a source, ask the instructor for help.  Your instructor adheres to CUNY policy on academic integrity, which can be found in your student handbook or online at http://www.kingborough.edu/Academic_Integrity_Policy.pdf.  These sources explain the policy in detail and give examples.  Please be aware that academic dishonesty may result in a failing grade on the exam or in the course, as well as dismissal from the college.  Additional websites that may be of use include:  turnitin.com, citationmachine.com and plagiarism.org.  (Polizzotto, K., personal communication, 2008).  Any work that is plagiarized, whether intentional or not, will earn a grade of zero.  Subsequent offenses will result in formal reprimands as stated above.

Civility Statement

As an institution of higher education, Kingsborough Community College and its faculty and staff are committed to its entire student body. As such, we strive to interact with each student equitably and professionally while providing an environment of mutual respect and civility.   In the event a student has an allegation charge brought against him/her that is a breach of the Henderson Rules to Maintain Public Order or the Campus Code of Conduct, an immediate investigation will commence followed by a conciliation conference to determine the appropriate outcome within a thirty-day period.  The Judicial Affairs process at Kingsborough Community College is critical in providing an agenda for safety, yet simultaneously offering protection of the rights of students who may have been accused of being in violation of the Henderson Rules to Maintain Public Order and/or the Campus Code of Conduct. These rights have been afforded to each Kingsborough student under the bylaws that were established in 1969.

Accessibility

Access-Ability Services (AAS) serves as a liaison and resource to the KCC community regarding disability issues, promotes equal access to all KCC programs and activities, and makes every reasonable effort to provide appropriate accommodations and assistance to students with disabilities. Please contact this office if you require such accommodations and assistance. Your instructor will be glad to make the accommodations you need, but you must have documentation from the Access-Ability office for any accommodations.

Pronouns

If you have preferred pronouns (ex. he/she/they), please let me know so we may use your preferences.