This page contains some useful classroom-related information for students

Make-up for examinations (including quizes): If a student cannot attend an examination, s/he needs to notify me as soon as physically possible by phone, fax or e-mail. Both the fax number and my e-mail are available 24 hours a day. In addition, the University Final Examination Policy requires a 24 hour notice for inability to attend the final examination. Students who fail to notify me prior to the examination will not be allowed to take it. Make-ups will be given only to students who have been unable to take the regularly scheduled exam due to a medical or emotional condition that has incapacitated them. Written documentation explaining the situation is required for make-up exams. I need to receive the documentation before I allow any student to take a make-up.  If any make-up exams are necessary, they will be given during the week of final examinations, at a time which is convenient for both the student and the instructor.

Below are some examples past situations where I have required written documentation before allowing make-ups for exams, presentations, etc. If such a situation is to occur to you, keep in mind that in most instances, I will need to see the original of your written documentation and retain a copy of it for my files. Also, this is not a comprehensive list of examples. In each case, I reserve the right to request additional documentation. Finally, research papers are assigned months in advance. Thus, I will allow late turn-ins only in the most unusual of circustances.

In case of a personal medical condition, a doctor's note or report from a medical facility is required. If the condition is not a medical emergency, students are required to notify me in advance that they will miss an exam or an assignment. Put differently, if you are well enough to take yourself to a doctor's office, you are well enough to pick up the phone and call me (or leave a message). The note, however, must be dated and timed before the scheduled exam, or the assignment deadline. I understand that in some cases, the doctor might not be able to see you before the time of the exam or the assignment deadline. In this situation, you will need to provide me with documentation that you made an appointment before the time of the exam, or the assignment deadline, in addition to a doctor's note that you were sick. In case of a medical emergency, where you are physically incapable of notifying me in advance, the physician's note will need to explain your condition.

Appropriate documentation in case of a family emergency or tragedy might include a letter from a parent (signed and dated), explaining the situation, in addition to medical reports and newspaper announcements (for instance). It is not sufficient to have a parent call me. Since these cases tend to be more individualized, see me for details. The same policy applies for family non-emergencies which emotionally incapacitate you.

Situations of a personal emotional condition (e.g. relationship break-ups, recovery from abuse, etc.) which prevent you from taking an exam, or submitting an assignment, a note certifying that you receive counseling, and that you saw your counselor on the day of the exam (or the assignment due date) will be required. As in the medical situation cases above, you will either have to make an appointment or see a counselor before the exam time, or deadline.

For students who work part- or full-time during the semester: If you cannot take an exam, or turn-in an assignment, due to additional work requirements, a written statement from your supervisor will be required.

For students with children: Have a back-up plan for those instances in which your babysitter does not show up on time. If you do not have a back-up plan, you must notify me that you will miss an assignment, or exam, ahead of time (as soon as you know that there will be no one to sit for your children), or you will not be allowed to make-up for it. In case of a medical situation with your child, follow the same polices as if it concerned you.

In cases of car accidents, car break-downs, your car catching fire, robbery in your home, you being arrested, or any other matter involving police authorities, a copy of the police report will be required.

In case you need to travel for a school-related event, a letter from your supervisor is required, along with the event's schedule and your name in it.

During difficult times in personal life or school work, where none of the above-mentioned situations apply to you, a statement from your advisor, or University administrator, familiar with your situation will be required, in addition to other appropriate written documentation.

Make-up for presentations: If, for some justifiable reason, you are not able to present on your scheduled date, you are required to notify me well ahead of time. You will also need to provide me with written documentation explaining your reason. I will try to re-assign you by asking the rest of the class if someone else is willing to switch groups with you. You will be allowed to switch groups only if there is a volunteer from another group willing to take your place. If re-scheduling is not possible, students who missed their presentation, for well-documented justifiable reasons, will be required to submit a type-written double-spaced 5-6 page essay discussing the whole issue they were originally assigned on. This essay will be graded on a regular A though F scale. If you missed your presentation due to a non-justifiable reason, you will receive unsatisfactory mark and will not be allowed to make up for it.

Examples of justifiable reasons to re-schedule an exam or a presentation, or to submit a late paper without penalty. For written documentation that might be required, see above.

Any emergency, medical, emotional or crime-related, personal or family.

Travel for school related activities, such as games, concerts, and competitions.

Examples of non-justifiable reasons to re-schedule an exam or a presentation, or to submit a late paper without penalty. No exceptions will be made.

Forgetfulness   ------------------------>   Ask a friend to remind you  Alarm clock failure ------------------- >   Ask a friend to wake you up No parking --------------------------->    Pla- to come to campus early  Traffic congestion --------------------->   Plan to leave your house early  Computer break-downs --------------->  Keep a back-up copy on a flash drive Pet gluttony ("my pet ate my paper") --->  Keep a back-up copy on a flash drive