Section II: Academic Policies & Procedures
Absences (Faculty)/Missed Class Meeting
Classes should always meet on the days, at the times, and in the locations listed in the university Class Schedule. In the event that a faculty member is unable to meet with a class, the department chair must be notified, normally before the class meeting, and in any case, as soon as possible. The faculty member who knows in advance of an absence must either work with the department chair to arrange for a qualified colleague to meet the class or the faculty member must provide special assignments to the students. For questions or guidance on other classroom and instruction policies, consult with your department chair and UPS.230.
If the absence is due to a prolonged illness or medical condition of the faculty or family member, please contact Faculty Affairs and Records (657) 278-5187 regarding available leave options, including Family Medical Leave and Maternity or Paternity Leave.
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Academic Field Trips
Academic Field Trips are often an essential part of coursework. There are however, risks associated with all field activities. Guidelines, located at
http://ehs.fullerton.edu/AcademicSafety/ are offered pursuant to UPS.105 which should be checked before the field trip to ensure that students on field trips avoid any unnecessary liability exposure and that safety is stressed at all times.
All field trip participants must complete and submit an Academic Field Trip Participant List including a contact person in case of an emergency. A copy of this form must be retained in the academic department office. Contact Environmental Health and Instructional Safety at (657) 278-7233 for additional information.
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Academic Integrity
When a faculty member has alleged that a student has performed an act of academic dishonesty (cheating, unauthorized collaboration, plagiarism, falsification of university documents, or helping someone else commit an act of academic dishonesty) and has penalized the student for the act, the faculty member shall report the action to the department chair and the Dean of Students Office, Judicial Affairs as outlined in Academic Dishonesty Policy UPS.300.021. The student has a right to appeal the decision under the Academic Affairs Policy UPS.030. In such cases, the faculty member assumes the burden of proof and must provide evidence in support of the charge that the dishonesty occurred.
For further information, contact your department chair and the Associate Dean of Students, Judicial Affairs, Sandra Rhoten (TSU-235), (657) 278-4168. Definitions and additional information regarding academic integrity issues can be obtained in UPS 300.030 and materials provided by the Dean of Students Office, Judicial Affairs (TSU-235). Additional resources such as the Reference for Faculty (strategies for preventing academic dishonesty, strategies for confronting academic dishonesty and responding/reporting an academic integrity violations may be found at the Judicial Affairs website: http://www.fullerton.edu/INTEGRITY/
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Accessibility
CSUF is committed to ensuring that all campus Information Resources and Technologies are fully accessible for persons with disabilities. This commitment reflects a goal to provide the most effective learning environment for all students--rather than simply to ensure compliance with various federal and state laws.
Instructional Materials (IM) are considered to be forms of communication and must therefore be delivered in a manner that is equally effective for persons with disabilities. Communication is considered to be equally effective when it is:
· Comparable in quality to those received by students without disabilities
· Comparable in timeliness of delivery and availability
· Provided in a manner and medium appropriate to the significance of the
message and the abilities of the person receiving the material
Faculty members may need to modify their method of instruction to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities.
Please visit the ATI Documentation and Tools webpage for more information on how to make different file types accessible.
For complete information on implementation of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, please see Executive Order 923 issued by the Chancellor
ecture and discussion format classes require 50 minutes per week of instruction for each unit of student credit awarded. Faculty members are expected to utilize the full class period, to begin and end classes on time, and to be punctual in meeting classroom obligations. All three-unit courses meeting only once a week are to be scheduled for a minimum of 165 minutes and allow for a fifteen-minute break approximately at the midpoint in the period. In general, and other than above, breaks should be given in classes only if the meeting time intervals in the Class Schedule include the additional time needed for them.
In addition, needs of individual students should be considered and reasonably accommodated.
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Class Lengths/Break
Lecture and discussion format classes require 50 minutes per week of instruction for each unit of student credit awarded. Faculty members are expected to utilize the full class period, to begin and end classes on time, and to be punctual in meeting classroom obligations. All three-unit courses meeting only once a week are to be scheduled for a minimum of 165 minutes and allow for a fifteen-minute break approximately at the midpoint in the period. In general, and other than above, breaks should be given in classes only if the meeting time intervals in the Class Schedule include the additional time needed for them.
In addition, needs of individual students should be considered and reasonably accommodated.
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Classroom Assignments
The Scheduling Office (MH-142), (657) 278-2381, is responsible for the assignment of classrooms for instructional use. Each college is allocated a block of rooms in which it may assign classes. After a specified date, all unused rooms revert to those areas in need of additional classroom space. Changes in rooms or to the capacity of rooms may not be made without consultation with the College Dean and the Scheduling Office. For scheduling questions or to schedule additional classroom use, please consult your department chair.
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Classroom Emergency Information
All faculty should know the following emergency information and are encouraged to relay this information to their students at the start of the semester: (a) identify the location of fire alarm pull stations; (b) review both location and content of evacuation maps including an outside meeting area for your department or class (instruct students to identify at least two exits from their location in the building); (c) review emergency procedures in case of fire, medical emergency, hazardous materials release, shelter in place, gunmen on campus and earthquake; (d) invite any students with special needs to contact you about specific requirements in the case of an emergency and make appropriate arrangements; (e) identify the location of the nearest phone to use in case of an emergency. Go to http://prepare.fullerton.edu for a one page Emergency Preparedness Handout and other important campus emergency information.
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Copyright Materials
Distribution of materials protected by copyright requires compliance with the law. When providing students with articles and other materials via course packets, permission is necessary prior to any reproduction or distribution. When Blackboard is used to distribute materials, a ‘Fair Use' analysis is necessary. If ‘Fair Use' is exceeded, then it is still necessary to obtain permission. Faculty can always provide links to the Library's electronic resources through Blackboard
Attempting to keep purchase costs low to students by having course packets printed without first obtaining copyright permissions may seem to be a service to our students. But this behavior is illegal . We demand that our students understand that plagiarism and other forms of unethical behavior are unacceptable in the classroom. As their professors and mentors, we have a heightened responsibility to be as principled as possible in our interactions with them and that includes adhering to the copyright laws.
If you have questions, please direct them to Anthony Davis, Electronic Resources and Copyright Librarian (anthonydavis@fullerton.edu).
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Course Fees & Sale of Materials
Fees associated with specific classes are regulated by CSU system policy. Students may not be charged for materials or services used in classes without formal campus review and approval nor may faculty sell materials for student classroom use directly to students. Materials such as books, manuscripts, and normal classroom supplies are typically handled by the campus or other bookstores.
College Deans have the final authority and responsibility for compliance with established class size minimums. Classes may not be canceled, modified, or moved without the approval of the department chair and the college dean.
§504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). For additional information, consult with DSS (UH-101) (657) 278-3117. Additional information may be found in UPS 240.000 (Nondiscrimination Policy).
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Course Cancellation Due to Size
College Deans have the final authority and responsibility for compliance with established class size minimums. Classes may not be canceled, modified, or moved without the approval of the department chair and the College Dean.
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Disabilities (Students with)
The University is committed to supporting all students and providing reasonable accommodations /support services when it is appropriate to do so. Students with temporary or permanent disabilities may receive assistance and support though the Office of Disabled Student Services (DSS) – UH-101, (657) 278-3112. This office is responsible for making all of the university's educational, cultural, social and physical facilities and programs accessible to students with orthopedic, functional, perceptual, psychological/emotional and/or learning disabilities. Additional information is available at http://www.fullerton.edu/dss/
Students with a qualifying disability are entitled to reasonable accommodations after they have identified themselves through DSS in order for a determination of appropriate prescribed accommodations to be made. These requests are made to DSS and not directly or informally to the instructor.
Faculty members may need to modify their method of instruction to accommodate the learning needs of students with disabilities. Modifications can include: making your face visible to a student to reads lips, using an overhead, PowerPoint, reading aloud material written on a whiteboard, or arranging classroom organization during discussions to accommodate hard of hearing students. Students may also require special accommodations with respect to exams, including extended time to complete exams, interpreters, brailled or large-print exams and answer sheets, and transcribers. Questions regarding accommodations for disabled students should be directed to DSS.
DSS can provide a full range of academic support services to students with disabilities, including accessible instructional materials, readers, note-takers, tutors, interpreters for deaf students, alternative testing, counseling, disabled person (DP) parking information, application assistance, academic advisement, referral, career counseling referral, housing, transportation and health services referral and advocacy.
Discrimination on the basis of disability is illegal under 42 USC § 12132, §504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (504 Regulations), and the American with Disabilities Amendments Act (2008). For additional information, consult with DSS (UH-101) (657) 278-3112. Additional information may be found in UPS 240.000 (Nondiscrimination Policy).
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Disputes/Problems with Students
Occasionally, students may voice their disagreement with faculty over the evaluation of student work, the assignment of grades, or course requirements. If a student dispute should arise, the faculty member should work to resolve the situation effectively with the student in a professional and timely manner. However, if the dispute cannot be resolved with the professor, the student should be directed to the department/division chair. Faculty members should remain professional and considerate at all times when handling student disputes. For additional information see the Student Bill of Rights and Responsibilities (UPS 300.00), the procedures for Academic Appeals (UPS 300.030, 300.031), or consult with your department/division chair.
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Emergency/Disaster Information
Faculty provide a valuable leadership element between the University and students in an emergency. In the event of an emergency, please adhere to the following guidelines:
Before an Emergency Occurs
1. Know the building marshals for your building.
2. Know the safe evacuation routes from your classroom.
3. Know your evacuation assembly area.
4. Always carry a class roster.
5. In case of evacuation, take your keys and personal belongings.
When an Emergency Occurs
1. Remain calm, your students need to be reassured through your demeanor that they will be safe.
2. Do not evacuate your students unless directed to do so by University authority.
3. If advised to evacuate, move your students to the nearest safe evacuation route.
4. Account for all students before and after every evacuation.
5. Only remove injured students if moving them will not cause further injury. If a student must be left, remove any potentially hazardous items and post a large visible sign on the door indicating a student is still in that room. Once you have reached safety, immediately notify emergency personnel with all the pertinent information (location, type of injury, student name, etc.).
6. Do not re-enter the building until informed to do so by the building marshal or other campus authority.
7. If directed to evacuate campus, follow the evacuation route provided to you by emergency personnel.
EMERGENCY CALLS
DIAL 9-1-1 All campus phones and cell phones on campus reach the University Police Department
Non-emergency line: (657) 278-2515
24-hour recorded emergency information line:
(657) 278-0911 or (657) 278-4444 |
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Environmental Health & Instructional
Safety Office (EH&IS)
Safety Education & Training
Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) develops and implements programs aimed at protecting the safety and well-being of the entire campus community. The safety training programs at Cal State Fullerton are intended to increase safety awareness and to promote the safety and health of faculty, staff, and students.
University policy requires that every employee, including student employees, faculty and staff, complete a Campus Health & Safety Requirements course. For new hires, this course is provided as part of the New Employee Orientation. Also, for your convenience this course is also available through the EHS office or online using the Employee Training Center. A wide variety of sessions are available to increase your overall health and safety.
For more information, please visit http://ehs/SafetyTraining or contact Environmental Health and Safety via email to safety@fullerton.edu or by calling (657) 278-7233 (S-A-F-E).
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Examinations
The preparation of examinations and the assignment of grades is the responsibility of the individual faculty member. The posting of grades from examinations or other forms of assessment should never be done in a way that reveals the names, campus identification or social security numbers of students receiving the grades.
Normally, a final examination is required, but this is a decision made by individual faculty based on course requirements and department standards . If the instructor has determined that a final examination is required in a course, the examination must be given at times scheduled by the University. Once established, the final examination schedule may not be changed unless approved by department or program chair and the Dean of the college.
Makeup final examinations may be given for reasons of illness, verified emergency, or other serious and compelling reasons approved by the instructor. An instructor shall not shorten the academic semester by scheduling an in-class final examination before the week scheduled for final examinations. No major examinations shall be given during the last week scheduled for instruction unless there is also to be a final examination at the time assigned in the Class Schedule. When a take home final examination (or paper/project) is due during the final exam period, it shall be due no earlier than the day scheduled for the final examination in that class.
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General Student Safety
Faculty have a responsibility to provide students with a safe and healthful environment. These responsibilities include (a) informing students of all risks inherent in the class, lab or field trip activity including dangerous substances, equipment, or procedures; (b) instructing students on how to properly and safely handle all dangerous items or activities; (c ) exercising a degree of supervision over student activities commensurate with the possible degree of hazard involved; (d) enforcing all applicable safety regulations developed by the department; (e) informing students of campus emergency procedures and explaining their application to the instructional setting. To find out more about student safety at CSUF, go to http://ehs.fullerton.edu
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Grants and Contracts
The Office of Grants and Contracts provides ongoing support to all CSUF faculty with information about and the preparation of grant applications. A service for all faculty is the Faculty Interest Database which tracks grant opportunities according to individual interests and provides faculty with grant information as it becomes available. During the academic year, Grants and Contracts also schedules workshops about all stages of the grants and contracts processes, proposals and applications, and the approval process. Part-time lecturer faculty may also participate in the intramural grants program. For additional information, contact the Office of Grants and Contracts at (657) 278-2106. A comprehensive website is also available at http://www.ogc.fullerton.edu
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Injuries/Illnesses to Students
The University's Student Health and Counseling Center provides first aid and basic medical services to students. The SHCC is open 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (9:00 a.m. opening on Thursdays). Treatment of life-threatening and other major injuries or illnesses (including those that may require hospitalization) is beyond the scope of the SHCC. The range of services provided by the SHCC is not as extensive as those offered by most local urgent care facilities. If a student becomes ill or injured during a classroom activity and you believe the injury or illness requires no more than first aid or basic medical treatment, please escort or arrange for someone to escort the student to the SHCC. For all other injuries or illnesses, or if you have any question about the severity of the injury or illness, please dial 911 from any phone. University Police will respond and determine if paramedic assistance is required. Regardless of the severity of the injury or illness, please dial 911 from any phone if the injury or illness occurs after hours. If you have any doubt about how to respond, please dial 911 from any phone. When calling 911, please follow any directions provided by the 911 operator.
Please also complete and return to University Risk Management the University's “Student/Visitor Injury/Illness Report” form, which is located at: http://ehis.fullerton.edu/AcademicSafety/StudentVisitorInjuryReport.pdf
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Injuries/Hazardous Conditions
All injuries must be reported to your department, regardless of the nature of the injury. If a student is injured between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. they should be directed to the Student Health and Counseling Center (278-2800) unless they sustain serious injuries. If you require assistance responding to student injuries between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., call EH&IS at (657) 278-7233 (278-SAFE) or 911 for the University's Public Safety emergency dispatcher.
In the event of serious injury, contact Public Safety (the University's Police Department) by dialing 911 . Public Safety will arrange for paramedic assistance. All injuries must be reported using the University's Injury Form. You, your department, and the injured party may need to provide information on this form. In the event that a student is sent to the Student Health and Counseling Center, an injury form will be completed automatically.
All hazardous conditions or situations should be reported as soon as possible to Environmental Health and Instructional Safety at extension 7233. If the hazard is serious enough to cause injuries or jeopardize lives, report it immediately to University Police at 911.
http://www.fullerton.edu/emergencypreparedness/ep_faculty.html
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Internships & Experience Based
Learning
Departments coordinating internships, service-learning and/or other experience-based learning activities for students off campus must comply with University procedures and provide the proper precautions to ensure the safety of the student. Contact the Center for Internships and Service-Learning at (657) 278-3746 for information on procedures and guidelines to ensure student safety or go to http://www.fullerton.edu/emergencypreparedness/ep_faculty.html
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Library Resources (Pollak Library)
With your portal login, you have remote access to all of the Library's electronic resources. You may use your TitanCard to borrow books, periodicals, and other materials from the library (150 item limit). You are also welcome to use the inter-library loan program which allows faculty to obtain a wide variety of resources not immediately available at the Pollak Library.
The Library provides customized instruction sessions for in-person and online courses by appointment: htps://www.library.fullerton.edu/lischeduler/instructionrequest2.aspx
24/7 reference assistance is provided via IM at http://www.library.fullerton.edu/asp/askalibrarian.aspx
Learn more about embedding Library resources in Blackboard or Moodle along with how the Library can help faculty meet their own research needs with the Faculty Research Guide at http://www.library.fullerton.edu/guides/Faculty/Home.php
For additional information visit the Library site at http://www.library.fullerton.edu/ or contact the reference desk at (657) 278-3284.
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Lost & Found/Missing and Stolen Property
The main lost and found location is at the University Police Dispatcher's Desk. Items will be retained at the lost and found until either claimed by the owner or placed in storage by the University Police. Items stored for at least six months will be offered for sale at public auction. To inquire about lost items, call (657) 278-4308.
Immediately after the discovery of the loss of State Property, the person discovering the loss must notify the University Police by telephone, followed by a memo to the University Controller with a copy to Property Control. For additional assistance or questions, consult with the Chair of your academic department.
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Office Hours
It is customary for faculty/lecturers to make themselves available to their students for at least one hour per week for each three-unit class.
If faculty/lecturers will be unable to meet during scheduled office hours or they change the location where office hours will be held, they should notify their department at the earliest opportunity.
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Plagiarism
Plagiarism is defined in the Academic Dishonesty Policy UPS 300.021 as “the act of taking the work (words, ideas, concepts, data, graphs, artistic creation) of another whether that work is paraphrased or copied in verbatim or near verbatim form and offering it as one's own without giving credit to that source.” For additional information, consult the University Catalog or the Associate Dean of Students, Judicial Affairs, Sandra Rhoten (TSU-235), (657) 278-4168. Plagiarism is always to be considered a very serious offense.
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Recording Devices
Student recordings of faculty lectures will be permitted in classes upon the written approval of the instructor, as provided for in UPS 330.230, or as recommended by Disabled Student Services.
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Religious Holidays (Observances
of)
Traditionally, the Governor of California has not recognized religious holidays such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, or Good Friday as State holidays. However there are some students, faculty, and staff who wish to observe the holy days within their respective denomination. Faculty should consider the importance of these days when addressing student absences. Students should not be penalized for such absences, and faculty should permit students to make up work or exams on such holy days. Faculty should make the appropriate arrangement in advance with their department chairs or deans to have their classes covered when observing such holy days themselves.
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Retention of Student Work/Use of Student Work
The retention of student work is governed by the policy outlined in UPS 320.005. This policy provides for the following:
“Except where the preponderance of resources and materials employed by the student' research or creativity are supplied by the State of California, the products of such research or creative activity, including but not limited to authored papers, works of art, craft preparations and exhibits, are the property of the student author/creator.”
“All products of student research and creative activity which are submitted in fulfillment or partial fulfillment of the requirements for a degree, program, course or other certification by the University, whether or not produced employing State of California resources and materials may be retained by the University or its academic employees for a reasonable period of time for the purpose of evaluation.”
“In all cases of delayed grades (I, SP, RD), the materials submitted must either be returned to the student or be retained until a final grade is assigned…”
“The student has no right to the return of written work resulting from a test or examination. However, the student does have the right to examine and discuss test and examinations with the faculty member involved and at the option of the faculty member, these materials may be returned to the student. Examinations not returned to the students shall be retained on file for one semester after the last day of the semester in which the course was taken except when they become part of an academic appeal in which case they shall be retrained until the appeal has been concluded,
Faculty who publish/co publish with students must take appropriate steps to acknowledge all student contributions.
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Risk Activities (Right of Non-Compliance)
Certain university activities either within or outside of the classroom may involve varying degrees of risk to participants. Instructors directing such activities must divulge fully to all potential participants the specific nature of such risks and obtain from them their expressed or implied consent prior to undertaking such activities.
The student who, at any time, comes to believe that the risks, whether physical or psychological, are excessive has the responsibility to withdraw from participation at the time and to inquire of the instructor if there are alternative means of fulfilling the requirements without penalty. If there are none, the student may petition for withdrawal from the course without penalty or appeal for an appropriate modification of the activity. The appeal may be made either to the chair of the department concerned, or to the chair of the Committee on Activities Involving Human Subjects, or both. For additional information, consult UPS 420.105.
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Scientific Misconduct
Misconduct in science means fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or other practices that seriously deviate from those that are commonly accepted within the scientific community for proposing, conducting, or reporting research. For additional information, consult UPS 420.106.
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Security/Student Disruptions/University
Police
Although it is rare, faculty may encounter students whose behavior is disruptive in class. These students may ask frequent irrelevant questions, continually confront or question the instructor, or students, or perhaps speak in terms which are insulting to the instructor or to fellow students. Conduct of this nature is frequently symptomatic of problems which may require professional help.
Should this occur, faculty should talk with such students and make clear the particular behavior which is considered inappropriate. If this fails to produce results, the faculty member should inform the department chair and contact the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her staff. Student Affairs personnel will talk with the students to clarify their perception of the situation and, as necessary, will underscore that such disruptive behavior must stop. Student Affairs has responsibility for handling student disciplinary procedures. For more information, contact the Associate Dean of Students, Sandra Rhoten (TSU-241) (657) 278-4168.
Careful and thoughtful communication is the best tool to avoid a violent act or threat. Problems with and between employees and students should be resolved quickly, fairly, and consistently. Because the campus has a zero tolerance policy against acts or threats of violence, don't hesitate to report all incidents to University Police from a campus phone at extension 2515 or Environmental Health and Instructional Safety at extension 7233. A report may also be submitted by filling out a Campus Safety Report at the following website http://ehis.fullerton.edu/CampusSafety/
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SMART Classrooms
The lecture rooms on the campus are equipped to facilitate instruction (cabinet, ceiling mounted projector and speakers). Faculty members using Smart Classrooms must obtain keys to the cabinet after attending a short training session. Please visit http://fdc.fullerton.edu/technology/classroom_techology_training.htm for additional information about SMART Classroom training or call (657) 278-3483.
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Student Privacy
The privacy of student records is strictly protected under requirements provided for in the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. 1232g) and the California Education Code §67100 et seq. Generally, the law requires that written consent of the student be received before releasing personally identifiable data about the student from records to other than a specified list of exceptions. California State University, Fullerton has adopted a set of policies and procedures concerning implementation of the statutes and regulations on the campus. For more information please review the President's Directive No. 17 at http://www.fullerton.edu/deanofstudents/DOS_Homepage-_Message_and_Privacy.htm
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Student Safety Abroad
To ensure the safety of students studying abroad, faculty, staff and students should contact International Education and Exchange at (657) 278-2787 prior to recommending an oversees study program. Additional information is available online at http://ehis.fullerton.edu/AcademicSafety/StudentSafetyAbroad.aspx
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Syllabus/Course Outlines
Syllabi or course outlines must be compatible with approved course proposals and objectives on file in the Office of the Associate Vice President for Academic Programs and with course descriptions in the University Catalog . Syllabi/course outlines must be provided to students in writing or electronic format within the first five days of instruction. The syllabus/course outline shall give detailed information on the following: material to be covered in the course; grading policy; class assignments; examination dates and make-up policy; including the use of plus/minus grades required or permissible materials or equipment which may be used in testing situations, and required or permissible materials and/or equipment for the course. For additional information, consult UPS 300.004 and the chair of your academic department.
Note regarding GE Courses: Syllabi must identify GE category the course satisfies as well as list the learning goals associated with that category; further there should be a statement describing how the GE writing requirement will be met and assessed.
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Use of Animals
The use of animals in research and instruction is regulated by federal regulations under two different statutes and governed by two government agencies. The Office of Grants and Contracts is responsible for compliance with them. Projects using animals usually require the filing of research protocol and the approval of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
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