Miami University is committed to providing and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free from discrimination of any kind. 

Miami is committed to offering programs, organizations, and resources that affirm students’ identities and support students during times of struggle. Here is a link to resources that affirm students around a variety of identities, including gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and disability, as well as resources around general safety and wellbeing. 

I’m committed to maximizing your learning potential by creating a safe and accessible learning environment. If you need support or are concerned about any part of the course, please talk to me! If there is any way I can adapt the course to better meet your needs as a learner, please let me know. If you have a documented disability, please share that information with me so I can provide any accommodations that have been determined by you and the Miller Center for Student Disability Services.

College can be stressful, and the pandemic has contributed to a well-documented rise in depression and anxiety. It can be very helpful to talk to a trained professional. The Student Counseling Service, located in the Health Services Center, provides a wide range of counseling services. For more information, call 513-529-4634 or visit their website.

Miami University is committed to maintaining a healthy and safe learning, living, and working environment and to creating an environment that promotes responsibility, dignity, and respect in matters of sexual and interpersonal conduct. To that end, it is vital that you know two values that I and the University hold as critically important:

Power-based personal violence will not be tolerated.

Everyone has a responsibility to do their part to maintain a safe community on campus.

More information can be found on the university website that describes reporting options and resources available. 

As your professor and as a person, know that I care about you and your well-being and stand ready to provide support and resources as I can. In situations of sexual and intrapersonal violence, you should know that I am required by University policy and federal law to report what you tell me to the University's Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX Coordinator's job is to ensure that the reporting student receives the resources and support that they need, while also reviewing the information presented to determine whether further action is necessary to ensure survivor safety and the safety of the University community. If you would rather keep this information confidential, you can talk to a Confidential Employee. 

Are you active-duty military or a member of the reserves? Are you a veteran of military service? I value  your service, and I will work with you to allow you to meet your military obligations while fulfilling the course requirements. If you have special needs in this area, let me know. The Student Success Center can serve as a resource for current and former members of the military; more information can be found here. 

As a Miami student enrolled in an online program or course, you'll benefit from a wealth of academic, financial, personal, and technical support services to guide you to success. Miami Online also has tips for success as an online student. 

Seeking feedback from different readers is part of any successful writing process, for it helps ensure that others can easily understand your intended message. As part of that process, I encourage you to visit Miami’s Howe Writing Center (HWC) or English Language Learner Writing Center.

Check out the library website for more information about the library’s resources, including their subject and course guides. The librarians are super helpful and know SO MANY THINGS. Also, if you’re close to Oxford, be sure to check out the maker space (it’s so cool). 

Visit the IT Help website, call 513-529-7900, or email ithelp@muohio.edu for tech support.

Use the discussion boards, class sessions, and other communication measures we adopt. Work with your classmates. Ask to follow some of your classmates on social media, text each other, whatever works for you. Support each other, or as William “Bill” S. Preston Esq. & Theodore “Ted” Logan so poignantly said: “Be Excellent to Each Other.” 

I am here to support your success as a student. Talk to me before you are overwhelmed by or upset about the class or your work. Use my office hours; I’m happy to talk with you, so if those hours conflict with your schedule, don’t be afraid to ask for another, mutually convenient time.  If you want to discuss more in-depth material or a draft, send me the questions or draft when you request the conference.  Do not be afraid to ask. One reason why I am a teacher is because I love to help students with their writing and composing. This is my job. I love my job, and I like to think I’m good at it.  Don’t feel like you’re bothering me by asking me questions—you’re not! It’s my job! :)