Other Policies

Spartan Code of Honor: The Spartan Code of Honor states that

"As a Spartan, I will strive to uphold values of the highest ethical standard. I will practice honesty in my work, foster honesty in my peers, and take pride in knowing that honor is worth more than grades. I will carry these values beyond my time as a student at Michigan State University, continuing the endeavor to build personal integrity in all that I do."

More information can be found at http://honorcode.msu.edu/.

Academic Honesty: Article 2.3.3 of the Academic Freedom Report states that ”The student shares with the faculty the responsibility for maintaining the integrity of scholarship, grades, and professional standards.” In addition, the Mathematics Department adheres to the policies on academic honesty as specified in General Student Regulations 1.0, Protection of Scholarship and Grades; the all University Policy on Integrity of Scholarship and Grades; and Ordinance 17.00, Examinations. (See Spartan Life: Student Handbook and Resource Guide and/or the MSU Web site: www.msu.edu.) Therefore, unless authorized by your instructor, you are expected to complete all course assignments, including homework, lab work, quizzes, tests and exams, without assistance from any source. You are expected to develop original work for this course; therefore, you may not submit course work you completed for another course to satisfy the requirements for this course. Also, you are not authorized to use the www.allmsu.com Web site to complete any course work in this course. Students who violate MSU academic integrity rules may receive a penalty grade, including a failing grade on the assignment or in the course. Contact your instructor if you are unsure about the appropriateness of your course work. (See also the Academic Integrity webpage.)

In addition to the departmental academic dishonesty policy above the calculus sequence has a specific list of student actions that are prohibited to help promote academic honesty. We strongly believe that all students should have equal resources and opportunity during proctored assessments. The following list applies to all quizzes, exams, and final exam for the calculus sequence.

  • Having unapproved electronics or scrap paper out on your lap or desk

  • Using unapproved electronics for any reason

  • Looking at scrap paper that contains formulae or example problems

  • Looking at another student's paper

  • Writing on or altering a returned assessment and giving it back to the instructor for regrading

This list is by no means all inclusive. Typically if a student is found to have committed one of the above actions they will receive 0 points for the assessment and an Academic Dishonesty Report filled out to alert the University of the student's actions. However, each action will be considered individually and the consequences are at the discretion of the instructor.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities (from the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD)): Michigan State University is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Requests for accommodations by persons with disabilities may be made by contacting the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities at 517-884-RCPD or on the web at rcpd.msu.edu. Once your eligibility for an accommodation has been determined, you will be issued a Verified Individual Services Accommodation (”VISA”) form.

Please present this form to the course supervisor, David Bramer (bramerda@math.msu.edu), and your instructor at the start of the term or at least two weeks prior to the accommodation date (test, project, etc.). Requests received after this date may not be honored.

Students are expected to communicate with their instructor well in advance of an exam date to discuss how their accommodation(s) will be met.

The math department will host a final exam room for students who have a VISA from the RCPD. If you are a student with a RCPD VISA accommodation and would like to use your accommodation for the final exam please make sure you have turned in a copy of your VISA to the course supervisor David Bramer (bramerda@math.msu.edu) and requested to use your accommodation for the final exam no later than two weeks before the final exam. Requests received after this date may not be honored.

Disruptive Behavior: Article 2.III.B.4 of the Academic Freedom Report (AFR) for students at Michigan State University states: ”The student’s behavior in the classroom shall be conducive to the teaching and learning process for all concerned.” Article 2.III.B.10 of the AFR states that ”The student has a right to scholarly relationships with faculty based on mutual trust and civility.” General Student Regulation 5.02 states: ”No student shall . . . interfere with the functions and services of the University (for example, but not limited to, classes . . .) such that the function or service is obstructed or disrupted. Students whose conduct adversely affects the learning environment in this classroom may be subject to disciplinary action through the Student Judicial Affairs office.

Attendance: Students whose names do not appear on the official class list for this course may not attend this class. Students who fail to attend the first four class sessions or class by the fifth day of the semester, whichever occurs first, may be dropped from the course.

Grief Absence Policy: The Mathematics faculty and staff work hard to be sensitive and to accommodate the bereavement process of a student who has lost a family member or who is experiencing emotional distress from a similar tragedy so that the student is not academically disadvantaged in their class. The Mathematics Department relies on the University's Grief Absence Policy to alert us of when it is appropriate to grant additional accommodations. According to the University's Grief Absence Policy it is the responsibility of the student to: a) notify the Associate Dean or designee of their college of the need for a grief absence in a timely manner, but no later than one week from the student’s initial knowledge of the situation, b) provide appropriate verification of the grief absence as specified by the Associate Dean, and c) complete all missed work as determined in consultation with the instructor. It is the responsibility of the Associate Dean or designee to: a) determine with the student the expected period of absence – it is expected that some bereavement processes may be more extensive than others depending on individual circumstances, b) notify the faculty that the student will be absent, and c) receive verification of the authenticity of a grief absence request upon the student’s return.

Limits to Confidentiality: Essays, journals, and other materials submitted for this class are generally considered confidential pursuant to the University’s student record policies. However, students should be aware that University employees, including instructors, may not be able to maintain confidentiality when it conflicts with their responsibility to report certain issues to protect the health and safety of MSU community members and others. Instructors must report the following information to the Department of Police and Public Safety if you share it:

  • Suspected child abuse/neglect, even if this maltreatment happened when you were a child,

  • Allegations of sexual assault or sexual harassment when they involve MSU students, faculty, or staff, and

  • Credible threats of harm to oneself or to others.

These reports will trigger contact from the Department of Police and Public Safety who will want to talk with you about the incident that you have shared. In almost all cases, it will be your decision whether you wish to speak with that individual. If you would like to talk about these events in a more confidential setting you are encouraged to make an appointment with the MSU Counseling Center.