Classroom Policies

Attendance

Students are expected to attend EVERY class session. Roll will be taken for each class and made a permanent part of the record. If you know you will be absent on a given day, you should seek excuse from your instructor beforehand. You should also ask another student to turn in your assignments and inform you of any new assignments.

Two excused absences are permitted without a reduction in grade. Please do not ask for additional excused absences for any reason.

Recipients of Mission to the City Scholarships with more than two unexcused absences will be billed the full cost for the course (seminary policy).

Assignments

Most reading assignments and homework will be listed on the course outline distributed on the first day of each class. However, additional assignments may be announced in class and/or on the seminary web site from time to time. In addition, students should always be prepared for pop quizzes. Absence from class does not excuse the student from turning in a homework assignment when it is due or from missing a pop quiz.

Taking Notes

Taking accurate notes on material covered in class is an essential part of the learning process. In the event of an unavoidable absence, students who miss a class should request a copy of another student’s notes.

Students will be permitted to record lecture material for their own benefit. However, recorded lectures may NOT be given or made accessible to anyone not enrolled in the particular class in which the lecture was given.

Professors are not required to distribute their own notes or recorded lectures to students, though they may do so at their own discretion. Please respect his choice.

Class Discussion

Feel free to ask questions and state your own point of view in class. This should be done in a civil manner that respects the opportunities of other students to speak as well. Voicing your ideas for the consideration and evaluation of others, even ones that may seem silly, is a vital part of a seminary education. Do not be afraid of criticism or of being embarrassed.

Missed Examinations

Students are expected to take all examinations (including midterms and finals) on the scheduled days and at the scheduled times. Exceptions will be made only in extraordinary circumstances and only if the cause of the absence can be fully documented. Family trips, vacations, holiday activities, etc., will not be accepted as reasons for rescheduling examinations. Make-up examinations must be taken within five school days of the missed exam.

Cheating and Plagiarism

Cheating on examinations and plagiarism in written papers will not be tolerated. Any student caught cheating or plagiarizing will receive a zero for that assignment. Such activity will be reported to the entire faculty. If repeated, the student will be immediately expelled from the seminary (faculty policy).

Visitors

You may bring one visitor at a time to class without asking permission from the professor. Please be sure to introduce any visitors to the instructor before class begins.

Pagers and Cell Phones

Pagers and cell phones are NOT permitted during class. If the student is expecting a call that cannot be missed, he should set his phone to VIBRATE ONLY and sit in the back of the class. The phone should not be answered until the student is outside the classroom with the door shut.