Dear Students,
We hope you are settling into the spring semester and are enjoying your studies. We know it has been challenging with the ongoing pandemic and the recent winter storm, which is why we are working hard to keep you as informed as possible about issues pertaining to course instruction. We are writing today to make you aware of a communication that was recently sent to course instructors regarding additional academic policies for the remainder of the semester. That communication can be found here and addresses:
- Sprinkle Days
- Flipped classroom recordings
- Excused absences
We encourage you to read the communication in its entirety as well as the communication dated Feb. 18, which details ways instructors can make up missed material from the week of the winter storm. That communication, as well as all other previous communications from the Provost Office, can be found here.
If you have concerns about your instructor not following the outlined policies, the first thing to do is contact the course instructor directly about the issue. We all are terribly busy, and both faculty and students do not always digest every message that has been sent our way.
We know it may seem daunting to some to question faculty about policies. A good way to approach this when talking to or emailing your instructors is to say something like, “I am confused about the policies in place this semester. I thought the policy said _____, can you let me know if I am missing something.” A simple question is often all it takes to begin such a conversation. If you find you still need assistance after discussing any concerns directly with your course instructor, our recommendation is to then contact the department chair for assistance.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact one of us.
Kind regards,
Reginald DesRoches, Provost
Christopher Johns-Krull, ARC Chair
Bridget Gorman, Dean of Undergraduates
Seiichi Matsuda, Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies