COMPOSITION PROGRAM POLICIES Fall 2008

Contact Information 

Composition Website Address: comp.okstate.edu

Program Directors:  Dr. Richard Frohock (Morrill 409) and Dr. Ron Brooks (Morrill 407A)

Add/Drop Information

The last day to add or drop a course without the instructor's signature is 25 Aug.  The last day to add a course with instructor permission and signature is 29 Aug.  Only the instructor can sign your add card, so give yourself sufficient time to find the instructor prior to the deadline. The instructor is not required to allow you late entry into the course, nor does his or her signature guarantee you a seat.  Composition courses are never over-enrolled, nor are seats held for individuals.  The last day to drop a course with a grade of "W" is 7 Nov.  The last date to withdraw from all courses with an assigned “W" or "F" is 21 Nov.  For more information, go to http://www.okstate.edu/registrar/AcademicCalendar/AcademicCalendarMain.html#fall2008.

Students with Disabilities

If you think you have a qualified disability and need special accommodations for this course, you should notify your instructor and request verification of eligibility for accommodations from the Office of Student Disability Services (315 Student Union) as soon as possible.  For more information, call 405-744-7116 or go to http://sds.okstate.edu//.

Attendance

You are expected to be present every day your class meets, but we do allow a specific number of absences without penalty for unavoidable circumstances that may occur.  Absences beyond the limit are considered excessive and result in grade reductions. The only absences that do not count toward the total allowed are those taken for mandatory military service and activities required for classes or scholarships.  No other absences will be considered excused, including absences due to illnesses, doctor's appointments, and emergencies.  Reductions will be taken on a percentage basis from the total number of points possible in the course.  Students are expected to arrive in class on time in order to be counted present.  Requests for exemption from this policy must be made in writing to the Program Director.  However, exemptions are extremely rare and have been granted only for the most extraordinary circumstances.

Tues/ Thurs or Mon/ Wed classes: 4 absences without automatic grade reduction, 5 absences = a final grade reduction of 7.5% of the total points possible for the course, 6 absences = a final grade reduction of 15%, and 7 or more absences = failure of the course.

Mon/Wed/Fri classes:  6 absences without automatic grade reduction, 7 absences = a final grade reduction of 5% of the total points possible for the course, 8 absences = a final grade reduction of 10%, 9 absences = a final grade reduction of 15%, and 10 or more absences = failure of the course.

Missed in-class work

Students absent for university-sponsored activities (which do not include social or Greek-sponsored activities, clubs, or intramural athletics) or mandatory military service may make up work missed due to such absence. Other policies regarding missed in-class work are at the discretion of the instructor.

Late work

Grades of work defined as "late" (coming in after established due date and time) will be reduced by 5% of the total points possible for the assignment each day it is late. Instructors may determine if this policy includes drafts and how weekends will be counted toward the grade reduction.  Instructors may reduce the grade on a paper by up to 5% if a conference or peer editing session is missed.

Missing work

You must complete all required drafts and all final copies of the four major papers in order to receive credit for the course.

Plagiarism

According to University Policy, plagiarism is “presenting the written, published or creative work of another as the student’s own work. Whenever the student uses wording, arguments, data, design, etc., belonging to someone else in a paper, report, oral presentation, or other assignment, the student must make this fact explicitly clear by correctly citing the appropriate references or sources. The studentmust fully indicate the extent to which any part or parts of the project are attributed to others. The student must also provide citations for paraphrased materials.” Plagiarism can result in failure of the course or suspension from the University. For more information, see the policies listed at http://academicintegrity.okstate.edu/.