The
Fine Print
about My Classes
Curves, Extra Credit, Student Conduct, Expectations for Writing Skills and
Documentation, Maintaining Academic Integrity & Disability Services
Dr William Ashton
Department of Behavioral Sciences
The City University of New York, York College
For legal reasons, this document is considered to be part of the course syllabus.
I also reserve the right to change this document and/or the syllabus during the
semester. If I make a change, I will announce it in class, by email or on
Blackboard.
General Grading Practices
Points & Letter Grades
All of my courses’ final grades are on an 100 point scale. Thus, the letter grades
would be based upon York's official grading scheme:
A+ = 97-100
A = 93-96.9
A- = 90-92.9
B+ = 87-89.9
B = 83-86.9
B- = 80-82.9
C+ = 77-79.9
C =73-76.9
C- =70-72.9
D+ = 67-69.9
D = 60-66.9
F = 59.9 or below
Point values for course assignments are listed in the syllabus and letter grades
correspond to a 10% scale also. To find your letter grade, divide your score by
the total possible points and multiply by 100. Then apply the 100 point scale.
For example, on an exam the total number of points possible is 20. You receive
17 points. 17 / 20 = 0.85. 0.85 X 100 = 85. 85 is a B.
Dropping the Lowest Exam Score
In many of my classes (Psy 332, 251 & 253) there are four exams and the lowest
score is dropped (Sorry, Psy 330 – this doesn’t apply to you because your class is
writing intensive).
Each of the four exams are worth 20 points each (for a total of 80 points all
together), but you'll notice that the syllabus states that the exams all together
are only a total of 60 points. After the fourth exam is completed and before I
assign the course grades, I will drop your lowest scoring exam. By-the-way, I do
this on BB's grades page by subtracting out the points from your lowest exam.
For example, let's say that you received 14 points (out of 20) on the first exam, 17
points on exam 2, 17 points on exam 3 and 19 on exam 4. Before I calculate
your final grade I will drop the lowest exam score. In this case it was exam 1 - 14
points, and I will use exams 2, 3, & 4 only to caculate the course grade. This is
easiest for me to just go on to BB and subtract the number of points of your
lowest exam score. You'll see a grade labeled, "lowest exam dropped," and that
value should equal the negative of your lowest exam score (you can check my
work just to make sure I didn't make a mistake).
The
C
Word
I do not use the traditional curve method when assigning grades. The curve
causes students to be in competition with each other (e.g. being worried about
someone doing well and “blowing” the curve for everyone else).
Extra Credit
Extra credit interferes with students focusing upon completing the assignments
for the course and permits students to choose not to complete or do well
assignments in the course. Therefore, I do not give extra credit assignments.
Student Conduct
Class Participation
First and foremost, all members of class (students and the professor) will act with
the physical and psychological well-being of other class members in mind. If
you are unable to do this, you will be referred to the head of campus security.
Students are expected to read the assignments prior to class, be prepared to
participate in discussions and exercises, and to bring their textbook to class. I
greatly appreciate and encourage students to participate in discussion and to
ask questions during my lectures. Unless you are answering or asking a question
or we are in discussion, you will be expected to not talk to other students during
lectures or to engage in other activities which would disturb the class. This
included the use of cell phones and allowing cell phones to ring during class.
If you consistently disturb class, you will be referred to the Dean of Students for
disciplinary action. Also, I allow myself the option of assessing penalties against
your class point standing.
Class Attendance
Students are expected to arrive on time and to attend each meeting of the
class. Please be on time. It is disruptive to your classmates and me when you
arrive late to class and you will often miss important announcements. Students
are responsible for all material covered in the class, which may include
handouts, videos, and presentations. Additionally, the content of the lectures
may include materials not in the text. If material in class is missed, it is the
student’s responsibility to obtain missed material and information – from other
students.
Each class day, I will have an attendance sign-in sheet by my desk until class
begins. Please sign-in. If you are late, please sign-in as late – after class is over.
Class Participation Grade
The class participation grade is based upon your attendance in class (you can’t
participate if you’re not there and if you are there you are participating at some
level) and your participation in class activities. Behaviors that I will take into
account when assigning this grade will include: preparation for class, in-class
discussion participation and in-class activity participation, and completion of inclass and out-of-class activities such as quizzes and homework assignments.
Here’s how it works. Attendance is rewarded one point and arriving late for
class is penalized one-half of a point.
When appropriate I will assign in or out of class activities and announce that
they are for class participation credit. These assignments will be on a no credit/
minus / check / plus ( 0 / - / / + ).
0 = did not turn in assignment or totally unacceptable work
- = okay
 = good
+ = very good
The number of points determined by the number of times our class meets
weekly:
1 weekly meeting ---2 weekly meetings --3 weekly meetings ---
- = .2
- = .5
- = ..8
 = .3 points
 = .5 points
 = 1 point
+ = .4 credits
+= .6 credits
+ = 1.2 credits
For example, let’s say our class meets 3 times a week. You are on time all three
days (which nabs you 3 points) and on Wednesday I give a quiz and you pass
that (good job!) which earns you 1 point. For that week you earned 4
participation points.
At the end of the semester, I’ll total your participation points and assign your
grade based upon your percent out of the total full credit points possible. I
know that you can’t be at every class, can’t be on time every day and can’t do
every homework assignment. So I’ll make you this sweet deal: if you get 85% I’ll
give you an A for class participation! And if you get more than 85%, you’ll get
extra credit for your final grade (up to 12 points for 100%).
I actually use a linear equation to convert the class participation scores to the
points for the class. For most classes (Psy 251, 253 & 332) it’s y=.1333x=1.3 and for
Psy 330 it’s y=.2x-2
Finally, I reserve the right to raise or lower a student's participation grade when
necessary. Also, participation grades can become negative; meaning that the
negative grade will be subtracted from the student's total points for the course.
Completion of Assignments, Project and Exams
My late policy is designed to protect and benefit my students. I am concerned
about grading fairly. To grade students fairly, I must treat everyone equally
regarding late work. Late assignments (including exams and the paper) will be
penalized 25% beginning the first day late, and an additional 25% beginning the
first week late. Late work will not accepted during the week preceding the last
day of class.
I may waive all or part of the penalty if there is a documented and legitimate
excuse. To be legitimate, it must be a sudden, unexpected, mandatory and
time consuming situation.
If a class is canceled on the date when an assignment is due or an exam is
scheduled, it will be rescheduled to the next class meeting.
Any professor, including myself, will feel more favorable towards a student who is
conscientious and discusses late work and absences either before-hand or as
soon as possible.
Incompletes and ABS (absent from final exam) grades may be given when a
student contacts me before the final exam and may be given if the student has
a documented and legitimate excuse and only if the student is currently passing
the course.
Late work FAQ
Q: How soon should I contact you about turning in work late or missing an exam?
A: Before you miss the exam or assignment. You can call and leave a voice mail or an e-mail
message. Remember, even if I’m sick, I e-mail you folks to let you know I won’t be in – I won’t let
you hanging.
Q: I have important things in my life, a job and family obligations. You can’t expect me to be
present for everything … can you?
A: A college education is an equally important commitment as a job or family commitment. Ask
yourself this when you think about your responsibilities at college: would I do this at work or to my
spouse?
Q: If I’m behind with my work at the end of the semester, can I get an incomplete?
A: No. I’ll only grant incompletes if you have a sudden, unexpected, mandatory and time consuming
situation.
Q: If I realize, at the end of the semester, that I’m failing, can you give me a break or help me
out? I really need this class to graduate.
A: I want to help you graduate and succeed. However, to grade fairly, I must apply the same rules
to you as everyone else in the class.
Q: It’s the end of the semester and I have 78 points. Can you raise my grade to a B?
A: No. The syllabus is a legal contract. I must follow exactly the grading procedure I described.
Q: It’s the beginning of the semester and I was to get an A in this class. Can you help me?
A: Yes! Make sure you clearly understand the lectures, reading assignments and paper assignments.
If you don’t, come see me. It’s my job to explain things and I like to do it!
Turning in work and turning in late work
Assignments will only be accepted at the beginning of class on the day the
assignment is due. No exceptions.
Late assignments will only be
accepted in person before
or after class or in person
during my office hours. No
emails, not accepted in my
mailbox nor under my office door.
Why? Student wish to fax me work, email me work, and hand me work when I’m
leaving the building. It’s difficult to keep track of 3 or 4 classes’ worth of student
work coming to me in so many different ways.
BlackBoard
Each student will be assigned a BlackBoard account. BB is a web-based
education system. BB will help facilitate classroom activities. I expect students
to check BB regularly for announcements and assignments.
You may find information about creating your BB account at
http://www.york.cuny.edu/acet/onlineteach/index.shtml
Your BB account is set up using your York College student email account (you
probably didn’t know you had one). For information about your email account
please read
http://www.york.cuny.edu/acet/communication/studentemail.shtml
Here’s why you should use your York email account.
Expectations for Writing Skills and Documentation
You are expected to use college level writing in all assignments. Some outside
assignments are to be typed. Poor writing skills such as spelling, syntax, sentence
structure may result in a lower grade.
The following outlines the college writing process.
Preparation
Involves activities such as reading, taking and reviewing notes (e.g. from
lecture), brain storming, discussing, thinking, pondering and sharpening
pencils.
Drafting
Writing the first version of the paper.
Revising
The writer puts aside the paper for a day or so and then reviews and
changes the paper. The writer may check to see if the paper is written for
the intended audience, if the theme of the paper is clearly presented, if
the purpose of the paper is clearly presented, if the author distinguishes
between facts and their interpretations and if supporting evidence is
presented.
Editing
A reader (professor) reads the paper, makes comments and suggests
changes. Then the author revises the paper.
Publishing
The final version of the paper is presented.
A Pet Peeve
Multiple page assignments must be stapled.
No paper clips or folding the corner of the pages together. Why? It doesn’t
work and parts students’ assignments have gotten lost.
No Folders. Why? It’s my pet peeve (they’re cumbersome to work with when
I’m grading).
Maintaining Academic Integrity
In meeting any academic requirement in part or in full, presenting the work,
ideas or writing of another as one’s own is subject to disciplinary action,
including the possibility of dismissal from the course. Copying or downloading
information from the internet is plagiarism unless credit is given – this includes
abstracts.
Academic dishonesty includes (but is not limited to):
1. Copying answers from another student’s test
2. Using the work of other students (e.g. copying answers on another student’s
homework assignment)
3. Taking and presenting as one’s own ideas the writing of another personal
without appropriate documentation (citation)
4. Cutting and pasting information from the internet.
For more information, please see page 29 of the York College Bulletin.
The only punishment I can give to you (based upon
York’s rules) is failure for the entire class! This F
will be a permanent F on your transcript and cannot be
removed if you retake the class and receive a higher
grade.
Disability Services
York College provides accommodations and support services to students with
disabilities. For more information, please see page 28 of the York College
Bulletin. Students who require such accommodations are responsible for
informing me at the beginning of the semester of their needs.