First Day of Class Syllabus
Fall 2015
Instructor:
Office:
Email:
Office phone:
Office hours:
Course Objectives: At the completion of this course, students will be able to demonstrate:
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5.
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7.
8.
9.
Familiarity with a course syllabus and its importance.
Understanding of the standards for university-level behavior.
Understanding of expectations for specific courses.
Awareness of the importance of meeting with the instructor ASAP when there is confusion over course content and/or
expectations.
Understanding of Buffalo State e-mail as an official means of communication.
Familiarity with the purpose of technology used at Buffalo State: Blackboard, e-mail, Degree Works, Banner
Knowledge of academic help available.
Knowledge of Information Commons in Butler Library.
Awareness of the existence of Academic Policies and Student Code of Conduct.
Rules of the Road
General Plan: In order to make discussion and disciplined thinking possible, you must come to class prepared by having done the
reading and any other assignments.
Students with Disabilities: Any student who requires accommodations to complete the requirements and expectations of this course
because of a disability is invited to make his or her needs known to the instructor and to the Director of the Disability Services Office,
120 South Wing, 878-4500.
Attendance: Many professors take attendance every class period and will keep track of your participation in class. Pay close attention
to the professor’s attendance policy and abide by it. Don’t skip classes!
Promptness and classroom conduct: Tardiness is a major pet peeve of many professors. The members of a class form a community
and all deserve to be treated with respect. Professors expect civil behavior in the classroom community. Disruptive behavior will not
be tolerated.
Assignments:
Readings: The class readings generally come from the textbook, and professors may assign additional readings on ANGEL or on
reserve in the library.
Other Assignments: Professors will provide you with additional information about papers and/or other assignments. Know the
professor’s policy on accepting (or not!) late work.
Grading: Every syllabus will indicate exactly how the professor will assign grades. Pay close attention, and ask the professor if
anything is unclear. You should meet with the professor as soon as you run into problems, because it is difficult (or sometimes
impossible) to “catch up” if you fall too far behind the rest of the students.
CEP (Critique and Evaluation Period) is also known as “finals week” at Buffalo State. It uses a different time schedule than the
regular class schedule. You need to find out when your class meets during CEP—visit the Registrar’s web site
(http://www.buffalostate.edu/registrar) for a PDF version of the schedule.
Technology: Many professors use Blackboard—the Buffalo State course management system—for a variety of purposes (syllabus,
readings, quizzes, online class discussions, etc.). Normally, you need your username and password to log on.
All Buffalo State students receive a free e-mail account through g-mail. E-mail is an official means of communication for the college,
and it is important that you read it regularly. Important information about financial aid, registration, and waitlist success will be sent
ONLY via your Buffalo State e-mail account.
Degree Works (DW) is used to keep track of your courses taken, grades, and progress toward your degree. You use the same
username for DW as for Blackboard and e-mail.
Banner is used to register for classes. It uses a different identifier--your “B number”--and password to log on.
Academic Integrity: Plagiarism is the offense of presenting somebody else's words as your own. Academically, it is cheating.
Whether intentional or the result of negligence or ignorance, plagiarism is a serious breach of professionalism. Each student is
expected to make an honest effort and to be scrupulous in maintaining academic integrity. Cheating and plagiarism will not be
tolerated, and college guidelines on academic misconduct will be enforced. Guidelines on academic misconduct are listed in the
Undergraduate Catalog, and online at http://www.buffalostate.edu/academicaffairs/x607.xml.
Planning for Success: It’s very important that you take personal responsibility for understanding and fulfilling college requirements
and for seeking help from appropriate people when you need it. Many of you have used Blackboard for the First Year Orientation
Tutorial on the Orientation web page, http://orientation.buffalostate.edu . If you have NOT completed the tutorial, you are already
behind other freshmen in terms of preparing yourself to succeed. Ask your Orientation Leader to help you find a time to take the
tutorial before classes begin.
Academic Help Available:
What?
Academic Skills Center
Writing Help Center
Writing Center
EOP Academic Center for
Excellence
Where?
SOUT 330
Butler Library
157B
KETC 323
SOUT 730
For More Information?
http://academicsupport.buffalostate.edu/academic-skills-center
http://library.buffalostate.edu/writinghelpcenter
http://english.buffalostate.edu/writing-center
http://eop.buffalostate.edu/academic-center-excellence-ace
Information Commons:
The place to go for all kinds of information! Computers, computer assistance, the Computing Help Desk, how to use the library and its
databases, writing assistance, group study rooms, equipment loan, ID cards, and even more! Go straight ahead as you enter the library
and it’s just down the stairs and slightly to the left. http://library.buffalostate.edu/ic
Student Code of Conduct:
The Code of Student Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities is available online: http://www.buffalostate.edu/studentaffairs/x527.xml.
Setting Priorities:
1. Coming to class and being prepared to learn is your priority. What you take away from this class is the most important thing
you can do with these 50 minutes.
2. Come to class prepared to engage. This is not like the movies—don’t just sit there and wait for the show to happen. Expect
interaction and engagement.
3. Time on task. Be prepared to spend 2-3 hours outside of class for every hour that you spend in class.
4. Attention is not easily divided, even though students think they can multitask.