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Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat do I do if...
More questions about classroom policies ...
I’m locked out of my classroom? I need to get in touch with someone “after
hours?” Other key departments maintain extended hours through most of the work week. I need audio-visual equipment? Faculty members will find photocopying machines available for use at the following
locations. Faculty support services can also make classroom copies with advance notice—three days notice is preferred. Fill out a form to request the work — they are available in faculty support services offices or click here. Each office has a telephone with its own number. To make calls within the University (using a campus phone), preface the four-digit extension with a 5 for Hamilton, 7 for Middletown, and 9 for Oxford. For instance, from a phone on campus you can reach the main switchboard at MUM by dialing 7-3200—from the outside the number is 727-3200. From a campus phone, dial 88 to get an outside local line and 81 for long distance. Campus phones that will allow you to call anywhere on campus (or make emergency 911 calls) without charge are located in the hallways of every floor of Johnston, Thesken and Levey, except the second floor of Johnson (a phone is available there in the Faculty Lounge). If you must cancel class due to illness or unavoidable circumstances, you should contact the faculty secretary in your building (area code 513):
AND the switchboard operator (727-3200). Also notify your chair or coordinator. The weather is so bad I think all classes might be canceled? It is Miami's policy to hold classes as scheduled, except during emergency situations. In the event of severe weather, the University Provost, in consultation with appropriate personnel on each campus, decides whether classes will be held or canceled. If classes are to be canceled, a decision will be made by 6 a.m. for daytime classes and 3 p.m. for evening classes. There are several ways to stay informed: First, check the MUM Web site (www.mid.muohio.edu). We will post closings, cancellations and late starts on this web page. Click on "Weather Update" under the News column (far left) for the latest information. Second, our weather phone line at 727-3477. This phone line lists cancellations by morning, afternoon and evening classes. Third, listen to radio or television announcements. Of course this applies only to campus-wide c losings or postponements, not to individual classes. The radio stations we supply information to include: WMOH(1450), WLW(700), WPFB(910)and WHIO(1290) AM; and WMUB(88.5), WOXY(97) and WPFB(105.9) FM. We also notify most Cincinnati and Dayton television stations. Finally, last year we began using the Miami Emergency Text Messaging System in the event that our campus closes. However, you must register your cell phone number to receive an emergency text alert. Please go to muohio.edu/police, click on the Emergency Text Message icon and follow the instructions. If the campus is closed, a text message will be sent to your phone. I find a student who is cheating? Miami’s student handbook has specific prohibitions against academic fraud and misconduct. At the same time, a student has certain “due process” rights that must be respected. If a student is cheating, it’s a good idea to consult your coordinator or chair to make sure the situation is handled according university policy. A student in class is being disruptive? For an emergency: If immediate action is warranted, ask the student to leave class. If the situation is severe or the student refused to leave, call campus security (7-3333) and/or the Middletown Police (911 or 425-7700), depending on the seriousness of the incident. Although faculty members may ask a student to leave class for disruptive behavior, unless a grievance procedure is instituted, this may not exclude the student from returning to subsequent class meetings. If disruptive behavior recurs, the instructor should institute disciplinary actions by contacting Robert Rusbosin, Regional Senior Associate Dean of Students (727-3326 or rusbosrh@muohio.edu). Even if you don’t initiate a grievance, you will be asked to file a report with Student Affairs after any incident. These reports not only allow Student Affairs to investigate, but help make sure a pattern of disruption does not go undetected because the incidents occur in different classes or semesters. For a hostile environment - If you feel uncomfortable with student behavior
in class or during student conferences, consult you’re your coordinator/chair
for assistance with future encounters with the student. For recurring disruptive
behavior, a grievance may be filed with the Office of Student Affairs. There is a medical emergency in class? If possible, remain with the victim while you send someone to call 911 and report the victim's location and symptoms. In case of an accident, don't move a seriously injured person unless the victim is in a life-threatening situation. There are first-aid kits in the campus security office (7-3333, 153 Johnston Hall) and in the business services office (7-3400, 116A Johnston Hall). For additional information, see the Emergency Procedures Handbook. I have a student who needs serious academic or personal counseling? Student Services can help in both cases. The Middletown campus offers learning assistance in a variety of formats including Reading/Writing and math Lab, one-one tutoring study tables; and individualized consultations about time managements, study skills and test-taking strategies. With the assistance of faculty, this office initiates academic interventions for students who are experiencing academic difficulties. Call 7-3440 to make a referral. The university also provides cost-free and confidential counseling services
to current students. If you notice students exhibiting behavior that may warrant
personal or career counseling, please contact this office. If you are concerned
about the well-being or health of a student, do not hesitate to call 7-3431. What should I include in my course syllabus? Each faculty member is required to create a detailed syllabus for each course they teach, and distribute it to each student on or shortly after the first class meeting. This syllabus should include:
Some faculty members also include statements about:
A syllabus is regarded as a virtual contract between the faculty member and
the students. Don’t change the basic rules and requirements of the course
once they are communicated in the syllabus. Your syllabus may specify a schedule
of topics, test dates, etc., as tentative, but everything else is really “set
in stone” once it appears in the syllabus. Even if your syllabus is on
a web site or on Blackboard, please distribute a hard copy to each student in
the class at the first class meeting. What is Miami University's attendance policy? There is no specific attendance policy prescribed by the university. Each instructor is free to define a policy, or have no policy at all. In any case, you should make your policy about attendance clear to all students, include it in your syllabus and enforce it consistently and fairly. The most important aspect is the communication of the policy and treating all students the same. A student who does not attend regularly or who fails to meet the attendance requirements of the instructor may be reported to the Registrar and be dropped from the course with a grade of "F", with written notification being sent to the student. Each faculty member is expected to establish and maintain regular office hours in order to be readily available to students and other staff. On or near the beginning of the semester a form will be circulated by the Faculty Support Office on which each individual's office hours can be indicated. Anyone teaching three classes or more should have a minimum of seven hours spread throughout the academic week. The number of hours may be proportionally less for lower teaching loads, but every faculty member should make time available to meet with students outside of class The Faculty Support Office will then compile a master list of office hours and: 1. Send a copy to the Dean and members of all faculty and staff. 2. Post these schedules outside the secretarial pool offices. Are student evaluations required in every class? All faculty are required to have all classes evaluated by students in some formal manner that is appropriate to the specific type of course. The only exceptions are independent studies with individual students or classes with fewer than five students enrolled. When student-teacher evaluation forms are utilized by the instructor, a student in the class should be charged with collecting the forms and sealing them in an envelope. The sealed envelope should immediately be returned by the student to the location designated by the campus department or coordinatorship. The envelope will then be sent to the Computer Center in Oxford. After scoring, the Computer Center will forward the scores to the Chair. Information normally is also shared with the Dean. Forms and information are returned to the faculty member by the Chair after final grades for the semester are submitted. When used exclusively for faculty self-improvement, the faculty member may administer his or her own evaluation instruments and utilize the results before final grades are submitted. Do I have to give a final exam? Unless you are otherwise directed by your Chair or Coordinator, a final exam will be given in each course and this exam must be given at the specified day and time during exam week. We also encourage faculty to give comprehensive final exams. The scheduled day and time of an exam cannot be changed by the instructor. If you have a compelling reason for requesting a change, you must obtain permission from your coordinator and the Associate Executive Director of the appropriate campus. It is University policy that no tests or “major” quizzes can be given during the last week of classes. Please ask your coordinator if you have any questions about this. It is important that we all adhere to this policy. Also, it is absolutely forbidden to give your final exam prior to exam week. What are the "first week alerts?" The beginning of each semester is a very hectic time, and some situations occur
then that do not occur throughout the remainder of the semester. You can prepare
yourself by considering the following:
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