Course Policies

Fall

Learner Support

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

From the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD): Michigan State University is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. Requests for accommodations by persons with disabilities may be made by contacting the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities at 517-884-RCPD or on the web at rcpd.msu.edu. Once your eligibility for an accommodation has been determined, you will be issued a Verified Individual Services Accommodation (“VISA”) form. Please present this form to me at the start of the term and/or two weeks prior to the accommodation date (test, project, etc.). Requests received after this date may not be honored.

Resource Persons with Disabilities (RCPD)

    Student Resources

    MSU Resources for Students

    • CAPS Virtual Care Kit
    • The Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities – RCPD offers resources, support, and accommodations to students with disabilities. This can include, but is not limited to, autism spectrum disorders, blindness and visual impairment, brain injury, chronic health disabilities, deaf / hard of hearing, learning disabilities and attention deficit, mobility disabilities psychiatric disabilities, and temporary conditions.  
    • Counseling and Psychiatric Services – CAPS is the place on campus for students seeking help for a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, stress management, homesickness, adjustment or acculturation, relationships, gender identity and sexual orientation (LBGTQ) concerns, substance abuse, trauma, eating or body image concerns, and other personal mental health concerns. 
    • Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, and Transgender Resource Center – The Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, and Transgender Resource Center leads and collaborates on university-wide initiatives that prepare students to thrive in our diverse world, and enhances the campus climate and support services for students marginalized by their sexuality or gender identity. 
    • Office of the University Ombudsperson – Whether you are a student, faculty member, or staff, the Office of the University Ombudsperson offers a confidential place to discuss both academic and nonacademic concerns including, administrative issues, workplace issues, or any concern that may relate to Michigan State University students. 
    • The Online Engagement Center, part of the Neighborhood Student Success Collaborative – We promote academic proficiency, institutional navigation and socio-emotional engagement, which support student success. We do this through: Academic advising and academic success coaching, Engagement Center resources, our student success programs (Spartan Success Scholars, DOW STEM Scholars Program, and Detroit M.A.D.E. Scholars Program) and Collaborative Learning Center (where we train peer educators across the university, provide success skill workshops, and are experts on non-cognitive indicators of academic success 

    Academic Honesty

    The Spartan Code of Honor states, “As a Spartan, I will strive to uphold values of the highest ethical standard. I will practice honesty in my work, foster honesty in my peers, and take pride in knowing that honor is worth more than grades. I will carry these values beyond my time as a student at Michigan State University, continuing the endeavor to build personal integrity in all that I do.” In addition, Article 2.III.B.2 of the Student Rights and Responsibilities states that “The student shares with the faculty the responsibility for maintaining the integrity of scholarship, grades, and professional standards.” The Neuroscience Program adheres to the policies on academic honesty as specified in General Student Regulations 1.0, Protection of Scholarship and Grades; the all-University Policy on Integrity of Scholarship and Grades; and Ordinance 17.00, Examinations.

    Therefore, unless authorized by your instructor, you are expected to complete all course assignments, including homework, lab work, quizzes, tests and exams, without assistance from any source. You are expected to develop original work for this course; therefore, you may not submit course work you completed for another course to satisfy the requirements for this course. Also, you are not authorized to use sites like www.allmsu.com or www.koofers.com to complete any course work in this course. Students who violate MSU academic integrity rules may receive a penalty grade, including a failing grade on the assignment or in the course. Contact your instructor if you are unsure about the appropriateness of your course work. (See also the Academic Integrity webpage.)

    Faculty are required to report all instances in which a penalty grade is given for academic dishonesty.  Students reported for academic dishonesty are required to take an online course about the integrity of scholarship and grades.  A hold will be placed on the student’s account until such time as the student completes the course. This course is overseen by the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education.

    Please review the documents posted in the Begin Here! Channel in Teams.

    Resources

    Course Climate

    We are all working together toward the same goals in this course! By building a strong learning community from the start, we all benefit.

    Please review the documents posted in the Course Climate Tab in the Begin Here! Channel in the Class Team.

    Student-student interactions

    Get to know your team members. You will spend the next 14 weeks discussing the material and helping each other learn. It is critical that all behavior in the class is respectful. Part of being a strong teammate is being a good listener (or reader in our case), being motivating and empathetic, and providing constructive feedback. We will focus on these characteristics throughout the semester.

    Student-teacher interactions

    If you find that you have any trouble keeping up with assignments or other aspects of the course, make sure you let me know as early as possible. As you will find, building rapport and effective relationships are key to becoming an effective professional. Make sure that you are proactive in informing me when difficulties arise during the semester so that I can help you find a solution.

    Appropriate Netiquette

    • Be professional. Interact with your fellow classmates and instructor as you would in your professional life. Use appropriate language and grammar. Be clear and concise.
    • Have opinions but be respectful of disagreement.
    • Be cautious with humor or sarcasm. It’s not that we want to create a dull environment devoid of fun, but it is very easy for these tones to be lost in text. If you want to make jokes or be sarcastic, indicate your intent with emoticons or a sarcasm tag “/s”.
    • Read all posts within a thread before replying. Avoid repeating what others have already said.
    • Be kind. Be respectful.

    Disruptive Behavior

    Article 2.III.B.4 of the Student Rights and Responsibilities at Michigan State University states: “The student’s behavior in the classroom shall be conducive to the teaching and learning process for all concerned.” Article 2.III.B.10 states that “The student and the faculty share the responsibility for maintaining professional relationships based on mutual trust and civility.” General Student Regulation 5.02 states: “No student shall obstruct, disrupt, or interfere with the functions, services, or directives of the University, its offices, or its employees (e.g., classes, social, cultural, and athletic events, computing services, registration, housing and food services, governance meetings, and hearings).” Students whose conduct adversely affects the learning environment in this classroom may be subject to disciplinary action through the Student Judicial Affairs office.

    Technology Resources

    MSU Tech Support

    Microsoft Software

    Desire 2 Learn

    Other Policies

    Limits to Confidentiality

    Essays, journals, and other materials submitted for this class are generally considered confidential pursuant to the University’s student record policies. However, students should be aware that University employees, including instructors, may not be able to maintain confidentiality when it conflicts with their responsibility to report certain issues to protect the health and safety of MSU community members and others. As the instructor, I must report the following information to other University offices (including the Department of Police and Public Safety) if you share it with me:

    • Suspected child abuse/neglect, even if this maltreatment happened when you were a child,
    • Allegations of sexual assault or sexual harassment when they involve MSU students, faculty, or staff, and
    • Credible threats of harm to oneself or to others.

    These reports may trigger contact from a campus official who will want to talk with you about the incident that you have shared. In almost all cases, it will be your decision whether you wish to speak with that individual. If you would like to talk about these events in a more confidential setting you are encouraged to make an appointment with the MSU Counseling Center.

    Commercialized Lecture Notes

    As members of a learning community, students are expected to respect the intellectual property of course instructors. All course materials presented to students are the copyrighted property of the course instructor and are subject to the following conditions of use:

    Students may not post recordings or other course materials online or distribute them to anyone not enrolled in the class without the advance written permission of the course instructor and, if applicable, any students whose voice or image is included in the recordings.

    Commercialization of lecture notes and university-provided course materials is not permitted in this course.

    Any student violating the conditions described above may face academic disciplinary sanctions, including receiving a penalty grade in the course.