Intimate Nature: Communication Older Than Words

Program Covenant

This program involves multifaceted work in the study of humans and nature. You, the students, are responsible for your learning as well as contributing to the Learning Community. Covenant agreements represent the minimum effort required for credit and it is expected that the large majority of students will surpass these minimums. We look for you to be willing to do your best and to seriously involve yourself with our work. We are particularly concerned that students try to optimize their progress within the program. It is preferable that you risk overextending yourself rather than “play it safe” and gain less of what the program has to offer. The objective of the program is that you become self-directed in your work and a fully functioning member of the Learning Community. All members of the community, students and faculty, are expected to commit themselves to “conversations of respect” with persons different from themselves, to learn from these conversations, and to be as open to change of opinion (if not behavior) as is humanly possible. It will not be acceptable to refuse to listen or to enter into conversations with particular persons because of differences of opinion, no matter how strongly held. Conversations of respect are two-way streets. We expect you to work in cooperation with each other, to share information, and to broaden your knowledge beyond the parameters of your current understanding.

The following points of agreement exist between the students and faculty of this program to ensure that there is a clear understanding of mutual expectations. Failure to meet these understandings and obligations will result in loss of credit. The amount of credit lost is at the discretion of the faculty member. Note: it is the stipulation of both the state and federal governments that full-time work (16 quarter hours per quarter) is equal to forty-eight hours of activity per week (eight hours per day, six days per week). The workload of all full-time programs is designed with this in mind.

1. Because we are working closely in small spaces, personal hygiene is crucial. Showering before coming to class is a good idea, and the use of any strong scents (including essential oils, perfumes, aftershaves, hair products, or incense) is prohibited.

2. Students shall complete all assignments and hand them in or perform them at the assigned time. Students will come to seminar prepared with book (or other work) in hand and notes on the reading.

3. Attendance at all program activities is mandatory. Absences need to be made up in a thoroughly detailed fashion. Unexcused absences beyond two cannot be made up and will result in an automatic loss of credit.

4. Tardiness is not acceptable. You are expected to be on time and prepared.

5. In cases where illness or an emergency precludes a student from attending a program activity, the student will notify the faculty in writing, by phone, or verbally prior to the beginning of that activity.

6. Consciousness and awareness are important to our program themes and inquiry. Therefore, drugs and alcohol are not appropriate and not tolerated at any program meeting or event.

7. Silence is a part of our program work. Students and faculty will participate in and respect designated periods of silence.

8. Incompletes shall be granted only in emergency situations.

9. Plagiarism is not acceptable.

10. Faculty and students will be willing to take intellectual risks.

11. Faculty and students will be sensitive to and cooperative with the needs of people with schedules and responsibilities different from one’s own. For example, many members of the program may have outside work, childcare issues, and other commitments.

12. We will promote a cooperative and supportive atmosphere within our program, helping to ensure that all people have the opportunity and encouragement to speak freely. We will treat each person with civility and respect, especially when disagreeing with the person’s ideas, attitudes or assumptions; and remain sensitive within the program context to any issues of racism, classism, sexism, homophobia or other forms of discrimination.

13. Faculty shall notify in writing anyone who is in danger of losing credit. This shall be done as soon as the loss of credit becomes imminent.

14. Students agree to approach their work with dedication and invest the necessary time and energy to produce significant results.

15. Students will keep a program portfolio containing program materials, assignments, notes from program meetings, workshop materials and assignments, and reflections.

16. The faculty shall allow adequate time for students to complete assignments. Due dates will be announced at the time the work is assigned. Late assignments will not be accepted for credit except in extraordinary circumstances that were beyond the student's control.

17. A rough draft of the co-authored evaluation must be sent by e-mail to the student’s faculty member prior to the evaluation conference. Failure to do so will result in the loss of one credit per evaluation. A final evaluation conference will take place only after faculty have received the e-mailed draft of the evaluation.

BY YOUR CONTINUING PRESENCE IN THE PROGRAM, YOU AGREE TO AND ACCEPT ALL OF THE CONDITIONS OF THIS COVENANT.