Spring 2001

Covenant  Astronomy & Cosmologies

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Welcome to the Astronomy & Cosmologies Covenant.  This is our agreement to work together responsibly and collegially.  Each student must read this Covenant, Evergreen's Social Contract, and the Student Conduct Code. By staying in this program after week 1, you are affirming that you have read and understood these documents, accept their conditions, and agree to abide by them. Please ask right away about anything you are unsure of. 0. Goals of the Program I.  Basic agreements II. Faculty expectations of students III. Requirements for award of credit IV. Resolving conflicts V. Observing safety VI. Commitments of faculty to students

The students and faculty will work individually and collaboratively, through a program of reading, problem solving, discussions, workshops, lectures, peer tutorials, field studies, observing, and individual projects to achieve the basic goals of this program:

• to gain understanding of scientific principles, concepts, and practices of astronomy
• to understand and practice scientific methods
• to learn about cultural and historical contexts of astronomy
• to think more clearly and critically, analytically and synthetically
• to write and speak more clearly
• to improve quantitative skills
• to research, evaluate, and synthesize new information
• to develop collaboration and presentation skills
• to contribute to a strong learning community based on diverse strengths

• respect my own and other's work
• listen to and work with my colleagues as I wish to be listened to and spoken with
• attend all program activities on time and fully prepared to participate, including collaborating, facilitating, listening, observing, speaking, writing, doing research, and other activities
• share in small and large group planning, evaluating, organizing, presenting, and other tasks related to program content, structure, and harmony.
• complete evaluations at the end of each quarter, in the context of formal and informal evaluation conferences and discussions (students write self, peer, faculty, and program evals;  faculty write self, colleague, and student evals)
• abide by this covenant, the Student Conduct Code, and the Social Contract.

A. Come on time to all program meetings, with any assigned readings, problems sets, and written work completed and ready to turn in.  Accept responsibility for your work, acknowledging that faculty do not accept late, incomplete, or "make up" work except in exceptional circumstances such as illness.

B. Participate fully in group activities, including workshops, online activities, field studies/observing, and collaborative work with classmates. You are expected to do viewing and make-up viewing on your own, especially when weather does not permit group viewing.  If you are ill and cannot make a class, you are expected to leave a voice-mail message for Dr. Zita at x6853 or email zita@evergreen.edu ASAP.

C. Work responsibly with peers to stay abreast of class information and team research.  Turn in weekly research progress reports with your team. Check the online syllabus at least once a week for updates: http://192.211.16.13/curricular/astro2001/syllabus.html

D. Refrain from disruptions. Turn off your beeper.  Don't interrupt.  It goes without saying that harassment or substance abuse will not be tolerated.

E. Dicuss promptly with faculty any difficulties, confusions, problems, etc. that you have with any aspect of the program.

F. Take appropriate responsibility for your own learning and for class dynamics.

G. Develop and maintain a portfolio of all your work in the program.

H. Attend midquarter and end-of-quarter evaluation conferences.

I. Write a self-evaluation that reflects your achievement by the end of the program.

J. Write an evaluation of each faculty member and deliver them to the  program secretary no later than the date of your end-of-quarter evaluation conference.

A. Each student who consistently attends and participates in lectures, workshops, observing, online activities, group projects, and all other scheduled activites; who completes all the assigned work; who completes the exams; and who turns in a self-evaluation, all with acceptable content and quality and ON TIME, can expect to receive full credit.

B. Any student whose work appears not to be meeting standards for credit will be notified by his or her faculty by the end of the fifth week of the quarter, with suggestions for improvement. Students who do not receive a written mid-quarter warning may nevertheless be denied credit based on unsatisfactory performance or incomplete work after the fifth week.

C. Any student who plagiarizes material through failure to fairly attribute and acknowledge sources or through failure to acknowledge joint authorship, or who cheats on a quiz or exam, is liable to lose all credit for the quarter and may be suspended from the college.

A. We assume everyone enters the program in a spirit of goodwill. Evergreen's Social Contract  presents a "guide for civility and individual freedom."  The  Student Conduct Code (WAC 174-120) advises what to do if something goes wrong. You are expected to completely read, understand, and abide by Evergreen's Social Contract and the Student Conduct Code by the first week of this program   See the online documents at http://www.evergreen.edu/user/pol_proc/wac120.htm and http://www.evergreen.edu/user/catalogs/undergrad/contract.htm.  Paper copies are also available.

B. Sometimes conflicts arise in a program. The first step toward resolution should always be to directly engage the parties involved face-to-face (student-student, student-faculty, or faculty - faculty).  Especially in group research, you might need to discuss issues such as team cooperation, sharing duties equitably, and so on.  If necessary, faculty will act as mediators, but only if really necessary.  Student-student or student-faculty difficulties should always be brought to a faculty member in the program before going to Deans.  If the unusual situation of a serious class conflict arises, we will try to resolve it in class first, and involve outside parties only if absolutely necessary.  If this is necessary, we will follow the grievance procedures in Evergreen's Administrative Code.

C. Attendance at your evaluation conference is required for credit, except in truly extreme circumstances.  Missing your evaluation conference can result in full loss of credit, and forfeits your input into your evaluation.  Any credit dispute or disagreement over wording in an evaluation should be discussed in your evaluation conference.  Otherwise, any requests for changes should be made to the faculty in writing before talking to Deans.  Mediation would be the next step. Changes to evaluations are rare and time-consuming; secretaries sometimes take six months to process evaluations changes, which can affect registration and financial aid.

D. You can be dismissed immediately from the classroom, the program, and perhaps the college for illegal, unsafe, or disruptive behavior (Student Conduct Code above). If your work does not meet standards (section II of this Covenant), you may be asked to leave the program.

We will be observing on the roofs, hills, or dark sites about once a week. (Please tell your faculty if you need handicapped accomodation.) For the safety of your classmates, yourself, and the equipment, these guidelines must be followed. One violation gets a warning; two violations are liable to eliminate your group observing priveleges, even though group observing is required.

A. Never look directly at the sun. It can blind you - quickly, painlessly, and irreversably.

B. Use the Meade LX 200 telescope:

• only after you have been certified by faculty, TA,  or experienced Lab Stores staff as properly trained, and
• always according to training guidelines (ask for a refresher if you need one)

• every single person needs her or his own flashlight (please dim it with red tape or nail polish so it doesn't ruin observers' night vision)
• stay on paths and in designated areas
• stay away from the edge of the roof
• do not climb on any structures, including skylights and antenna - no horseplay!
• communicate appropriately to avoid accidents in the dark
• absolutely no alcohol or drug use is permitted
• promptly report to faculty any violations you observe, for everyone's safety

A. Prepare for and guide student learning via reading and discussions of our material,  field studies and workshops, group and individual projects, and other assignments and activities.

B. Oversee the program TA's  review of students' written work so it is read, commented upon, and returned in a timely manner.

C. Listen to students' questions and concerns about the material, pace, and/or organization of the program, and resopnd as the faculty deems appropriate.

D. Be available at least one hour per week for "office hours", which may occur in the office, electronically, or after class, to address individual questions and concerns.  Notify the program secretary in case of unscheduled absences.

E. Notify each student by the sixth week of the quarter if his or her work is not satisfactory.

F. Provide a written evaluation of each student's work at the end of each quarter, following the guidelines of section 7.620 of the Faculty Handbook.

G.  Fulfill obligations fo the planning area, the larger campus community, and our professional communities.