This program is an experimental and collaborative enterprise.  You, the students, are responsible for your learning as well as that of your peers.  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 try new ideas and new ways of expressing yourself.  We are particularly concerned that each student try to optimize their progress within the program, whatever your prior experience with program material may be. It is preferable that you risk overextending yourself rather than  "playing it safe" and gain less of what the program has to offer.  An important objective of the program is that you become self-directed in your work and a fully functioning member of this learning community.  

The following points of agreement have been laid out between the students and faculty of this program to insure that there is a clear understanding of what is expected of each.  Failure to meet these understandings and obligations will result in loss of credit.  It is the stipulation of both the state and federal governments that 16 quarter hours of credit is equal to forty-eight hours of activity per week (including class time).   The workload of all full-time programs is designed to be three hours of student work (including class) per week.

Expectations of Faculty
The learning community can expect faculty members to:

1.    Be prepared for lectures, workshops, and other activities as scheduled.
2.    Help facilitate book seminars each week.
3.    Attend all program activities required of the entire group of students when not ill or absent for professional or religious reasons.
4.    Allow adequate time for students to complete assignments.  Due dates will be announced at the time the work is assigned.
5.    Give prompt and meaningful feedback to all student assignments.
6.    Be available to students by appointment.
7.    Give students appropriate feedback throughout the quarter so that written evaluations are not a surprise.
8.    Notify students if their work to date is not meeting the requirements for full credit.
9.    Write an evaluation for each assigned student.
10.    Participate in the administrative business of the program.
11.    Continually work to create a community that respects differences and encourages an environment where students and faculty can learn with and from each other.
12.    Abide by Evergreen's social contract: (http://www.evergreen.edu/aboutevergreen/social.htm)


Expectations of Students
The learning community can expect students to:

1.    Complete all assignments and present them at the assigned time. In all but the most extenuating of circumstances, work that is submitted past its due date and time will not be evaluated by faculty and the evaluation will state that the work was not submitted in a timely fashion. Late assignments will not be accepted for credit except in reasonable circumstances that were beyond the student's control.
2.    Attend at all program activities.  Two absences per quarter is the limit before you will lose credit.  Credit will be lost at the rate of one unit for every two additional absences (three absences = minus one credit, five = minus two, seven = minus three, etc.).
3.    Arrive on time.  Tardiness is not acceptable.  You are expected to be on time and prepared.  After one half-hour, a late student will be counted as absent.            
6.    A student may have four late arrivals per quarter.  After that, you will lose credit.  Credits will be lost at the rate of one credit for every two additional late arrivals (five lates = minus one credit, seven = minus two, nine = minus three, etc.).
4.    NOTIFY the faculty in writing (eg. e-mail), by phone, or verbally prior to the beginning of any program activity the student cannot attend due to illness or an emergency.
5.    Approach their work with dedication and invest the necessary time to produce significant results.
6.    Consult with their faculty whenever they need clarification about any aspect of the program, the readings or other activities.
7.    Write Self and Faculty Evaluations by the time of the final evaluation conference.  Failure to do so will result in loss of one credit unit per evaluation.
8.    Abide by Evergreen's social contract (http://www.evergreen.edu/aboutevergreen/social.htm)
9.    Act as a steward of the campus and any other areas visited this quarter. The Pacific NW is an incredible place and Evergreen is in a particularly beautiful location. We have all chosen to come here and make this our home for various lengths of time. Let’s celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of this place. Take some ownership and pride in being here—clean up after yourself, pick up after others, and do your part to make your corner of Evergreen sparkle.

Good Housekeeping

1.     Conflict resolution. Although we will all strive to maintain a smooth running program, conflict happens and can be healthy if handled well. Resolution of disagreement between a student and a faculty member should be attempted first by the two parties involved, then with the whole faculty team. If resolution cannot be reached at this point, we will use the college's established grievance procedure. Students should strive to resolve conflict between themselves, but your faculty is available to act as a mediator if needed.
2.    Credit is not the same thing as high quality work. Full credit may be given when students fulfill the college-level requirements and standards of the program. The evaluation is used to describe the QUALITY of the student's work. Thus, a student could actually receive credit, but also receive evaluations that reflect poor quality work. On the flip side, a student could attend regularly but receive partial or no credit because of poor quality or missing work.
3.    Partial credit. This program awards 16 quarter hours. There is no partial credit unless approved by the faculty.
4.    Incompletes shall be granted only in emergency situations.
5.    A student may be asked to leave the program if his or her behavior is consistently disruptive, antagonistic, and impedes the program from progressing. The faculty members' decision will be binding, although students always have access to the college's grievance procedures.

A student's continued registration in this course indicates his or her willingness to abide by these duties and responsibilities.