COVENANT

Art of Conversation Fall, 2009

A. EXPECTATIONS FOR LEARNING. Students and the faculty agree to work individually and collaboratively to realize the learning objectives of the program. It is essential that all members of the program show respect for others, maintain civil discourse, and adhere to the Social Contract.

The faculty will contribute her disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives to facilitate student learning through the program design and implementation.  Students agree to be prepared to speak and listen well; take every opportunity to go beyond self-limitations; commit to learning in each program meeting; take responsibility for becoming a contributing member of the group; complete assignments on time; arrive to class on time, and attend all meetings of the program. Art of Conversation is a full time program and designed as a standard 16-credit load. That is, you will have at least 40 hours per week for academic work including attending class.  Some students might spend considerably more than 40 hours (with an appropriate payback in learning!), but those who spend less (or who are not focused!) will likely not succeed.

B.  FACTORS TO BE COUNTED IN THE EVALUATION PROCESS. Students understand that they will be evaluated at the end of the quarter based on the learning objectives detailed in the program syllabus and meeting the requirements listed in this document. It is good practice to attend regularly.  If you miss class, you miss part of the essential learning opportunities.  Although consistent attendance is expected, students may miss the equivalent of one week of class with no penalty. If you will miss a class, you must contact your faculty sponsor by email or telephone before the class begins. You are responsible for discussing the program activity with other students and asking about announcements you may have missed.  Every effort will be made to keep the program website up to date with changes or additions to the work.  You must complete your work on time.  Faculty will accept only one piece of late work during the quarter. No incompletes will be awarded. Students agree that they will submit a formal self-evaluation to the faculty and to Registration when they leave the program and that this document will be a crucial part of their evaluation.

C.  LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE EXPECTED OF THE STUDENTS. The faculty shall assume that students are able to meet the college-level requirements of the program.  For help with writing, students should schedule time with a writing tutor in the Writing Center.  If students have learning disabilities, they should contact Access Services (867-6348) and inform themselves of the resources the college offers.  In addition, it is very important to inform the faculty of your disability at the earliest possible date so that accommodations can be made.  If you have other responsibilities that result in your not meeting program requirements, it is essential that you speak with your faculty to discuss the ways in which you can minimize credit loss.

D.  EVALUATION OF STUDENTS. Credit is not the same as positive evaluation. Students receive credit for fulfilling minimum requirements and standards.  The evaluation is a statement describing the quality of the student’s work.  It is possible for a student to receive credit but receive an evaluation that describes poor quality work.  It is also possible for a student to attend regularly yet receive no or reduced credit because of unsatisfactory performance.

E.  EVALUATION CONFERENCES. Students agree to attend end-of-quarter evaluation conferences with the faculty member during evaluation week.  If an unforeseen event prevents this availability, students agree to inform the faculty member as soon as possible and to make alternate arrangements for a conference.

At the evaluation conference, the faculty will discuss the student’s self-evaluation and the faculty evaluation of the student.  In preparation for that meeting, students will submit a draft self-evaluation Week X and a final, typed, formal self-evaluation by the end of evaluation week to Registration. Students will also submit a typed, formal evaluation of the faculty member by the end of evaluation week.  Students who for any reason are concerned about faculty fairness may opt to submit the evaluation of the faculty member to the program secretary and ask that it be held until the faculty member has submitted their student evaluations.

F.  GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES. If a student has a grievance regarding the faculty member or another student, the following steps to resolve it must be taken in the order listed:

1.      Take up the concern with the party or parties involved in the grievance.

2.      If the grievance involves another student(s) and still is not resolved, meet with the faculty to discuss it.

3.      If still not resolved, meet with academic dean Paul Przyblowicz.

G. CREDIT. 16 or 12  quarter hours of credit will be awarded for satisfactory completion of program requirements, depending on your registration.  Partial credit may be granted if full credit is not warranted.

H. PLAGIARISM. Whenever you copy/paste (or otherwise use) material from sources other than yourself (or your partner or team who is authoring the document with you), you must so specify.  Even if you paraphrase and do not quote directly from another source, you must indicate your source.  Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in substantial loss of credit.

I. STUDENTS MAY BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PROGRAM. If a student repeatedly disrupts the attempts of others to learn, the faculty member will warn the student that continuation of this behavior will result in his or her dismissal from the program.

J. RECREATIONAL DRUG USE. Any recreational drug use at a program event will be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program.

K. THE SOCIAL CONTRACT. www.evergreen.edu/aboutevergreen/social.htm

As a learning community, we can thrive only if we respect the rights of others while enjoying our own rights. Students and faculty may differ widely in their specific interests, in the degree and kinds of experiences they bring to Evergreen, and in their viewpoints on a variety of issues. All must share alike in prizing academic and interpersonal honesty, in responsibly obtaining and in providing full and accurate information, and in resolving their differences through due process and with a strong will to collaboration. To that end, faculty and students in this program understand that everyone at Evergreen is bound by Evergreen’s Social Contract, which sets forth rights and responsibilities essential to promoting and maintaining a learning community that is vibrant, creative and effective.

L. CAMPUS SMOKING POLICY: Evergreen is a smoke free campus, excluding the several designated smoking areas. If you do smoke, make sure to educate yourself about the potentially fatal risks to yourself and others who inhale your smoke. Please use the designated areas only.

By continuing in this program students and faculty accept the terms of this covenant.