Graduate Assistant Handbook

General Teaching Procedures

1. Meet and dismiss classes on time. (It is suggested you have a watch as most rooms do not have clocks nor are there bells.)

2. Do not cancel classes. If you are forced to miss a class, follow the procedures outlined below:

   1. It is important to not miss classes during the first week of classes, the last week of classes, or during the final exam and grading period.
   2. If forced to miss a class period for any reason, you must notify the department immediately either by voice mail (x2568) or e-mail to the department secretary or the associate chair.
   3. If you know in advance about an absence, notify the department in writing or e-mail to get approval from the associate chair.
   4. Do not cancel your class. You are responsible to find a substitute. The substitute must be an experienced teaching assistant or math instructor. You must inform the department office of the name of the substitute.

3. Distribute a Syllabus. If a departmental syllabus is not available for the course you are teaching, you will need to provide one of your own for your students. Copies of all syllabi should be submitted to the departmental secretary. The syllabus includes:

   • your name
   • phone number(s) where students can reach you or leave messages
   • your e-mail address (if any)
   • course name and number
   • description of the course/class expectations
   • method of grading
   • attendance requirements (if any)
   • general calendar, listing due dates and test/final exam dates
   • list of required textbooks and materials
   • list of required readings and assignments
   • other information that is required by the department

   You should regard the syllabus as a contract between you and the students. Since the syllabus will serve as a resource for resolving issues should a dispute arise, please include sufficient information regarding the course and your expectations.

4. General records. You are required to maintain records pertaining to the activities of your class, such as attendance records and student grades. You must keep your records through the subsequent semester; this is important, since these will be examined in the event of a dispute or question initiated by a student. You must submit your final grade sheet and two copies of final exams to the department secretary at the end of the semester.

5. Office hours. You are to have at least three office hours per week and post the times on your office door as well as give the times to the secretaries on the forms distributed via your mailboxes. Be sure to hold your posted office hours. You will have some of your office hours assigned in one of the Learning Centers.

6. Announce Course Prerequisites. Your students must have met prerequisites for your course. If unsure about course prerequisites, consult with the associate chair or the coordinator of the course.

7. Rosters. Class rosters will be distributed within the first week of the semester and updated as registration becomes final. Because you will probably not have a roster on the first day of class, you should collect information regarding the people who are in your class during the first week.

8. Registration Policies for Add/Drop and Withdrawal. (Details are on the last page of this handbook.)

   Adding a class or Registering Late

   If seats are available, a student may add a class during the first three (3) calendar days of a semester without an instructor's signature. Between calendar days 4-15, inclusively, a student may add a course by obtaining the signature of the instructor. It is strongly recommended that you check with the associate chair about the enrollment status of your section and other sections in considering the viability of adding any additional students.

   Dropping a Class

   During the first 15 calendar days of the semester a student may drop a class with no record on his/her transcript.

   Withdrawing from a Class

   A student may withdraw from a class during calendar day 16 through Friday of week 8, inclusively. A grade of "W" will appear on the student's transcript. It is the responsibility of the student to submit to the Records Office the official form to "Drop" or "Withdraw". It is very important to remind students of these deadlines.

   IW Grade

   An instructor may issue a grade of "IW" (Instructor Withdrawal) to students who register for a class and either never attend or stop attending and fail to withdraw. This grade must be reported by the end of the 10th week. This grade is to handle problems that arise from errors in registration and related technical problems, but not as a means to avoid receiving a failing grade. Student's request of I grades must be directed to the associate chair.

9. "IN" Grade. An "IN" (Incomplete) grade may be given to a student who is passing or should probably pass if a missed test or assignment about which the student has contacted you is completed. NOTE: The "IN" is not a substitute for an "F", nor is it intended as a device for a student to repeat the course. It is an emergency grade that turns to a grade of "F" if not removed within one semester. In addition, please note the following procedure for giving the grade of IN:

   1. Get the associate chairs approval to give the "IN".
   2. Fill out the "Incomplete" Grade form with the student so it is clear to both parties what is necessary to complete the course.
   3. Give the associate chair the completed and signed form.

10. Announce Final Exams According to the Schedule. A copy of this timetable can be found in the Schedule of Classes book and at the end of this booklet. This schedule is set by the University and must be followed as printed. (No exceptions especially not for vacation conveniences!) Any possible request to change the day and/or time of your exam must be cleared with the associate chair. There is no policy which would exempt students from taking final exams. Do not fall for excuses such as, "I am a graduating senior, we do not have to take finals" or "I have four exams scheduled for the same day."

11. Class Procedures. Follow the syllabus and try to keep pace. Check with the faculty member that coordinates the course you are teaching as to departmental syllabus, testing, etc. That individual can also assist you regarding the pace of the course and coverage of material. If you have comments or complaints about course content, talk with the course coordinator or funnel them to the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee or the associate chair. Do not change the course unilaterally.

12. Grades. Grades are a means of evaluating student progress, and graded assignments should be given to students periodically throughout the semester. Not only will periodic grades be a continual way to record student progress, but they also will be a way for you as the instructor to evaluate how well the material is being conveyed to your students. As part of the "math experiment" you will be asked to assess student progress after the first three weeks. Make sure you have graded work by this date so you can target students who are having difficulty.

    Final grades are due the first Monday following exam week and all instructors are expected to have their grades submitted by this time, with a copy submitted to the departmental secretary.

13. Please give at least one mid-term exam and return it to the students before the withdrawal deadline. Students need to know where they stand in the course with regards to grading before the end of the time that they can drop or withdraw from the course.

14. Academic Dishonesty. The University has guidelines regarding academic dishonesty. Should you encounter this in any of the classes, please contact the associate chair immediately.

15. Teaching Evaluation. Every instructor is required to administer student evaluations of classroom instruction each semester. Results will be made available to you in the subsequent semester. New Part-time instructors and teaching assistants can expect to be observed and evaluated during their first term teaching for the department. As time permits peer evaluations will also be done of continuing part-time instructors and teaching assistants.

16. Student Problems. If any problems on procedures, student relations, testing, etc. occur, please confer with the associate chair.

17. In the circumstance of repeated and flagrant lapses of responsibilities, disciplinary action may be taken in the form of a letter reprimand, the docking of pay, or termination of the assistantship or employment.

18. Professionalism. In accepting this teaching position, you have made a serious commitment, not only to the department, but to your students. Perhaps the most important aspect of professionalism revolves around honoring this commitment and being able to meet the aspects of it that you have set forth for your students. Aspects of professionalism include the following:

    • Respect your students. It is important that you are sensitive to and respect the needs and backgrounds of your students.
    • Having respect for your own position and maintaining a professional attitude. You should exhibit enthusiasm for your position, but be careful to avoid being overly authoritarian or too informal in maintaining discipline.
    • Meeting your commitments to the class. Not only should you be on time and hold class for the full amount of time, but you should always come to class prepared, return student work on time, and keep the office hours that you have established.
    • Being prepared for a variety of reactions and emotions during class discussions. Students may also exhibit varied responses to the grades they earn. In both of these instances, professionalism entails maintaining calm objectivity.
    • Avoid confrontation with an irate student and do not allow one student to intimidate another during class discussions.
    • Helping to keep rooms clean by not allowing smoking or eating in the classrooms, as University policy mandates.
    • Remaining calm and orderly during a possible emergency within the classroom or building and following established emergency guidelines, which include:
      • Contacting security at 419.530.2600 in the event that a health emergency arises, or if an altercation erupts
      • Contacting 911
      • Following established University safety guidelines during fire alarms and tornado drills

19. Class Preparation. The key aspect to classroom management is class preparation. You should have a plan for class every time you teach. This daily plan should extend to encompass the goal of the semester and serve to make connections from day to day. A plan that is conceived well should also serve to establish connections to the world outside of the classroom. You should be sensitive to the career goals of your students, and work to incorporate their interests into your plan.

    A typical plan would include:

    • Objectives for the day
    • Organization of lecture
    • Alternative activities
    • Examples you intend to use
    • Intended assignments

    Strict adherence to a plan is not always possible; therefore, it is important that you are able to be flexible with this plan, and allow for changes. This may necessitate some overplanning on your part.

    Since some plans may require materials beyond those provided in the classrooms, it is your responsibility to have any extra materials or aids ready for usage in your classroom. Any materials that you need to order should be ordered at least a week in advance, if possible.

Math Placement Test Web Sites

There is an informational page for students as well as a page for advisers.

Facilities

1. Offices Space. Offices are on the second floor, third floor, and fourth floor of University Hall. There are additional offices located at the Scott Park campus for individuals with course assignments in classes on that campus. Check with the department secretaries regarding your office assignment. If your office requires a key, it will be ordered through the department secretary and you can pick it up at the Plant Operations Building. When you leave the University, you will return your key to Plant Operations and obtain a receipt to take to the Math Department showing that you returned your key.

2. Departmental Office - 2040 University Hall. The department secretaries are in the office from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except on staff holidays. The office is open during lunch hour with few exceptions.

   The department phone numbers are 419.530.2568 and 419.530.2232. Every office has a phone. Dial 9 for an outside line. There is no long distance service available from any of the part-time or graduate assistant offices.

3. Mailroom 2020F. You will receive all mail and departmental notices there. Separate mailboxes will be set up at the Scott Park campus for those instructors who will be teaching there. Please check your mailbox regularly and read your mail - especially departmental notices. All outside mail comes to a department mailbox in the University Hall mailroom. It is picked up and distributed by the department secretaries at least once a day.

   There is a U.S. Post Office vending machine for postage stamps on the second floor of University Hall next to the UH mailroom.

4. Testing Center. The department has no room set aside for make-up work by students, including missed tests. Missed tests should be made up in the Testing Center located in Student Classroom Annex, room 1140 (phone: 419.530.2011). Secretaries do not proctor exams, tests, or quizzes. If you allow make-up work, the arrangements are your responsibilities. Please do not abuse the testing/retesting facilities as this could lead to the University discontinuing the service. Testing facilities are also available on the Scott Park campus.

5. Class Rooms. Classes are scheduled in various buildings on two campuses. Maps are printed in the Schedule of Classes booklet. The location of your classes will be taken into consideration. If your classes are assigned to rooms in different locations, please see the associate chair. DO NOT contact Registration to change your room assignment. Remember that while this might work for you, you may now have made scheduling problems for all of your students! This is especially true when trying to change a room from one campus to the other.

6. Course Preparation. A typewriter for use by the Mathematics Department personnel is available. Please be sure you know how to operate it properly in the mailroom (UH2020F). This room is locked at 5:00 PM for security. If you unlock the door to enter, please be sure to lock it when you leave. As a rule, the graduate assistants and part-time instructors are responsible for writing, typing and collating their own class materials. The department secretaries will duplicate the material for you. The department needs a 24-hour notice for duplicating your class materials to guarantee that you have them on time. For instructors that are on the Scott Park campus teaching, there is a print shop on the second floor of the Learning Resource Center where you can submit your materials for duplication. It is preferable, if at all possible, that all duplication be preformed within the math department office.

7. Supplies. Limited office supplies, including chalk and transparencies, are available for the teaching of your classes (meaning classes you are teaching, not taking). The University Bookstore is located in the lower level of the Student Union Building and has a wide selection of supplies that you may purchase.

8. Overheads and Projectors. Classroom use of overheads or movie projectors may be arranged through the Audio/Visual Services Department in Carlson Library. Please call x2428 to coordinate classroom technology needs.

9. Desk Copies. All course texts are ordered by the department for the classes you teach and are available in the Bookstore in the Student Union and/or Bookstore at the Scott Park campus. Desk copies of books for classes you teach are obtained from the department office and are to be returned to the office at the end of the semester.

10. Identification. No one can use the facilities at Carlson Library without a University ID Card. University ID cards are obtained in the basement of the Student Union from Silicon Solutions. See the department secretary if you have any questions about obtaining a card.

11. Parking. For graduate assistants, you will pay your parking fee when you pay for your other fees when registering. Part-time instructors can use their contract letters when getting their permit ($14) and there also will be a memo sent by the department to the Transportation Center confirming their appointment for the semester. Parking permits are obtained through the Transportation Center off Dorr Street.

12. Libraries. The Mathematics Department maintains a small library in Room 2060, which is accessible through the lounge. Carlson Library has in open stacks the Mathematics collection under Library of Congress Cataloguing. Journals, which may not be circulated, are in Carlson. You will need your ID card to check out books.

    The Lucas County Public Library has many locations throughout the area and they can be located by consulting the local phone book. University of Michigan libraries are about an hour's drive north on Route 23. Library loans and journal searches are available through the Information Desk at Carlson Library.

13. Payday. Checks are issued every other Friday and can be picked up from the secretaries after 8:30 am. The University will not issue pay to anyone not having a federal social security number. The Payroll Department will hold your pay until you have a social security number and have completed the proper tax forms. See the department secretary if you have any questions.

Photocopying

Photocopying is available through the University copier network. There are various machines campus-wide that are activated by using a special copy card.

The departmental copy card is to be used by graduate students only for copying items that are required for their teaching duties. See the department secretaries for use of a card for limited copying. The duplication of a large number of copies (20 and over) need to be done through the department secretaries.

For personal copying, debit cards can be purchased at the Carlson, Law, and Scott Park libraries.