Changes to the Winter 2021 Academic Calendar

The timing of the Winter term has been adjusted for better safety during the pandemic.  Classes begin a week later (January 19) and there is no Spring Break.  Please watch for official university email in case other adjustments are announced.

Winter Course Syllabi

All course syllabi need to include the learning objectives from the updated Syllabi of Record (SOR), per HLC requirements.

A list of information to be given to students at the beginning of the semester can be found in University Policies. Faculty are expected to include a link to the University's list of policies that apply to all courses. Recommended language: "This course is subject to the policies listed at www.gvsu.edu/coursepolicies. (See Shared Governance Policy SG 3.04.C for more details.)

Grand Valley maintains a Religious Inclusion Policy (SLT 9.6) that commits the University to accommodate religious and faith observances and holidays for students, faculty, and staff members. Please review the interfaith calendar before scheduling exams or similar course events.

Affiliate Committee Elections

Due to a new platform, the nomination form and election ballot will look a little different this January. The process is the same, even though the look is different!  Please nominate yourself or a colleague for a position, and be sure to vote when the ballot opens.  

Nominations will open Friday, January 22, and will remain open until Friday, February 5. Following the nominations period, the election ballot will be open Friday, February 12, through Friday, February 19. 

We appreciate your participation in the election process!

Current rosters are posted on the CLAS Affiliate faculty elections webpage.

Please note that CLAS elections use approval voting.  When the ballot opens, you may, and are encouraged to, vote for all candidates you believe are qualified for the positions.  Positions will be assigned to highest vote getters.  Next highest vote getters will form an important alternate pool for vacancies that open during the year.

Questions may be directed to Arthur Campbell, Chair of CLAS Faculty Council.

Syllabus Construction, A Proactive Tool for Student Success

A complete syllabus is a proactive tool to support student success throughout the course. The most troublesome grade appeals are those where course information is incomplete or absent on the syllabus. This includes, but is not limited to, the academic integrity statement, grading scale, basis for assigning grades, Disability Support Resources statement and related issues. The absence of course information makes it difficult to support faculty grading decisions when students are concerned about faculty clarity in grading. 

Setting students’ expectations this year is more complex than usual. 

All course syllabi need to include the learning objectives from the updated Syllabi of Record (SOR), per Higher Learning Commission requirements. 

A list of information to be given to students at the beginning of the semester can be found in University Policies.  Faculty are expected to include a link to the University's list of policies that apply to all courses.  Recommended: “This course is subject to the GVSU policies listed at https://www.gvsu.edu/coursepolicies.”  (See University Policies FH 3.03 A-E for more details.)

The Pew FTLC website is an excellent resource for syllabus construction.  https://www.gvsu.edu/ftlc/syllabus-design-85.htm

You are encouraged to contact your unit head for example syllabi and the Syllabus of Record.

Academic Policies

You will find up-to-date academic policies and COVID-related dealing with instruction at the Provost’s website.

Here’s an example of a recent change:

Class Attendance

At Grand Valley, regular attendance in class and other course activities is considered an essential part of the students’ educational experience and a requirement for an adequate evaluation of student academic progress.

Coursework missed because of excused absences should be made up to the satisfaction of the instructor. Although makeup work will not remove the full adverse effect of the absence in all cases, faculty members will make reasonable accommodations for students when an absence is excused. The accommodations available will vary with course and program. The degree of the effect upon grades will vary with the nature and amount of work missed and must be measured according to the instructor’s best judgment. In case of excessive absences, the instructor may refuse to grant credit for the course. Under some circumstances, an incomplete grade followed by a resolution according to university policy, or withdrawal from the course, is appropriate.

Absences due to the following reasons should be treated as excused: 1) absences of students who miss class due to active participation in an intercollegiate event; 2) absences due to the observance of religious holidays, see SLT 9.6, Religious Inclusion Policy; 3) absences due to military duty; 4) absences due to jury duty, or appearance in court or other government hearings; 5) student medical conditions that preclude class attendance; 6) birth or adoption of child; 7) absences due to attendance at an academic and/or professional conference; and 8) bereavement for an individual of significant relationship. Instructors have discretion to determine whether absences for other reasons should be treated as excused (e.g. study abroad program).

Student Advising and Tutoring Resources

Tutoring

Individual and drop-in tutoring are both available to students for many courses and disciplines. All tutoring will take place online for Winter 2021.  Students can make individual 50-minute tutoring appointments with qualified peer tutors for many 100 and 200 level courses, or they can visit a virtual drop-in center for a quick question.  To schedule an appointment with a tutor or to access drop-in center information, please visit the Tutoring Center website.

Academic Advising

As a complement to faculty academic advising, the CLAS Academic Advising Center will be providing virtual professional academic advising services for all CLAS majors as well as our Exploratory (Undecided) Study students. The Center is open from 8:00 – 5:00 every day and students can schedule individual appointments online or over the phone at (616) 331-8585. The advisors in the Center are skilled in serving the needs of all students pursuing a major and/or minor in CLAS. In addition, the Center provides information for students pursuing teacher certification, professional programs such as medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary studies, prelaw studies and offers a wide range of student success services.

Students in your courses that are pursuing majors and/or minors outside of CLAS also have access to critical academic advising services in their own colleges.

The GVSU Academic Advising website provides a list of these Centers as well as their locations and contact information.

The CLAS Faculty Advising Repository is available for all faculty in CLAS and provides a wealth of information to support your students, including policies and procedures, important forms and quick links, and critical referral information in support of student success.

Additional Academic Support is available for all students

Fred Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors – the Center provides assistance to all students with any writing project throughout their academic careers. Scheduled appointments and drop-in hours are available.

University Libraries – a variety of services, resources, study and presentation spaces are available for students, faculty and staff.

The Knowledge Market – The Knowledge Market is a collaborative partnership between the Speech Lab, Writing Center, and University Libraries. Students can make a virtual appointment to meet with consultants from the Library Research Center, the Writing Center, the Speech Lab or the Data Inquiry Lab. Consultants work one-on-one or in small groups to develop research strategies, analyze data, improve writing, and polish presentation.

Student Conduct, Intervention and Support

Academic Integrity – The Student Code provides clear information on the principles of academic honestly and integrity. When incidents occur, faculty are encouraged to file a report to request additional action. This keeps a record of all incidents and allows the full University Conduct Process to be initiated.

Students of Concern Care Form – Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to refer a student who may be[BS1]  struggling with academic, personal, and/or emotional difficulties and may be exhibiting concerning behavior.  Questions on this process should be directed to Emily First, Student Support Manager, at (616) 331-3585 or [email protected].

Course Registration Changes

Through the first week of classes, students are able to make changes to their course schedules without penalty and faculty will see fluctuations in their enrollment during this first week. After the first week, if students wish to make changes to their schedules, there are additional steps to follow:

The Late Add process requires permission of the instructor, unit head and the CLAS Deans Office before the course can be added by the student. This will likely impact tuition charges and there could be additional late fees. Students should check with the Registrar’s Office to determine the additional costs associated with adding courses late.

Students who drop courses after the first week can do so on Banner and will be subject to the published tuition refund schedule. Students should always consult with the Financial Aid Office located in 100 STU to assess the impact on their financial aid eligibility if the course is dropped. The student will be issued a “W” on their transcript for any dropped course.

Winter 2021 final drop deadline is set for Friday, April 9 by 5:00 p.m. Students who wish to drop courses after this final deadline should be referred to the Late Drop process. 

Questions regarding course registration and the late drop and add procedures should be referred to AD Betty Schaner at [email protected] or (616) 331-2403.

Additional Resources

Moving quickly from face-to-face or hybrid teaching to fully online?  Check out our “Go Bag” webpage.

Virus Action Team webpage

Teaching-Related Grants for GVSU Faculty https://www.gvsu.edu/ftlc/grants-47.htm

A subscription to The Teaching Professor is available online through the library website under “Find Journals”.

The Faculty Teaching and Learning Center (FTLC) has an overview (online orientation) for part-time faculty: https://www.gvsu.edu/ftlc/new-faculty-orientation-350.htm#AdjunctPartTimeFacultyNFO20Info

The CLAS Faculty Council has put together a resource for assisting students in distress: https://www.gvsu.edu/clas/helping-students-resource-chart-706.htm   

Affiliate Faculty Advisory Committee (University)

CLAS Affiliate Faculty Advisory Committee

Digital Print Shop in the Visual and Media Arts Department (large format and specialty printing not covered by the Copy Center).  Very competitive pricing.

E-learning resources assistance at the Digital Studio and Instructional Design for eLearning

Campus Bus System

Sprout (www.gvsu.edu/sprout) to sign up for workshops on campus

GVSU Alerts direct to your phone 

Acronym Decoder 

Icy spot on campus?  Report it by calling 331-SNOW.

Repair Clinic

Free repair clinics for all GVSU students take place once per term.  Volunteers repair clothing, broken glasses, backpacks, and more. Details will be posted on CLAS social media (@CLAScomm on Twitter and @GVSUCLAS on Facebook and https://www.gvsu.edu/clas/repair-clinic-842.htm) and on posters in living centers and elsewhere.  The next clinic will have drop offs in the College Office (B-4-232 MAK) February 15-17 and services can also be provided by appointment.  For more information: [email protected].