Copy/Scan Requests

Electronic: If your original materials are electronic, please send to [email protected] indicating the number of copies and additional finishing preferences. 

Hard copy: If your original materials are hard copies, please submit to the IRIS Department Office (either a student assistant or the office coordinator) with a work request form available in the office.

Grade Entry

• Banner Grade Entry Job Aid - This job aid provides helpful information on mid-term and final grade entry. 
• Midterm and final grades must be entered in myBanner. Please login at the beginning of the semester to insure you have the appropriate login information.
• If you plan to leave town or sign off of email after entering grades, please call the main office or email the coordinator to confirm your grades have been recorded and saved. 
• Email notifications will be sent beginning on the Friday prior to the submission deadline. If you receive an email indicating grades are missing please check your grade entry missing grades or contact the main office to confirm all grades have been recorded and saved.

Grade Submission Deadlines

The GVSU Academic Calendar specifies the exact time and day by which faculty are required to have submitted midterm and final grades for their students. Please know that this is a hard deadline. All faculty are required to meet the deadline for grade submission and there can be no exceptions.

It is the responsibility of the faculty member to plan ahead and to allow enough time to not only complete final grading for your course but to be able to carefully check your grades for accuracy and submit them via Banner in advance of that final deadline.

Faculty are also required to keep copies of grading records for at least one full year after grades have been issued. If you are a new faculty member and need assistance or suggestions on how best to record and maintain your grading records, please contact the Department for assistance.

Integrity of Grades

GVSU takes seriously the academic integrity of grades and scholarship. Faculty should familiarize themselves with the university's policies regarding academic integrity, outlined in the GVSU Student Code, Section 4.0, and ensure that their students are also understand the meaning of terms such as fabrication, falsification, cheating, and plagiarism as defined in the Student Code.

When grading students, faculty should take care to maintain clear and consistent guidelines for assessing student learning and calculating student grades. They should also maintain clear and consistent records of their grades, not only in Blackboard but also via a secure, backed-up filing system using Excel or other means. Questions or concerns about how to save, calculate, and maintain grading records should be directed to the Department. Faculty may find it helpful to consult the FTLC's Grading Resource Guide for Faculty as well. 

Reporting Violations of Academic Integrity

Faculty are encouraged to report all violations of academic integrity, as defined in the GVSU Student Code. Violations should be reported to the Dean of Students Office.

Grade Changes

The Department follows the Brooks College Guidance on Grade Changes. Once final course grades have been submitted, faculty should only change student grades in exceptional circumstances. If a faculty member finds that a grade change is necessary, they must notify the Department Chair directly and provide a detailed, written explanation of why the change is necessary. The explanation must include how the request fits with the Academic Policies and Standards Committee's Guidelines for Good Practice in Grading, as quoted on the college guidance document.

Last Date of Academic Activity

Last Date of Academic Activity (LDAA) is required for students receiving a final grade of "F" or "NC." 

Approximately one week prior to the final grade entry deadline, instructors will receive a listing of LDAA dates, defining a date for students who never attended class and a date for students who attended regularly. This document can also be found at the bottom of the Last Date of Academic Activity Process page. 

If a student stops attending class mid-semester, please enter the last date of their activity, defined as the following:

• Physically attending a class
• Submitting an academic assignment either in class or on Blackboard
• Taking a quiz or an exam
• Attending a study group that is assigned by the institution
• Participating in an online discussion

Incomplete Grade Policy

Incomplete grades are given only in extenuating circumstance and must first be approved by the unit head.

Brooks College Incomplete Policy

Criteria for requesting the grade of “INCOMPLETE”
The grade of I, Incomplete, indicates that a student was doing satisfactory work, but due to non-academic reasons beyond the student’s control, the student was unable to meet the full requirements of the course. The grade of I is only appropriate when all of the following conditions are met:

1. The student is doing satisfactory work in the course.
2. The unfinished requirements can be clearly delineated.
3. The unfinished requirements constitute a relatively small part of the course (30% or less).
4. The student has justifiable reason(s) why the work cannot be completed on schedule (documentation is required).
5. The student arranges with the instructor to finish the work for the course by a date specified by the instructor on the form in the comments section.
6. Forms must be submitted to the department chair prior to submission to the Dean’s Office.

A grade of I that is not converted to another grade during the next semester of attendance or within one calendar year (whichever comes first) will be changed to the grade F.

Course Withdrawal

Students may withdrawal with a "W" until mid-semester (see exact withdrawal dates here) - Please Note: Shortened term courses have different dates for "W" withdrawal.

Students wishing to withdrawal after the "W" deadline must provide the following to the Student Academic Success Center:

1. Explanation of circumstance warranting a late withdrawal
2. Registration and Drop/Add Form signed by their professor and department chair
3. At least one statement of support from the professor or department chair

End of Term Evaluations (LIFT Feedback)

End of term LIFT evaluations are completed online. Students access the evaluation through a link sent via email. 

• Evals will be launched approximately 2 weeks prior to the end of the semester.
• Students will receive an email from the IASystem containing a link to the eval. 
• The eval cannot be accessed more than one time. 

Please contact the office coordinator with questions or concerns.

FERPA Release for Recommendation Requests

Students and faculty should complete a FERPA Release Form before submitting a recommendation on a student's behalf. The form is available as a fillable PDF.

CARE Reports (Students of Concern)

During the course of their time at GVSU students may experience a variety of pressure and stress from academic work, relationships, and other parts of life.  In some cases, students might be confronting certain issues for the first time, while for others these issues may be ongoing.  If you find yourself worried about the well-being of a Grand Valley student (a student in your class, someone you live with/near, someone in your student organization, etc.), we encourage you to share your concerns through the university's Students of Concern -- CARE Report.  Your report may be the activating event that helps that student get connected to appropriate campus resources, or you may be providing supplemental information that assists in our ability to more appropriately reach out to support that student.  

More information about types of behaviors or situation that may warrant submitting a CARE Report on behalf of a student as well as what happens once a report has been submitted can be found via the Dean of Student's website, linked above.

Title IX Reporting

Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972 requires that all entities receiving federal funds or financial assistance prohibit sex based discrimination and sexual misconduct in their education programs and activities. 

• Title IX protects any person from sex-based discrimination, regardless of their real or perceived sex, gender identity, and/or gender expression. 
• Female, male and gender non-conforming students, faculty and staff are protected from any sex-based discrimination, harassment or violence.

As responsible employees of GVSU, all faculty (whether adjuncts or full-time employed) should educate themselves about Title IX. As responsible employees, we are required to report incidents of sexual harassment or misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator. 

Definitions of behavior that is covered by Title IX can be found here.

Special Funding Requests ($200 or less)

Request for Special Funding

Any faculty member in IRIS (full-time or adjunct) may request up to $200/academic year to support special teaching opportunities that are directly associated with an assigned course or to support a special one-time opportunity that directly benefits their work within the department. These funds are available on a first come, first served basis with priority given to requests that will benefit the department as a whole and which support specific learning outcomes in the course or specific objectives within the department's strategic plan. The ability to provide any special funding is contingent upon department budgetary constraints and ultimately determined by the department chair. Any requests for special funding that exceed $200 must be voted on by the department faculty.

New Faculty Quick Start Guide (FTLC)

Teaching Resources (FTLC)

Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence Resources

Faculty Governance

Grand Valley has a robust shared governance system. Faculty of all types are encouraged to consult the Faculty Governance website which includes links to the Faculty Manual, as well as a roster of recommendations made by the University Academic Senate and the Provost's responses to those recommendations. This listing is updated throughout the year. This site is also a resource for identifying committee representatives and meeting dates for standing committees. 

Equity & Inclusion

All faculty are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the resources available through the GVSU Division of Inclusion & Equity as well as being in contact with the faculty representatives who make up the university's Equity & Inclusion Committee, which serves as a liaison with the Division of Inclusion & Equity and the Student Senate Diversity Affairs Committee.

Religious Inclusion Policy

Grand Valley maintains a Religious Inclusion Policy that commits the university to accommodate religious and faith observances and holidays for students, faculty, and staff members.  The information below is for Academic Year 2019-2020 per the GVSU Division of Inclusion & Equity:

The 2015 climate survey reminds us that Lakers hold a wide variety of beliefs and practice many faiths. While the majority of campus identifies as Christian, spiritual or non-religious, significant numbers of faculty, staff, and students are adherents of other faiths, with the largest minority religiouscommunities being Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist. The regular academic calendar already accommodates most Christian religious observances; the following are religious observances you should be aware of when scheduling activities. We encourage you to check course and event calendars soon to make alternative arrangements, if needed. The multifaith calendar also provides information on these observances, and others, and how they might be practiced (fasting, not working, not traveling, etc.). 

Jewish Observances (usually non-working days and scheduling events should be avoided)

• Rosh Hashanah: Begins at sunset on September 29 through October 1 
• Yom Kippur: Begins at sunset on October 8 through October 9
• First Night of Passover: Begins at sunset April 8 (usually a non-working day) 
• (Note: the last day of Passover is April 16, 2020, but only the first day usually requires accommodation)

Muslim Observances (usually non-working days and scheduling events should be avoided)

• Eid al Adha: Begins at sunset on August 10 through August 11 
• Muharram: August 31
• Ashura: Begins at sunset on September 10 
• Eid al Fitr (marks the end of Ramadan): Approximately May 23, 2020 (dependent on the Islamic lunar calendar so be sure to check themultifaith calendar) 
• (Note: Ramadan is April 23 through May 23, 2020, but only the end of Ramadan – Eid al Fitr – usually requires accommodation)

Hindu Observances (usually working days and scheduling events are acceptable)

• Navratri: September 29-October 8 
• Dussehra: October 8
• Diwali: October 27 
• Holi: Begins at sunset on March 9 through March 10, 2020

Buddhist Observances (usually working days and scheduling events are acceptable)

• Bodhi Day: January 2, 2020 
• Vesak: May 7, 2020 (may vary dependent on individual observance)

The Religious Inclusion Policy encourages faculty members to avoid scheduling exams or assigning work that would be due on religious holidays; or to provide individual alternative arrangements for those requesting accommodations. 

University-wide events should be planned after reviewing the major religious observances and holidays listed above. Note this is not an exhaustive list, only observances/holidays that impact a majority of our faith-identified communities not already accommodated by general scheduling. 

Upon request, all religious observances should be accommodated per university policy. Students should refer to the Religious Inclusion Policy and complete an online accommodation request within the first two weeks of each semester; faculty and staff members should coordinate with supervisors well in advance of accommodation needs. 

Additional resources are available at gvsu.edu/campusinterfaith. If you have any questions, contact at [email protected] or (616) 331-3207. 

Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center Travel Grant Funding Deadlines

Faculty Conference Travel Grants are designed to help defray the costs of attending teaching-related conferences. The use of funds does not require the presentation of papers at the conference. Please visit the Pew FTLC website to review limitation and application information.

• Amount: $700
• Purpose: Defrays the cost of attending teaching-related conferences, with or without presenting.
• Eligibility: All faculty: full- or part-time. Staff not eligible 
• Application Timing: The application periods are:
  • Jan 15, 8 a.m. - Jan 18, 8 a.m. (for travel Apr 1 - Jun 30)
  • Apr 15, 8 a.m. - Apr 18, 8 a.m. (for travel Jul 1 - Sep 30)
  • July 15, 8 a.m. - July 18, 8 a.m. (for travel Oct 1 - Dec 31)
  • Oct 15, 8 a.m. - Oct 18, 8 a.m. (for travel Jan 1 - Mar 31)
    • The travel end date determines the quarter in which you apply.)
• Of Note:
  • Funding is limited to one trip per faculty member every other fiscal year. 
  • Funds are awarded to eligible applicants by lottery.
  • Recipients will be notified within one week of the application deadline. 

The purpose of the Faculty Dissemination Travel Grant is to support dissemination of the applicant's original research or creative effort. All Tenure-Track, Visiting, and Affiliate faculty are eligible to apply for travel funding. 

Please review limitations and application information on CSCE's website.