1. GUEST ARTIST WORKSHOPS & MASTER CLASSES
(Passed by School Council, School of Dramatic Art, April 20, 1988)
Motion: There may be guest artist lab hours required in this course over and above the scheduled class hours and attendance requirements will follow the policy of the School.
2. PARTICIPATION IN DRAMA COURSES
(Passed by School Council, School of Dramatic Art, Nov. 15, 1996)
Motion: Participation in Drama courses may contain some risk of physical injury and students must notify the instructor of any problems that might affect their work.
3. STATE OF HEALTH
(Passed by School Council, School of Dramatic Art, Nov. 15, 1996)
Motion: It is the obligation of Drama majors to inform instructors of any changes in their health since the date of their medical certificate that may affect their participation in classroom activities.
4. NON-DRAMA MAJORS REGISTERING FOR DRAMA COURSES
(Passed by School Council, School of Dramatic Art, July 30, 1991)
Concerns were raised that Drama majors will not be able to sign into required Drama courses as there were non-Drama students also interested. A discussion ensued with the resulting motion:
Motion: That Drama students who require a Drama course as part of their degree requirement be given preference. Preference must be given by the instructor when signing students into their course firstly to those Drama students who need the course to graduate; secondly, to those Drama students who are taking the course as an option, and lastly to non-Drama majors. Drama majors will be given the opportunity to sign in to the course during the first day of that class. If at the end of the first class there is space available, non-Drama majors can be signed in by the instructor.
5. GRADING
(Passed by School Council, School of Dramatic Art, April 12, 1994)
Motion: That each course require a paper graded on content, format, grammar, organization, spelling, etc.
Motion: To establish among all faculty members that a grade of "C" will be given to a student who simply fulfills requirements of the course adequately, a "B" will require beyond simply fulfilling requirements of the course adequately, and an "A" will mean exceptional insight and execution of assignments on a consistent basis.
Motion: That skill sets be identified and communicated to students in course outlines.
(Consensus of School Council, School of Dramatic Art, May 14, 2002)
That course outlines should state that new scenes are required to be performed for each class.
6. GRADING SYSTEM
Undergraduate Grading Policy – Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
(24 January 2014)
The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Grading Policy is in keeping with the regulations in Bylaw 51 and the adoption of Outcome Based Education in the Province of Ontario. The purpose of the FAHSS Grading Policy is to:
- Make grading practices transparent to students;
- Ensure that grading practices in the Faculty are consistent across the Faculty;
- Ensure that students are graded fairly and in keeping with the academic standards of the University.
The academic achievement of each student shall be measured according to what the student knows and is able to do in relation to the Learning Outcomes stated on the Course Outline. The level of the student’s achievement of the Learning Outcomes shall be tested in the assessment tools of the course (tests, essays, exams, seminars, etc.) and assigned a grade according to the Grading Scale below.
An "Incomplete" is also given when a student is alleged to have committed an act of academic misconduct. The grade of “Incomplete” will remain on the student’s transcript until the matter is adjudicated. *IN is given when students have not completed all class assignments due to illness, bereavement or extenuating circumstances as defined in Bylaw 51.1.18 and the student will complete the work at a later date (See also Aegrotat Standing).
**NR is given when a student did not attend class regularly and has completed none of the assignments for the course. It will be calculated as 22% in the student’s average.
***IP is given in senior classes when a major assignment or thesis is still in process when the grades are due.
7. CLASSROOM\REHEARSAL DRESS CODE
No student will be admitted to performance classes or rehearsals without adhering to the following codes:
Dress Code Items for Performance Classes:
- Appropriate attire as determined by the instructor.
- No jewellery
- No hats
- Hair tied back
Classroom Decorum Notes:
- Punctuality
- No gum
- No eating or drinking
- No listening to personal music devices or reading materials unrelated to class
- No smoking, vaping, drugs or alcohol
- Books and writing materials must accompany student to class and rehearsals
- Students leave class only by permission of instructor
8. FINAL PAPERS FOR COURSES INCLUDING DIRECTED STUDIES AND 350 AND 450 CREDITS.
- In semester long courses, assigned papers must be completed before the end of the semester so that grades can be assigned [Senate Bylaw 51].
- Regarding papers for University Players productions - please ensure that the due date falls within two weeks following the close of the show you direct.
- Because of the nature of Drama courses, i.e., they are sequential, they involve the acquisition of skills, etc., please review all papers and course work with your students either orally or in writing so that they understand their strengths, weaknesses and have specific goals to pursue.
9. HAIR DYEING
BFA Acting students in their second, third and fourth years are discouraged from dyeing their hair with permanent dyes or with any dyes that are difficult and expensive to reverse. This policy is flexible under special circumstances or for medical reasons and in consultation with faculty.
10. OUTSIDE WORK and EXCESSIVE ABSENCE POLICIES
(Passed by Dramatic Art Council, June 13, 2000)
Motion: That the following policies be included in all BFA Acting course outlines:
(a) Outside Theatre Work Policy for BFA Acting Students
The integrity and cumulative nature of your training depends upon the quality and consistency of your overall influences in the theatre. You are therefore strongly discouraged from auditioning for or accepting performance roles, paid or unpaid, from theatres outside Dramatic Art during school months.
Outside theatre work will place demands on your energy, commitment and time that may prevent you from fulfilling your requirements at Dramatic Art. Injury, fatigue and lack of proper nutrition often occur under these circumstances and may have an adverse affect on your progress in your classes and your grades.
(b) Excessive Absences Policy for BFA Acting Students
Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, as a result of illness, injury, or for family reasons are detrimental to your progress and the progress of your classmates and can seriously affect your grade. The following policy is intended to address the potential problem of excessive absences.
This policy should not be interpreted as an amendment to the existing attendance policy, nor as a platform for discussion and/or negotiation of that policy.
Policy:
You will be responsible for initiating and attending a meeting with the instructor of the class in which absences occur should you incur any one of the following;
- One or more unexcused absences in any one class that meets once a week for three hours, or two or more unexcused absences in a class that meets twice a week for 1½ hours
- Two or more excused absences in any one class that meets once a week for three hours, or three or more excused absences in a class that meets twice a week for 1½ hours
This meeting may include discussion of the circumstances of the absences and the student will be apprised of the possible implications of those absences to their progress in the program.
11. PLAGIARISM AND EXAMINATION MAKE-UP POLICIES
(This Policy will be appended to all course outlines in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)
1. Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a very serious academic offense. Students who plagiarize are dishonestly and fraudulently using someone else’s work as their own. In the preparation of essays, papers, reports, and any other types of assignments, students must necessarily rely on the work of others. However, the source of any ideas, wording, or data obtained from others must be disclosed and properly acknowledged by citations, quotation marks, and bibliographic references in the proper format. Using the work of others without acknowledgement is plagiarism.
Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:
- Copying material, for example, from the Internet, or purchasing material and submitting it as one’s own;
- Paraphrasing (changing some of the words) the ideas and concepts of others without proper referencing;
- Using a passage or passages of any length from published or unpublished work of others without placing the passage(s) in quotation marks (or using indentation for long quotation(s)) and acknowledging their source;
- Submitting work to more than one course, unless prior permission to do so has been given in writing;
- Submitting work completely or largely identical to that of other students, unless group work and joint submissions are explicitly permitted by the instructor.
Consequences:
If the instructor believes that plagiarism has occurred, s/he assigns a grade of IN (incomplete) to the work in question and reports the case to the Department Head, to the Associate Dean of the Faculty, and to the student(s) involved. Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated pursuant to Senate Bylaw 31, which could result in suspension or expulsion from the University in cases of repeated plagiarism. Students will be given the opportunity to address the matter of plagiarism to the Department Head or designate and/or to the Associate Dean of Student and Academic Affairs in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and ultimately to a Judicial Panel at the University. Students can appeal a finding of plagiarism to the Discipline Appeal Committee of the University.
2. Exam Makeup/Late Submission/Aegrotat/Incomplete Policy
The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences requires students to provide acceptable and documented medical (or equivalent compassionate) reasons to allow make-ups for scheduled tests, midterms, and final exams; the submission of late assignments, or grades of Incomplete or Aegrotat.
Acceptable reasons include hospital stays, serious illness, family emergencies (such as serious accidents or illnesses, death) or similar circumstances outside the student’s control. Normally, written documentation is required stating specific reasons and dates. Arrangements for make-up exams must be made as soon as possible. The instructor sets the date and format for make-up exams. The make-up exam will usually be different from the original exam, but will be equivalent in terms of testing objectives, format, level of difficulty, material covered, length of examination, etc.
Considerations for Health, Bereavement, or Extenuating Circumstances
Please see Senate Bylaw 51, clause 1.18.2. Students may print and use the FAHSS Medical form for illness.
Also see Senate Policy E2: Multiple Exams in One Calendar Day.
FAHSS Academic Misconduct, Plagiarism, Make up Exam Policy (also see Bylaw 31)
12. GRADING GUIDELINES - FACULTY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
[April 16, 2001]
(1)(a) Instructors in large enrolment lower level classes should grade so that the “average” grade, or the expected performance of the average student, is within the “C” range. As a guideline, in 100 and 200 level classes with initial enrolments of at least 50 students no more than 50% of the final grades should be “As” and “Bs” (taken together).
(b) This expectation should be communicated to students on the course outline
(2) The grading in all sections of multi-section courses should be consistent. The grade distributions should therefore be similar: differences in the percentage of “As” and “Bs” together normally should not exceed 10 percentage points. This should also be the case with “Ds” and “Fs”. (Instructors in multi-sectioned courses should be encouraged to plan consistent evaluation procedures.) Section grades should not be posted until they are reviewed by the Chair/Head; in case of serious discrepancies section instructors should be encouraged to achieve grade consistency. Students should be notified of the possibility of grade adjustments in the course outlines.
(3) At any level and in any size undergraduate class, normally there should be fewer grades in the “A” range (“exceptional”) than in the “B” range (“Good”).
(4) In courses designed for students in programs where students are admitted by audition or portfolio, or where an average of “B-” (8.0) is required to remain in good standing, the class average is expected to be in the “B” range.
13. MISSING OR CANCELLING A LECTURE/CLASS/LAB
Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (FAHSS) Policy regarding Missing or Canceling a Lecture/Class/Lab
Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to ensure a consistent learning environment for the students in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences. This policy recognizes the importance of safeguarding the safety and wellbeing of faculty, staff and students and providing an equitable teaching and learning experience.
Cancellation of Scheduled Classes/Lab/Lecture due to Conference/Workshops:
Should a professor know at the beginning of semester that s/he will be away at a conference, workshop or other academic commitment during the term, s/he is required to note such absences on the course syllabus. Professors will need to indicate how they plan to make up the missed classes and course work on the syllabus. Course syllabi are required to be submitted to the head/director’s office prior to the beginning of class each semester.
If a professor wishes to reschedule a class/lab/lecture during which no evaluative procedure has been scheduled the professor must have the agreement of the entire class as it would be a change to the official scheduled class time. Otherwise the professor is responsible for covering all the course material in the remaining scheduled class times.
Cancellation of Scheduled Classes/Labs/Lecture due to Illness/Bereavement/Medical Emergency:
If an instructor is unable to meet the class due to illness, bereavement, or medical emergency, the following steps need to be followed: If such situation occurs the professor will contact the department head or director’s administrative office and ask the secretary to post an official notice on the classroom door stating the reason for the cancellation. It is the Professor’s responsibility to ensure a notice is posted on CLEW as soon as possible. The professor will send an email to all students in the class. The email should list the essential information in the subject line of the email, for example SUBJECT: CLASS CANCELLED: 48-100-01 Professor John Hancock, Introduction to Sociology, Thursday, May 10, 2013.
If due to a medical/bereavement/medical emergency, a professor wishes to reschedule a class/lab/lecture during which no evaluative procedure has been scheduled the professor must have the agreement of the entire class as it would be a change to the official scheduled class time. Otherwise the professor is responsible for covering all the course material in the remaining scheduled class times.
If a professor cancels a class/lab/lecture during which an evaluative procedure has been scheduled the professor should make every effort to make provisions to keep the evaluative procedure on the scheduled date by enlisting assistance from a fellow colleague or TA/GA. If that is not possible Bylaw 51, section 1.8 would apply. “If a test or other evaluative procedure cannot be held at the scheduled time because of an emergency the activity will automatically be rescheduled for the next regular class meeting.” If the evaluative procedure is scheduled for the next class, the course material that would have been covered that day would be dealt with in accordance with the paragraph above.
Cancellation of Classes/University Closure due to Weather or Emergency Conditions:
In cases of inclement weather or emergency conditions which may include snow, ice, tornado, explosion, fire, etc. the only person who may cancel classes and/or close the University is the President of the University. Professors are not permitted to cancel classes without seeking permission from their head/director or dean.
If the President has officially canceled classes and an evaluative procedure had been scheduled for that class/lab, Bylaw 51, section 1.8 applies. “If a test or other evaluative procedure cannot be held at the scheduled time because of an emergency, the activity will automatically be rescheduled for the next regular class meeting
Other Reasons:
For reasons other than those listed above, classes cannot be cancelled without the prior approval of the head/director or the Dean of the Faculty. Please refer to Bylaw 51, section 1.7 “Changes may be made to the course outline up until the end of the first two weeks of classes. A hard copy of the final version of the course outline must be submitted to the AAU Head by the end of the second week of classes. After the initial first two weeks of the course, the dates referred to in 1.2.2 may be altered only for a compelling pedagogical or administrative reason. In the event of such a change students will receive advance notice of at least two calendar weeks. Notification of the precise dates for tests, handing in assignments, and all other activities (except unannounced quizzes), which will affect the final course grade, must be provided to students at least two calendar weeks prior to that date. The procedures for determining the final grade in a course may not be altered in any circumstance after the first two weeks of the course.”
Notes:
When the University is closed a notice will be placed on the University Webpage, telephone answering system, and Campus Police at ext. 1234. Please also check with the local radio stations in the Windsor/Essex area for updates.
To ensure the most current information please review Bylaw 51 and Article E in their entirety by clicking on the links above or going to their websites www.uwindsor.ca/WUFA or Senate Bylaw 51
14. STANDING REQUIREMENTS
Drama in Education and Community:
In addition to complying with the general university regulations (Standing Required for Continuation in Programs: Cumulative Average Requirement: 60%; Major Average Requirement: 70%), in order to advance in the Drama in Education and Community program, students must obtain a minimum grade of 63% in all Dramatic Art courses.
Under exceptional circumstances, and with permission of the Academic Standing Committee, a student may be permitted to upgrade. If the student obtains a grade of 63% or better in the deficient course(s), and a major average of 70% or better, the student may be re-interviewed for the Drama in Education and Community program.
Grades will be reviewed at the end of each semester, and students who do not achieve the minimum grade of 63% in all Dramatic Art courses will be required to withdraw from the program. These students may transfer into the B.A. Drama program.
BFA Acting: This Policy applies to students who entered BFA in Fall 2017 or earlier
In addition to complying with the general university regulations (Standing Required for Continuation in Programs: Cumulative Average Requirement: 60% Major Average Requirement: 70%), in order to advance in the BFA program, students must obtain a minimum grade of 63% in all Dramatic Art courses.
Under exceptional circumstances, and with permission of the Academic Standing Committee, a student may be permitted to upgrade. If the student obtains a grade of 63% or better in the deficient course(s), and a major average of 70% or better, the student may re-audition for the BFA program.
Grades will be reviewed at the end of each semester, and students who do not achieve the minimum grade of 63% in all Dramatic Art courses will be required to withdraw from the program. These students may transfer into the BA Dramatic Art program.
BFA Acting: This Policy applies to students who entered BFA in Fall 2018 or later
BFA first year students must achieve a minimum of 65% in ALL Dramatic Art courses to remain in good standing.
BFA second, third, and fourth year students must achieve a minimum of 70% in ALL Dramatic Art courses to remain in good standing.
The motion will be applied as follows:
- In September 2018, this motion will affect first year students only.
- In September 2019, this motion will affect first and second year students only.
- In September 2020, this motion will affect first, second and third year students only.
In September 2021, this motion will affect all years.
Currently this motion affects all first and second year BFA students.
15. SENATE BYLAWS
It is the responsibility of Faculty and Students to understand and follow all clauses in Senate Bylaw 51 and 31.
Senate Bylaw 51: Articles to Note:
1.1.1 Meaningful testing procedure
1.1.3 last 7 calendar days free of any procedure for which a mark will be assigned
1.2.3 Student Evaluation of Teaching (SET): Student Evaluation of Teaching forms will be administered in the last two weeks of classes, in accordance with Senate policy.
1.4 Class participation grading
1.5.1 No evaluative procedure may be worth more than 50% of the final grade
1.5.2 Spot quizzes: Can be no more than 2% each and no more than 5% of final grade.
1.6 Meaningful feedback worth at least 20% of final grade prior to voluntary withdrawal date
1.15 Dates by which students may voluntarily withdraw from a course
T.1 Senate Policy on the use of plagiarism detection software
16. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
(a) Qualified supervision of students is compulsory.
(b) Appropriate demonstration/practice/instruction must take place in advance of student execution of a physical task that might result in injury.
(c) Proper safety measures must be taken.
(d) First Aid Kits are located in:
- Jackman Dramatic Art Building - Main Office
- Essex Hall Theatre - Box Office, Sound Booth and Green Room
- Essex Hall Production Wing - Costume Shop, Prop Shop, Scene Painting Classroom and Scene Shop
(e) Teaching Assistants are not permitted to instruct classes without the direct supervision of the professor.
Leddy Library:
Tamsin Bolton is the School's liaison with the library - ext. 3197.