Guide to Correspondence Study

Guide to Correspondence Study Spring-Summer 2007 MOVING? PLEASE REMEMBER: If you move, inform us as soon as possible. Change your mailing address on QCARD (or complete the Biographic Change form included in the Forms section at the back of the course notes and send it to the Office of the University Registrar — address is on the form). The University’s records will be updated so that we will have your current address. A change of address will NOT update your exam location. If, as a result of moving, your EXAM LOCATION must be changed, notify CDS by telephone at 613 533-2470, attention Candy Randall-Quesnel or fax 613 533-6805 or email randallc@post.queensu.ca WHAT’S NEW? Students can now view their exam centre location code for correspondence courses on QCARD CORRESPONDENCE GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS IMPORTANT ACADEMIC DATES FOR CORRESPONDENCE COURSES . . . Guide i Continuing & Distance Studies Welcomes You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guide ii HOW TO REACH US . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guide ii Academic Counselling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guide ii STUDY SKILLS AND STRATEGIES TO HELP YOU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guide iii USING QUEEN'S LIBRARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guide iii Borrowing Books from Other University Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guide iv GETTING STARTED: THE COURSE MATERIALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guide iv ASSIGNMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guide vi Assignment Grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guide viii IMPORTANT EXAMINATION INFORMATION FOR CORRESPONDENCE COURSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guide viii Frequently Asked Questions about Correspondence Exams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guide viii ESTABLISHED CENTRES FOR WRITING CORRESPONDENCE EXAMS . . Guide xii ACADEMIC INTEGRITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guide xiii ADDING or DROPPING a COURSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guide xiv IF YOU CANNOT FINISH YOUR COURSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guide xv FINAL GRADES AND TRANSCRIPTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guide xvi February 21, 2007 IMPORTANT ACADEMIC DATES FOR CORRESPONDENCE COURSES Register early to avoid disappointment; all correspondence courses have limited enrolments. EVENT Spring Term Spring-Summer Session Summer Term È Last date to register/add Spring and Spring-Summer courses DATES Begins 7 May 2007 Begins 7 May 2007 Begins 3 July 2007 11 May 2007 After May 7, students must pay a registration administration fee. After May 11, students must appeal in writing to the Associate Dean (Studies) and pay a registration administration fee. Last date to register/add Summer courses 9 July 2007 After July 3, students must pay a registration administration fee. After July 9, students must appeal in writing to the Associate Dean (Studies) and pay a registration administration fee È Deadline for dropping a course (full refund) Spring courses Spring-Summer courses Summer courses Deadline for dropping a course (no academic penalty) Spring courses Spring-Summer courses Summer courses È Deadline for requests to change Exam Centre location Spring and Spring/Summer courses Summer courses È Final Examinations* Spring courses Spring-Summer courses Summer courses 11 May 2007 18 May 2007 9 July 2007 1 June 2007 29 June 2007 30 July 2007 1 June 2007 30 July 2007 20, 21 June 2007 27, 30, 31 July 2007 15, 16 August 2007 *The University reserves the right to adjust the published exam period dates, as required. Guide i Continuing & Distance Studies Welcomes You Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the information in this Guide. If you have comments or questions, we would be pleased to hear from you. Feel free to contact us by telephone, e-mail, FAX, or regular mail (see below). We hope that you will find your correspondence course stimulating and enjoyable. Throughout this Guide, we refer to the Division of Continuing & Distance Studies as CDS. HOW TO REACH US General inquiries about adding or dropping courses, obtaining transcripts, paying fees, receiving fee refunds, changing your address, etc., should be directed to: The Division of Continuing & Distance Studies/Faculty of Arts & Science F-200 Mackintosh-Corry Hall 68 University Avenue Queen's University Kingston, ON K7L 2N6 Your written enquiries should be sent separately from your assignments. The Continuing & Distance Studies/Faculty of Arts & Science Office is open Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. In Spring-Summer, the office is closed between 12 noon and 1 p.m. The telephone number is 613 533-2470 and the office FAX number is 613 533-6805. E-mail us at cds@post.queensu.ca Visit our Web site at http://www.queensu.ca/cds Useful Numbers Area Code Campus Bookstore FAX Fees Owing Payments Stauffer Library Circulation FAX Transcripts 613 533-2955 533-6419 533-6894 533-6894 533-2524 533-6401 533-2219 Academic Counselling Continuing & Distance Studies/Faculty of Arts & Science has academic advisors who will be glad to advise you in person or over the phone. If you need help in planning your degree program, choosing courses, or finding ways to improve your study skills, call (613) 533-2470 for an appointment. Guide ii STUDY SKILLS AND STRATEGIES TO HELP YOU A correspondence course can be a very rewarding experience if you know in advance some of the strategies which can help you achieve your goals. Begin by ensuring that you have all the materials necessary to get started on your course: course notes, textbooks and, in some courses, audio/video tapes or CD/DVDs. Allot a specific amount of time each day or each week to study in a quiet place away from distractions. Note the assignment due dates in your course notes. Read your course notes to determine what the instructor is asking you to do in order to prepare each assignment, e.g. textbook readings, supplementary library readings, viewing CD-ROMs/DVDs, etc. Then, working back from the due date, you will be able to plan a schedule that will enable you to complete the work and submit your assignment on time. When sending assignments through the mail, remember to factor in mailing time — assignments should arrive at CDS on or before the due date. Some correspondence students have found that initially their grades are lower than anticipated. This is not unusual as it may take a little time to familiarize yourself with your instructor's expectations; it is important to be aware of this so as not to become discouraged. If you encounter difficulty with your courses, we encourage you to get in touch with us at CDS or your instructor. USING QUEEN'S LIBRARY Any supplementary or additional readings which may be listed in your course notes are available from Stauffer Library's Circulation Desk. If you are not within travelling distance of the university, you may use the library loan request forms (found in the FORMS section at the back of your course notes) to request books from this list. If you are able to come to the campus, bring your student card with you so that you can charge books out of the Library. Stauffer Library is open during the week and is also usually open on the weekends: call ahead for exact hours (613) 533-2524 or visit the web site: http://library.queensu.ca/ The loan period for books is 14 calendar days (excluding mailing time for those of you ordering through the mail). The length of time allowed for mailing will vary with the distance the books are sent from the University. The date on which the book must be returned to the Library will be stamped on the date due slip inside the back cover. A fine of 40 cents per day per book will be charged for books not returned on time. Stauffer Library will cover the cost of mailing the books out to you and you are responsible for the return postage. Because the Library insures all books it sends out, you are also expected to do so when you return them. You are also expected to securely wrap any materials which you return through the mail and pay the replacement cost and a processing fee for any book which you damage or lose. Guide iii Borrowing Books from Other University Libraries As a student registered in an Ontario university, you automatically have borrowing privileges in all other Ontario university libraries (with the exception of OISE and the University of Toronto). All you need is a student card with a current validation sticker. If you did not receive a validation sticker, you may request one by writing to the Registrar's Office, Richardson Hall, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 3N6. Remember to include your name, address, and student number in your letter. If you want to gain admittance to libraries affiliated with educational institutions outside of Ontario, Queen's can supply you with a letter of introduction. Address your requests to the Chief Librarian, Stauffer Library, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, K7L 5C4. GETTING STARTED: THE COURSE MATERIALS Course Notes The notes contain the course lessons, assignments, and a schedule for submitting assignments. Course notes are available through the Campus Bookstore at no charge to students registered in correspondence courses. You must obtain a course notes package together with your texts. (See Textbooks below.) This section (found at the back of your Course Notes) contains the forms you will need to use throughout the course. You should look it over carefully and return any appropriate forms. QUEEN'S E-Mail: We encourage you to activate your Queen's student email account today. CDS, your instructor or marker will email correspondence course updates to your student email address. See the front of your Course Notes for information on how to activate your student email account or visit: http://www.queensu.ca/currentStudents/onlineResources/. If you do not have access to the Internet, please contact CDS early in the term. Web-CT: For your convenience, correspondence course notes are available on the Queen’s WebCT course sites to registered students commencing the first day of term. Course updates, the exam schedule, and other material will be added to the course sites as the term progresses. Full instructions on how to access Web-CT can be found at the front of your Course Notes or visit: http://www.queensu.ca/currentStudents/onlineResources/. A Queen's NetID is required to access WebCT. Forms Section Use of Internet Guide iv QCARD: Students may pre-register, add and drop courses (at specified times), update their address and phone number, view their transcript, and apply to graduate online via Queen’s Computerized Access and Registration Database, known as QCARD http://www.qcard.queensu.ca/ You will need your student number and PIN number to access QCARD. If you do not have a PIN number, see the front of your Course Notes or visit: http://www.queensu.ca/currentStudents/onlineResources/ for instructions on how to obtain it. Textbooks Usually you will not be able to start your course until you receive the required textbooks—if you have not already done so, get them now. The list of textbooks for your course can be viewed and ordered on the Campus Bookstore Web site http://www.campusbookstore.com Click on Textbooks and follow the instructions for distance learners. You may also order by telephone (613 533-2955) or FAX (613 533-6419), or pick up your texts in person. Should you have problems obtaining the required text(s), be sure to speak to a Customer Service representative at the Bookstore, or contact CDS or your instructor. Some courses have video tapes/DVDs that may be borrowed from Stauffer Library (check the summary page at the front of the course notes to see if there are videos/DVDs for your course). Refer to the Video Cassette/DVD Order Form (in the Forms section at the back of the course notes) to find out how to borrow the videos/DVDs by mail. See Using Queen's Libraries in this Guide for information on borrowing procedures. The loan period is usually two weeks, but may vary by course. If you have questions, please contact the Circulation Desk (Attention Heather Woolnough), at Stauffer Library, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 5Z4. Telephone 613-533-2524, Fax 613-533-6401. Video/DVD Student Card New students taking correspondence courses: The Office of the University Registrar will mail you an off-campus student ID card soon after you register; keep it for all future registrations. You will be required to show your card when writing final exams and borrowing library materials in person. Continuing students: The Office of the University Registrar will mail you a validation sticker to be applied to the face of your card. Lost cards may be replaced at a charge of $20. Contact the Office of the University Registrar at 613 533-2040. Guide v ASSIGNMENTS Before Submitting Your Assignment C C C C make sure that your work is legible, double-spaced, and on 8 ½ x 11 inch paper number the pages of your assignment write your name, student number, and course on each page of your assignment keep a copy of your assignment. If your assignment is lost in transit, we will ask you to resubmit it. Submitting Assignments for Print-Based Courses Assignments may be submitted by mail, FAX, or in person to CDS. Registered mail should be used with caution—it can take longer than regular mail service. Assignments may be submitted by email only in instances where the instructor or tutor-marker has indicated that e-mailing is acceptable. Assignment Cover Sheet Complete and attach an Assignment Cover Sheet (found in the Forms section at the back of the course notes) to the front of each assignment. To save costs, we ask students enrolled in a day course (and therefore on campus regularly) to PICK UP their graded assignments. Students enrolled exclusively in correspondence/evening courses may choose to pick up their assignments or have them mailed by checking off the appropriate box on the Assignment Cover Sheet. If a preference is not indicated, the assignment will be held for pick up. Mailing Assignments Attach an Assignment Cover Sheet to the front of your assignment and mail it to the address indicated on the cover sheet. Submitting Assignments in Person Place your assignments in the drop-off box found in the Arts & Science Faculty Office (F-200, Mackintosh-Corry Hall). If the office is closed, there is an after hours drop-off slot next to the front door. No envelope is required, but please remember to staple your Assignment Cover Sheet to your assignment before handing it in. FAXING Assignments Our FAX number is 613 533-6805 and the machine receives 24 hours a day. Remember to include an Assignment Cover Sheet and indicate the total number of pages being FAXed. Include your name, student number, daytime phone number, and page number on every page of your FAX. eg: Jane Smith Student# 123-4567 Page 1 of 5 Tel# 613-555-2345 Guide vi Leave w-i-d-e margins (one inch) on top, bottom and sides of each page of your FAX. Check your confirmation report to ensure all pages have transmitted. We check incoming faxes for legibility and number of pages transmitted—if there is a problem we will call you. Keep the original copy of your assignment; do not mail it to us in addition to FAXing it. We will NOT return graded assignments by FAX. E-Mailing Assignments At the present time, not all print-based courses permit e-mailing of assignments. If your course will accept e-mailed assignments, you will be notified by Queen's e-mail shortly after the beginning of term. This information will also be posted on the course WebCT site. Submitting Assignments for Internet-Based Courses Please follow the instructions for submitting assignments indicated in your course notes package or course WebCT site. Assignment Deadlines C C each set of course notes includes a schedule listing assignment due dates ensure that your assignments arrive at CDS on or before the due date. We record the date assignments arrive at the office, not the postmarked date. Late Assignments and Requests for an Extension C C information about how your instructor treats late assignments is detailed in your course notes if you have an illness or other extenuating circumstances which prevent you from submitting an assignment on time, contact your instructor to request an extension. If you have difficulty reaching your instructor, contact us at CDS. When You Can Expect Your Graded Assignment to be Returned The amount of time required to return graded assignments varies from course to course. While we aim to have your assignments graded and returned to you within two weeks of receipt, it may take as long as four weeks for an assignment to be returned. You may, therefore, be required to submit an assignment before the previous one has been returned. If you submit an assignment early, it will not necessarily be graded early since, for the sake of fairness and consistency of marking, tutor-markers prefer to grade several assignments at a sitting. If you submit an assignment late you can expect that the grading will be delayed, since the tutor-marker will have moved to the next section of the course and will mark your assignment as time permits. Guide vii Do not send the bulk of your assignments near the end of the course. This will create major delays in grading your assignments so that you may not have any feedback on your work before the final exam. It may result in a loss of marks or even rejection of your assignments. If you have questions regarding submitting late assignments, contact your instructor or tutor-marker. Assignment Grades The grade will be written on your assignment. However, the comments made by the instructor or tutor-marker are far more important than the grade, as they are designed to help you improve your work. The following table maps the alphabetical grade to its numerical equivalent used in the Faculty of Arts & Science at Queen's University. A B C F 80 to l00 per cent 65 to 79 per cent 50 to 64 per cent less than 50 per cent IMPORTANT EXAMINATION INFORMATION FOR CORRESPONDENCE COURSES Most, but not all, correspondence courses have final exams. Consult your course notes for information on examinations and the use of special aids (dictionary, open book, calculators) during the exam. Frequently Asked Questions about Correspondence Exams Who is a KINGSTON student? A KINGSTON student is one who is registered in a day or evening course as well as correspondence course(s) in the same term. Who is a DISTANCE student? A DISTANCE student is one who is registered exclusively in correspondence course(s) in a given term and does not reside in Kingston or surrounding area. What is an Exam Centre? An Exam Centre is a site where a student writes a proctored (supervised) exam. When you registered for your correspondence course on QCARD, you were prompted to enter an Exam Centre code. I don’t remember what Exam Centre code I entered on QCARD. How can I find out where I am writing my exam? You can now view your Exam Centre code for correspondence courses on QCARD after registration. Guide viii Requests to change exam centre locations must be directed to: Candy Randall-Quesnel, the Correspondence Examinations Coordinator, at Continuing & Distance Studies (email: randallc@post.queensu.ca, fax: 613 533-6805, telephone: 613 533-6000, Ext. 77188). Here are some rules which govern where you will write your exam: • if you are a KINGSTON student (see definition above) you MUST write your exam(s) on the Kingston campus • only DISTANCE students (see definition above) are permitted to write at offcampus Exam Centres • all registrations will be checked to determine student eligibility to write at offcampus Exam Centres • it is the student’s responsibility to read all of the information/regulations pertaining to exams contained in both the course notes (see Guide to Correspondence Studies section) and the regulations in the current Arts and Science calendar. Furthermore, students are expected to write examinations at the date/time published and are not to book vacations, appointments, etc. during the exam session. • employment is something most correspondence students have in common and, although we acknowledge its importance, it is not considered sufficient grounds to reschedule an exam. Please direct any questions to the Correspondence Examinations Coordinator by the published deadlines. I didn’t indicate an Exam Centre when I registered. What happens in this case? The Correspondence Examination Coordinator will assign an Exam Centre code after looking at your course registration for the term to determine if you are Kingston or Distance student (see definitions above). Distance students will be assigned an Exam Centre code based on their “mail” address on QCARD. This is why it is important to keep this address up to date at all times. How can I change my Exam Centre? Is there a fee involved? To request a change to your Exam Centre: • you must notify Candy Randall-Quesnel, the Correspondence Examination Coordinator • you must request the change prior to the published deadlines (below) or you will be subject to an administrative fee of $100.00 per exam affected! • remember that only DISTANCE students will be permitted to write at off-campus Exam Centres Deadlines for changing Exam Centres for Spring, Spring-Summer and Summer 2007 Examination Sessions Spring Term 1 June 2007 Spring-Summer Session 1 June 2007 Summer Term 30 July 2007 How will I know the date, time, and location of my exam? If you are a KINGSTON student, you will write your exam on the Kingston campus. You will be required to access the exams schedule at www.queensu.ca/registrar/ exams/ for both on-campus and correspondence exam details. The exam timetable Guide ix is posted about eight weeks before the exam period begins. Kingston students will also be linked to the Queen’s exam schedule through the Web-CT course site using their Queen's NetID. If you are a DISTANCE student, you will be notified via Queen's email when exam centre details become available on your Web-CT course site. Exam information will be posted on Web-CT as quickly as the proctors from the external Exam Centres can provide the final details. a) Students who do not have access to the Internet must notify the Examinations Coordinator immediately following registration. b) Distance students writing in “remote” areas (exam location code #9999) where an established exam site does not already exist (as determined by the Examinations Coordinator) will not need to access Web-CT for this purpose because they are directly involved in setting up the actual exam with the proctor. c) Incarcerated students will be notified of the date/time/location of their exam in writing approximately three weeks before the exam session begins. d) Distance students who have a deferred exam from a previous term must notify the Examinations Coordinator by the “deadline for changing exam centres” (see above) pertaining to the exam session in which they expect to write. N.B. See your course notes for information on activating your Queen's NetID and accessing Web-CT or visit: http://www.queensu.ca/currentStudents/onlineResources/ Are exams at the Kingston campus and at off-campus Exam Centres scheduled at the same time? The date and time of an exam is normally the same for both on-campus and offcampus centres, but the AM and PM start times may vary for exams written at off-campus exam centres. Occasionally, it may be necessary for the Correspondence Examinations Coordinator to change the date/time of an exam to resolve conflicts with other exams or proctor access at the off-campus exam centres. Are correspondence course exams held in the evenings or on weekends? NO! Weekend or evening exams are rarely scheduled at off-campus exam centres. You may expect that all exams written at off-campus sites will be held during the normal work day, either in the morning or early afternoon. Guide x I can’t write my exam as scheduled. How can I change the date and time of my exam? Is there a fee involved? Remember that dates and times for examinations are set by the University and students are expected to comply! DO NOT schedule vacations, appointments, etc., during the exam period. Consult your course notes or the Sessional Dates section of the current-year Arts and Science calendar for the exam period. Note: The University reserves the right to adjust the published exam period dates, as required. • any student who requests a change in the date/time of an exam will be subject to an administrative fee of $100.00 per exam affected, regardless of the timing of the request, provided the request is approved by the Correspondence Examination Coordinator, the course instructor, and/or the Associate Dean of Studies appealing to write the exam EARLIER than scheduled: such appeals are very rarely successful even with extenuating circumstances. Students must first notify the Correspondence Examinations Coordinator, Candy Randall-Quesnel, and appeal in writing to both the course instructor and the Associate Dean of Studies. The Associate Dean of Studies may be contacted through the Faculty of Arts & Science, F200 Mackintosh-Corry Hall, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6 or by calling (613) 533-2470. appealing to write the exam LATER than scheduled: students must appeal in writing to both the course instructor and the Correspondence Examinations Coordinator, Candy Randall-Quesnel. • • I’m scheduled to work at the same time as I’m scheduled to write my exam. Can I reschedule my exam for this reason? NO. Employment is something most correspondence students have in common and is not considered a valid reason to postpone or reschedule an exam. Do I need to show identification at my exam? Yes, photo id is required for exams. Students are required to bring their Queen’s Photo ID to all exams. Students writing exams without a Queen’s Photo ID card (or a Queen’s off-campus card with supporting photo ID for distance students) will be assessed a fee of $20 per exam. Students can obtain a replacement student card (photo ID or off-campus card) for $20 at the Office of the University Registrar, Richardson Hall, Rm 103; telephone (613) 533-2040 (office hours 9 am-noon and 14 pm). The Queen’s photo ID (or off-campus card) does not need to be validated with a sticker for the purposes of writing an exam. Are there correspondence exam accommodations for disabled students? Students requiring accommodations for exams in correspondence courses due to special needs must contact Health, Counselling and Disability Services IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING REGISTRATION to be assessed so that arrangements can be finalized well in advance of the exam period. Student Responsibility For Mailing Address Students are responsible for keeping the ‘mail’ address on QCARD up to date at all times as this is the only address used by the University for the purposes of scheduling exams. Guide xi ESTABLISHED CENTRES FOR WRITING CORRESPONDENCE EXAMS British Columbia 0015 Comox 0071 Kelowna 0143 Trail 0158 Vancouver 0159 Victoria Alberta 0215 Calgary 0229 Edmonton Saskatchewan 0529 Regina 0536 Saskatoon Manitoba 0744 Thompson 0764 Winnipeg Northern Ontario 1028 Bracebridge 1101 Elliot Lake 1251 Kapuskasing 1252 Kenora 1253 Kirkland Lake 1305 Marathon 1327 North Bay 1452 Sault Ste. Marie 1454 Sudbury 1476 Thunder Bay 1477 Timmins Western Ontario 2160 Guelph 2276 London 2351 Owen Sound 2500 Sarnia 2552 Windsor 2553 Waterloo Central Ontario 3020 Barrie 3051 Collingwood 3176 Hamilton 3351 Orillia 3352 Oshawa 3376 Parry Sound 3377 Peterborough 3451 St. Catharines 3476 Toronto 3478 Mississauga Eastern Ontario 4027 Belleville 4028 Brockville 4051 Cloyne 4052 Cornwall 4176 Hawkesbury 4251 Kingston 4350 Ottawa 4376 Pembroke 4451 Smiths Falls Quebec 5113 Montreal - Concordia New Brunswick 6036 Fredericton 6085 Moncton 6136 Saint John Nova Scotia 6202 Amherst 6250 Halifax 6336 Sydney 6343 Truro N.T. 6778 Yellowknife Yukon 6965 Whitehorse Newfoundland 7060 Cornerbrook 7151 Gander 7457 St. John’s International 8102 Edinburgh, Scotland 8125 Fort Myers, Florida USA 8158 Glasgow, Scotland 8176 Bermuda 8179 Hong Kong 8183 International Study Centre Herstmonceux Castle, England 8281 London, England 8329 New York, NY, USA 8485 Trinidad Penitentiaries 9028 Bath Institution 9051 Collins Bay 9127 Frontenac Institution 9151 Gravenhurst 9226 Joyceville 9251 Kingston 9302 Millhaven 9551 Warkworth Guide xii ACADEMIC INTEGRITY (excerpts from Academic Regulation 12 Academic Integrity in the Arts & Science Calendar) For the most recent version of this academic regulation, please consult the Arts & Science Calendar online at http://www.queensu.ca/calendars/artsci/index.htm. The Queen’s University Senate Policy on Academic Integrity may be found on the internet at www.queensu.ca/secretariat/senate/policies/AcadInteg.html. a DEFINITION Academic integrity provides a foundation for the “freedom of inquiry and exchange of ideas” fundamental to the educational environment at Queen’s University (see www.queensu.ca/secretariat/senate/policies/princpri/index.html. As a member of the Centre for Academic Integrity (CAI), Queen’s subscribes to the definition of academic integrity “as a commitment, even in the face of adversity, to five fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility” (see www.academicintegrity.org/pdf/FVProject.pdf) c DEPARTURES FROM ACADEMIC INTEGRITY Any departure from these values compromises the “free enquiry and the free expression of ideas, both of which are basic to the University’s central purpose” (www.queensu.ca/secretariat/senate/policies/princpri/index.html. The following list defines the domain of relevant acts without providing an exhaustive list: i Plagiarism (presenting another’s ideas or phrasings as one’s own without proper acknowledgement) Examples: copying and pasting from the internet, a printed source, or other resource without proper acknowledgement; copying from another student; using direct quotations or large sections of paraphrased material in an assignment without appropriate acknowledgement; submitting the same piece of work in more than one course without the permission of the instructor(s). ii Use of unauthorized materials Examples: possessing or using unauthorized study materials or aids during a test; copying from another’s test paper; using unauthorized calculator or other aids during a test; unauthorized removal of materials from the library, or deliberate concealment of library materials. iii Facilitation (enabling another’s breach of academic integrity) Examples: making information available to another student; knowingly allowing one’s essay or assignment to be copied by someone else; buying or selling of term papers or assignments and submitting them as one’s own for the purpose of plagiarism. iv Forgery (submitting counterfeit documents or statements) Example: creating a transcript or other official document. Guide xiii v Falsification (misrepresentation of one’s self, one’s work or one’s relation to the University) Examples: altering transcripts or other official documents relating to student records; impersonating someone in an examination or test; submitting a take-home examination written, in whole or in part, by someone else; fabricating or falsifying laboratory or research data. h FAILURE TO ABIDE BY ACADEMIC RULES Students must abide by all Faculty and University academic rules, including rules imposed by course instructors, or others (for example, teaching assistants, laboratory demonstrators, guest or substitute instructors) regarding the preparation, writing, and submission of assignments, or the writing of tests and examinations. Students must also abide by other University-wide academic regulations, such as those governing ethics reviews. For penalties that can be assessed and procedures to be followed if a student fails to abide by academic rules, see Regulations 12d, e and f (available online at http://www.queensu.ca/calendars/artsci/pg532.html). For a complete list of the Academic Regulations at Queen's University, please consult the Faculty of Arts and Science Calendar. You may view the Calendar online at http://www.queensu.ca/calendars/artsci/index.htm ADDING or DROPPING a COURSE The university rules that govern adds and drops are established by Queen's, not CDS. Therefore, if you wish to add a course or drop a course, you must follow the University policies. A complete list of these regulations can be found in the Faculty of Arts and Science calendar. A summary of the rules follows. Adding a Course If you are registered in a course during the current term and wish to enrol in an additional course, you may add the course online on QCARD. (Alternatively, fill out the Academic Change Form found in the Forms section at the back of these course notes and fax or mail the completed form to CDS). Remember that you must contact the Campus Bookstore to receive textbooks and course notes. Students residing overseas must take into account the longer transit time for course materials. Please add any courses and request course materials well before the deadline dates! Dropping a Course Be sure to familiarize yourself with the drop deadline dates. They are listed in the Arts & Science Calendar and page i of this Guide (Important Academic Dates). Failure to submit assignments does not constitute withdrawal from the course, and doing so without officially dropping the course will result in your instructor assigning you a failing Guide xiv grade. If you decide to drop a course, you may do so online through QCARD. (Alternatively, complete and fax or mail the Academic Change Form included in the Forms section of the course notes or simply write us a letter before the last date to drop without failure. Remember to include your student number and mailing address.) Fee refunds are calculated from the date the course is dropped from your academic record. When the full-refund period ends (see Important Academic Dates) an initial 25 per cent is deducted from the total fee charged; thereafter a daily percentage is deducted from the total fee charged until no refund is left. The last date to drop a course and still receive a full refund is earlier in the term than the last date to drop a course without receiving a failing grade. Students who need assistance in calculating their fee refund after officially dropping a course should contact the Office of the University Registrar at 613 533-6894 or visit: http://www.queensu.ca/registrar/fees/refund.html Dropping a Course After the Deadline to Drop has Passed If, after the academic deadline to drop has passed, you encounter extenuating circumstances that prevent you from continuing with the course, you may appeal to the Associate Dean of Studies for permission to drop the course late. Such an appeal must be made in writing and be accompanied by a $25 non-refundable cheque payable to Queen's University. The appeal should include your name, student number, mailing address, and email address. State the reasons you are requesting permission to withdraw from the course. Supporting documentation (e.g. a medical certificate in the case of illness) should also be provided. Direct your appeal to: Associate Dean of Studies Faculty of Arts & Science F200 Mackintosh-Corry Hall 68 University Avenue Queen's University Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6 For further information, please contact Continuing & Distance Studies/Faculty of Arts & Science at 613 533-2470. Information is also available online at: http://www.queensu.ca/artsci/student_services/ Click on “Appeals”. IF YOU CANNOT FINISH YOUR COURSE If illness or other extenuating circumstances prevent you from finishing a course, there are several possible options that may be open to you. They are: C C C incomplete (IN) deferring your exam receiving an aegrotat standing (an estimated final grade based on course work) Contact Continuing & Distance Studies/Arts & Science Faculty Office at 613 533-2470 for further details. Guide xv FINAL GRADES AND TRANSCRIPTS Marks reports (final grades) are made available on QCARD by the Office of the University Registrar approximately three weeks after the end of the examination period. If you have any questions concerning the receipt of your final grades, call the Registrar’s Office at 613 533-6000, Ext. 74080. Students requiring an official transcript must complete the Transcript Request Form found in the Forms section at the back of the course notes and mail it to the Transcript Clerk; the full mailing address is found on the form. You may also want to visit the Office of the University Registrar’s Web site http://www.queensu.ca/registrar/transcript/inform.html or telephone 613 533-2219 for information on how to order an official transcript. Students Graduating from Other Universities If you are graduating from another university and require a final grade in order to complete the requirements for your degree, you may contact Continuing & Distance Studies/Faculty of Arts & Science at 613 533-2470 for assistance. Please be prepared to provide the name and position of the person at your home university who is to receive your grade. We will make every effort to notify your home university by the required date. As confirmation of your final grade, you must order an official transcript from the Transcript Clerk at the Office of the University Registrar (see above) to be sent to the appropriate individual at your home university. Review of Grades and Examinations (Excerpt of Academic Regulation 11 in the Arts & Science Calendar) FINAL EXAMINATIONS AND FINAL GRADES b Students have the right to a review of their final examination papers. For this purpose, final examination paper means the final examination question paper in a course and the graded answer paper written by the student which, by Senate policy, must be retained for a period of 12 months. i As a first step, the student should request an informal review with the instructor concerned, and instructors are strongly encouraged to consent. This request must be made within 21 calendar days of receipt of the final mark. The instructor will normally provide a reconsidered grade within a further 21 calendar days of receipt of the request and any further information being submitted by the student. However, access to the final examination paper may not be granted before the final marks are released. ii If the request for an informal review is denied or if the student is not satisfied with the instructor’s decision following a formal review of the examination or final grade, the student may appeal the decision, in writing, to the Associate Dean (Studies) (see Regulation 33c, Appeal of Academic Decisions). The appeal must be submitted to Guide xvi the Arts and Science Faculty Office within 21 calendar days of receiving the instructor’s decision. The appeal must include copies of all relevant documents, and be accompanied by the Faculty appeal fee. (See chapter on Fees for Faculty appeal charge.) You may view the Calendar online by following the links at http://www.queensu.ca/calendars/artsci/index.htm É Guide xvii Blank