Tuesday, September 27, 2016

New Advising Lounge?

I’m frequently asked if students can have access to the MSE Advising Lounge after hours, everyone indicates that you guys need/want a place to study of your own after normal business hours. I don’t know if it will happen in your tenure, but I am trying to make it happen for future MSE students. To do this, I need your help. 

Just yesterday I was asked to remind everyone to: clean up after themselves, pick up trash off the tables & floor, push chairs in, erase boards when done, and return borrowed items (stapler or tape). 

Again, I cannot make an after-hours lounge happen unless you do your part. Please be respectful of the space and staff. 

Important Stuff
Over the summer The Office of Academic Integrity (formally Honor Court) revamped their entire system. Below is a summary. Please know that MSE does review all submissions for plagiarism and will refer any and all incidents to the Office of Academic Integrity.
OLD SYSTEM
NEW SYSTEM


Faculty seen as prosecutor & needing to prove his/her case and the burden of proof lay with the faculty to prove guilt with countless hours of supportive documentation needing to be provided.
Faculty as expert witness to confirm or deny facts as investigated by the Office of Undergraduate Integrity. Faculty should call
231-9876 to initiate the investigation and will be walked through the appropriate steps.
Intent to cheat was considered.
Intent is not considered. The student either did cheat or did not cheat.
Panel had 4 students & 1 faculty member.
Panel has 3 students & 2 faculty members for closer administrative oversight.
Sanctions were mostly determined by faculty (i.e. double zero on assignment plus X hours of community service).
Sanctions can be requested by faculty on the front end, and if the student accepts the sanction, then it goes no further. But if the student does not, the panel ultimately decides. Sanctions include: suspensions, expulsions, and in the majority of cases, an F* in the course which cannot be removed by dropping or withdrawing from the course – it is permanently on the student’s transcript and they must retake the course. The student must also attend a 2-hour seminar led by the Office of Undergraduate Integrity and do a 16-hour online seminar related to academic integrity.
60+ days to be resolved from the time of being reported
15-20 days to be resolved from the time of being reported
Student could use the arguments, “You can’t prove that I cheated” and “I didn’t mean to” or “I didn’t know it was cheating.”
Only 3 responses for a student:
  1. I accept responsibility and the assigned sanction.
  2. I accept responsibility but do not accept the assigned sanction (so will go before the panel).
  3. I do not accept responsibility not the assigned sanction (so will before the panel). 

Important Dates
Please take special note and plan your time wisely: I will be away from the office on Friday, 9/30 and again next week from Wednesday – Friday. This week could not be helped as I am attending my brother-in-laws memorial party (he did not want a funeral). Next week I am attending an advising conference – so I can find new and improved ways to help you. 

10/3 – LAST DAY TO DROP, do NOT drop a class without talking to me first
10/12 & 13 – Senior Pictures
10/14 – Fall Brake
10/17 – Last Day To Resign
10/18-25 – Course Request

Senior News
The countdown to graduation has begun – 227 days from now you will cross the stage. Be ready by reviewing the commencement information now. In case your parents/families are still looking for hotels I strongly recommend Commencement Loading on campus.

Helpful Tools
Land the gig: Interview 101

Random
The first couple to be shown in bed together on prime time television were Fred and Wilma Flintstone.

Ut Prosim 
89th Speak not Evil of the absent for it is unjust. – George Washington, sometime before the age of 16, transcribed “Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation.”

Sandbox

My Schedule
Scheduled meeting times are available 10 – 12 & 1:30-4:30. To schedule a meeting please use your Google calendar, on the left side of your calendar you will see a drop down option to view other people’s calendars. There you can search for mine.  Once you open my calendar you can select a meeting date & time.