Use your syllabus to:

1. Detail classroom management policies
2. Course regulations
3. Behavioral expectations
4. Academic policies

Develop Classroom Policies

Seek input from students in the development of these policies. If students have some sense of control and input to how the learning environment will be managed they are likely to take a much great responsibility for keeping the classroom a place for learning.

1. Attendance policy/and exceptions

2. Late for class policy
   a. Theater rule—if you are even one second late you wait in the hall until 10 minutes after the class has begun and then all late people enter together, this limits class disruption

3. Late assignments policy/and exceptions

4. Makeup of work

5. Makeup of tests

6. Appropriate times for the discussion of course issues
   ·         Before class
   ·         After class
   ·         Office hours

Course Regulations

Safety practices and equipment

1. Uniforms

2. Course tools or equipment

3. Sanitation practice

Behavioral Expectations

1. Dress or apparel
2. Eating/drinking/chewing
3. Leaving class
4. Don’t prepare to leave class early, books/coats etc.
5. No wearing headphones
6. No sleeping in class

Policies for Off Task Activities

1. Reading newspapers etc.
2. Doing work for another class
3. Putting on make-up
4. Noise/talking/chatting
5. Sleeping

Academic Policies

1. Addressing the professor/proper title
2. Civility and respect for all
3. Intimidation/harassment (see Ferris Student Handbook)
4. Grading/standards
5. Quality/expectation of work (grammar/spelling)
6. Plagiarism and other Academic Misconduct

Classroom Discussion Guidelines

Getting input from students is the best way to develop these guidelines

1. Asking questions/or asking to be heard
2. Interrupting others
3. Use of inappropriate language/cursing/sexual/sexist/racist
4. Respecting diverse views

References to established university/college policies dealing with issues of behavior (Ferris Handbook).

Example--Policies with regard to computer use in class.
Ferris computers are property of the university and subject to the rules and laws that govern a public institution in the State of Michigan

Faculty wanting further information about any of these topics are encouraged to contact Terry Doyle at doylet@ferris.edu



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