Dr. Mekler's Attendance
Policy: [Covid Edition]
I will be operating under a basic assumption:
Certainly, the Covid crisis has forced us all to
re-calibrate our lives in multiple ways, but I believe that we
will still be able to maintain a sense of regularity in our
class meetings.
If, however, there are any extenuating circumstances that
will prevent you from following any of the guidelines listed
below, please contact me ASAP to discuss things.
First and foremost, I want to be as fair,
understanding, and compassionate as possible this
semester. Two-way communication will be the key to my
success in this endeavor.
What it means to be "present."
Our class will be meeting during its
regularly-scheduled time through Zoom. I will send out an
invitation to the class shortly before each session begins.
At the beginning of each class, you will sign in using
the chat function in Zoom. This is just a
safety measure in case you come in after I have taken
attendance.
You will be expected to be stationed in
front of a computer, with your camera on but microphone
muted until you are called on.
**Do not sign in to the class, then turn off your camera.
If I can't see you, I will assume you aren't really there
and will mark you accordingly. **
Again, if there circumstances that may prevent you from
accessing the class with a camera, you must notify
me ahead of time to discuss things.
If you have seen me, you know that I am the last
person who should judge anyone's appearance. Being
freshly showered and made up is not a prerequisite for
participation.
Absences: As the class syllabus makes clear, you are expected to attend
every class. If you are forced to miss class for some
official reason, it is your responsibility to procure written
verification explaining the reason for your absence.
Submit these excuses to me electronically through the Canvas
mail function. Again, this is your responsibility.
If I don't happen to ask you for an excuse, that does not mean I
don't need one.
At the same time, there is also a limit to the number of
excused absences that are not detrimental. Please
understand that numerous excused absences will most likely cause
your grade to suffer. We will be covering a lot of
material in this class, and if you are not here to participate
and discuss problems you may be having, you will be at a
disadvantage.
** Be sure to
check your attendance records in Starfish regularly and contact
your professor with any questions.**Lates: Please be on time for every class. An official
late involves arriving to class more than five (5) minutes after
the beginning.
Students will not be able to make up any
quizzes that they miss due to unexcused lates.
Again, there are a couple of cases where a late might be
excused. Talk to me after class about your reason
for being late. If you don't speak with me, I will assume
you have no excuse. If you know ahead of time about a
situation that will either cause you to miss class or to be late,
please make arrangements with me ahead of time.
Either tell me the class before or call me beforehand. That
is just a matter of courtesy. Of course, written
documentation will still be needed to verify your excuse.