CLASSROOM CODE OF CONDUCT

All students, by virtue of having paid for their classes, have the right to learn without interference from others. As the instructor, it is ultimately my responsibility to protect this right by creating and maintaining an environment that is conducive to learning. Towards this end, I have developed the following Classroom Code of Conduct. The Code, which clarifies my basic expectations from students, is in fact,  a compilation of statements obtained directly from several existing Codes of  Conduct.  Students unwilling to abide by this code of conduct should drop/add immediately. Failure to abide by this code will result in disciplinary action which may include administrative withdrawal from the class.

1. Students are required and expected to conduct themselves as mature, considerate adults 

• Students should be in class, in their seats, and ready to start taking notes at the scheduled class time 
• Class will extend the full scheduled period. Please do not start packing to leave before class is over as this is distracting to others who are trying to hear the last of the presented material 
• Students should not engage in behavior that detracts from the learning experience. Behavior such as talking in class while the instructor is lecturing, ostentatiously not paying attention, sleeping, reading a newspaper or other unrelated materials, moving about the classroom, or engaging in other disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Students who are being disruptive may be asked to leave the class. 
• Cell phones, pagers, timers, etc. should be turned off before class starts. 
• Students should not leave the classroom early. If under special circumstances, a student must leave early, the student should inform the instructor at the start of class. In addition, in these circumstances, the student should sit next to an exit and avoid walking in front of the instructor and/or students. 
• Because the classroom should be a place for the free discussion of ideas, students should conduct and express themselves in a way that is respectful of all persons. 
• Students should treat all members of the learning community with respect. Toward this end, students will promote academic discourse and free exchange of ideas by listening with civil attention to comments made by others

• Students should show a genuine interest in learning the course material
• Students should develop a positive attitude towards the course and course material
• Students should develop self-discipline and responsibility for his/her own academic progress. Towards this end:

• Students should attend regularly, arrive to class on time, stay through the full period, and bring all necessary materials (books, paper, pen, minds, …) to class 
• Students should study for tests and exams 
• Students should participate in class 
• Students should ask for help when they need it 
• Students who miss a lecture should obtain a copy of the lecture notes from a fellow classmate 
• Students should make an effort to take all tests at the scheduled time and to turn in all homework assignments in class at the time it is due. Unless an adequate excuse is provided, grades will be marked down substantially for late work 
• Students are required and expected to behave in an academically honest manner 
• Students are expected to know what constitutes academic dishonesty (when in doubt, ask the instructor). Ignorance is not an excuse.