Classes begin

The Add/Drop Deadline: Students may add or drop a class through the third Friday of the term. This leads to some "shopping around" at the beginning of the term. Students need your permission to add your class, but not to drop it. Therefore, if a student stops attending on or before the deadline, he/she may have dropped your course. Check the classlist in 1600Grand to confirm. If a student wishes to add your course, if you have space and feel they can make up for the classes and material they have missed, you should admit them. If you have covered too much material by the time they ask, you are not obligated to admit them. They will bring you an "Add/Drop" slip for your signature to be admitted. They can pick up this slip at the Registrar.

Sept 22 is the last day that students can drop your class without having the "drop" designated on their transcript, and it is also the last day they can choose a "pass-fail" option for grading. Because of this, you should try to give students some idea of how well they are doing before this deadline through quizzes, an exam, short writing assignments, feedback on discussion or presentations, etc. This helps students make a more informed decision about your course.

Mid-Term Grades Due: Mid-term grades provide students with feedback on their performance, but do not become part of the student's academic record. Thus a relatively poor grade at mid-term can serve as a warning, and will never appear on the student's transcript.

It is important that you submit mid-term grades for all students. You are required to do so for all first years and sophomores, but in most cases, this is an important feedback mechanism for juniors and seniors as well. You can submit your grades on paper (the Registrar will send you the sheet some weeks before it is due along with instructions.) If you choose the paper option, grades are due by 4:30 to the Registrar's Office, 1st Floor, 77 Macalester Street. You can also submit grades electronically through 1600Grand. If you choose this option, grades are due by midnight.

Mid-term Break: Some faculty call this time "Mid-term breakdown." The term tends to be quite intense, and these two days give you a chance to catch your breath. Some students will leave campus early and/or return late, so if you schedule a quiz or exam on Wednesday, October 26, be prepared for some negotiating on the part of students. While the break is short, it is sometimes helpful to split a topic or discussion across the break, thus giving students a refresher when they return on Monday.

Last Day to Withdraw From a Class: Students may withdraw from a class until 4:30 on November 3. Instead of receiving a grade for the course (which is figured into their GPA), they will receive a "W," which is not. Thus, readers of the students' transcripts will know they enrolled in and then dropped the course, but will not know the quality of their academic work in the course.

Registration for Spring Term: Students will be looking for classes for next term and, while each student has a formal academic advisor, they may wish to talk to you about your classes, about graduate or professional school preparation, about majoring in your discipline, etc. Many faculty have extended office hours during this time if they anticipate this type of engagement. For technical questions about registration, refer students to their advisor or call the Registrar (x6200) or the Academic Programs Office (x6036) for information. Consult your department chair or other colleagues with questions about the major and other department-specific questions.

Thanksgiving Break: Another chance to catch your breath one final time before the sprint to the end of the term. If you are so inclined, you might consider inviting your international students to your home for Thanksgiving. Most of them cannot return home for this short break, and they may enjoy learning more about this gastronomically intense American holiday.

Last day to register for independent studies and internships over January: The College allows students to register for 2 credits of internship or independent study over three weeks in January. Students may not return to the dorms until early January, and their work must be completed by January 22. This option is available primarily to juniors and seniors who have enough academic background to benefit from independent study and internship experiences. If a student needs help setting up an internship, direct him/her to the Internship Office and its Director, Mike Porter.

Important NOTE: Because registration for January requires planning by residential life for the use of dorm space, the College will not accept late registration for January. Students at Macalester tend to be a little lax about deadlines. This is one deadline they should take very seriously.

Last Day of Classes: Perhaps the happiest day of the Fall term. Enjoy.

Final Exam Period: Refer to the Final Examination Schedule to see when your exam is scheduled. Your exam will be held in your classroom unless you make other arrangements. You are not required to give a final exam, and can use your judgment about the use of this time. Many faculty give final exams, some use the 2 hour period for presentations, summary discussions, or other class activities. Others do not use the period at all. You should consider putting this period to use in a way most appropriate for your course structure.

Final Grades Due: Final grades can be submitted in either paper or electronic formats. See "Mid-Term Grades Due" above for more information.

Occasionally, students will not have completed all the work in a course by your deadlines, and will ask you for an Incomplete. Incompletes are to be given only rarely for students who have encountered difficulties beyond their control that have hindered their academic progress. Such circumstances may include serious or prolonged mental or physical illness or significant family problems. Incompletes cannot be given to students who simply failed to meet course deadlines and want another chance, or who wish to improve their grade through additional or enhanced work. If in doubt, contact Ellen Guyer, Dean of Academic Programs (x6036) for guidance.

In order to give a student an Incomplete, you and the student have to fill out an Incomplete Contract which details the work to be completed, the timeline for completion, and the grade the student will receive if he/she fails to meet these conditions. You and the student need to sign this form, so don't let the student go home for the holidays before they sign. The form will come to you from the Registrar with the final grade sheet and instructions a few weeks before the end of the term. Under no circumstances may an Incomplete take longer than the first day of the next term, in this case, January 22, 2007..