Attendance
The First-Year Writing program expects your full engagement in the work of face-to-face, online, and hybrid classes. Because writing classes are intensive and interactive, missing classes, failing to meet deadlines, and/or not participating in required activities will significantly compromise your learning.
Should you face extenuating circumstances, however, we will remain as flexible as possible in accommodating you. Our specific policies are shown below. Please consult your instructor and/or Dr. Luke Niiler, Director of First-Year Writing (lpniiler@ua.edu) with any questions.
- Face-to-face and hybrid classes: During Fall and Spring semesters, you should miss no more than four classes in sections that meet twice a week, and no more than six classes in sections that meet three times a week. During Summer semesters, you should miss no more than three classes. Your final grade will be reduced by 1/3rd of a letter (ie, B+ to B) for each additional class you miss. Please note that scheduled instructor conferences and online classes that meet at the same time as your regular class time count as regular classes.
- Officially designated distance learning classes: Please read and follow all communications from your instructor, meet deadlines listed on the course schedule or syllabus, and participate in all class activities. These activities and assignments may include Blackboard or Turnitin assignments, online peer review, video conferences, ePortfolio work, etc. See your instructor’s late/missing work policy for additional details and penalties.
- If you approach absence limits, begin missing deadlines, miss daily work due to absences, or fail to participate in required activities, it is your responsibility to promptly communicate your circumstances in a timely manner to your instructor, who can work with you to make alternative arrangements.
- Note that all such arrangements are subject to the terms of your instructor’s late/missing work policy. Also note that late or missing work can result in grade penalties, per your instructor’s policy.
- Attendance accommodation requests from the Office of Disability Services (ODS) should be shared promptly and privately with your instructor.
Grading
Papers are graded A through F with pluses and minuses as necessary.
Paper grades can be converted to percentages like this:
A+=98, A=95, A-=92, B+=88, B=85, B-=82, C+=78, C=75, C-=72, D+=68, D=65, D-=62, F=50.
Final numeric grades will be converted to letter grades like this:
100-98=A+; 97-93=A; 92-90=A-; 89-88=B+; 87-83=B; 82-80=B-; 79-78=C+; 77-73=C; 72-70=C-; 69 and below=NC
ABC-No Credit
Missed Exams and Coursework
Individual teachers may also have more specific policies about late assignments. Consult your class syllabus.
Academic Misconduct
The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.
Turnitin
Communication/Class Moves Online In Case of Emergency
In the event of an emergency, your instructor will use Blackboard Learn to provide additional course information.
UA is a residential campus with many students living on or near campus. In general classes will remain in session until the National Weather Service issues safety warnings for the city of Tuscaloosa. Clearly, some students and faculty commute from adjacent counties. These counties may experience weather related problems not encountered in Tuscaloosa. Individuals should follow the advice of the National Weather Service for that area taking the necessary precautions to ensure personal safety. Whenever the National Weather Service and the Emergency Management Agency issue a warning, people in the path of the storm (tornado or severe thunderstorm) should take immediate life saving actions.
When West Alabama is under a severe weather advisory, conditions can change rapidly. It is imperative to get to where you can receive information from the National Weather Service and to follow the instructions provided. Personal safety should dictate the actions that faculty, staff and students take. The Office of Public Relations will disseminate the latest information regarding conditions on campus in the following ways:
- Weather advisory posted on the UA homepage
- Weather advisory sent out through Connect-ED–faculty, staff and students (sign up at myBama)
- Weather advisory broadcast over WVUA at 90.7 FM
- Weather advisory broadcast over Alabama Public Radio (WUAL) at 91.5 FM
- Weather advisory broadcast over WVUA 7. WVUA 7 Storm Watch provides a free service you can subscribe to that allows you to receive weather warnings for Tuscaloosa via e-mail, pager or cell phone. Check http://www.wvua7.com/stormwatch.html for details.