School
U.S. Classroom Guidelines
Compared to classrooms in other countries, U.S. classrooms tend to be informal. For the most part, classrooms tend to be places where you are learning and sharing information, ideas, and opinions in a respectful manner. Remember that there are some very basic rules observed in our classrooms.
- Arrive on time for class! Professors do not take tardiness lightly. If you arrive late, quietly walk to your seat and do not go up to the professor until the class has ended.
- If you know that you will be late or absent, let the professor know beforehand by email. Make sure to ask the professor or a classmate for the assignments or notes.
- Try not to miss a class as this will put you behind. Professors usually have guidelines about being absent and might count these against your final grade if you miss too many classes.
- Since classrooms are informal, professors might sit at a chair (or on the desk) while in class.
- Professors are available for questions during their “office hours” which are normally listed on the course syllabus or at the professor’s office. You might also be able to make an appointment with them via email if you need to.
- If you wish to record a class, you must ask permission from the professor beforehand.
- It is inappropriate to talk to friends, use your phone, or surf the internet while in class (especially if the professor is speaking)
- Be on time to meetings and classes. This is important not just in the classroom, but everywhere in the U.S.
- You should expect homework assignments, quizzes, and tests throughout the semester. All of these items will be used along with the final exams to calculate your course grade.
- It is common for professors to include participation and attendance in factoring into your grades as well.
- Remember to go to class prepared! You should complete the readings and homework prior to class.
- Do assignments exactly how the professor asks. If there is something that you do not understand, make sure to ask questions directly to the professor.
- It is your responsibility to complete assignments. Assignments, quizzes and tests have due dates that are generally listed out on the syllabus and you must ensure that everything is turned in on time.
- Professors will let you know of their acceptance of late work. It is possible that they will not allow you to turn in assignments after the due date without a valid reason (medical or prior agreement).
- It is appropriate to ask questions in class. Usually, you will raise your hand and wait for the professor to recognize you before you speak.
- While some professors are available after class, the easiest way to ask more detailed questions is by scheduling an appointment.
- Communication is important so make sure you let your professors know about any issues related to the material or personal issues that may inhibit course performance. This can be done after class, during office hours, or via e-mail.
- Professors tend to enjoy when students discuss ideas rather than just sitting and listening. Don’t be afraid to speak up in class!
- If you don’t understand something, ask! This will show that you care about your grades and want to succeed.
- Being prepared should include studying outside of class, asking any questions, and using resources on campus if you need extra help.
- If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, do not stop going to classes. This will make the situation more difficult. Instead, you can reach out to your professor, advisor, campus counselor or the International Services team for help.
Academic Dishonesty
Student dishonesty (cheating or plagiarizing) will not be tolerated in any class at Indiana Tech. Students are encouraged to inform the academic advisors of instances of cheating or plagiarizing.
Definitions
- Cheating is defined as dishonesty or deceitfulness in order to gain an advantage. Examples are: talking to other students or looking at their work during examinations.
- Plagiarism is another form of cheating. Students are guilty of plagiarism when they present someone else’s work as their own. Examples are: asking a friend to write an assignment paper for you, or including portions of material from a book, journal or computer file without giving appropriate credit to the author.
- Self-plagiarism (or recycling fraud) is the resubmission of part of all of one’s own work to fulfill academic requirements in the same course or in other courses without providing proper acknowledgment of the original work with accurate citations.
- Fabrication is the falsification or invention of information or data in any academic undertaking.
- Facilitating academic dishonesty involved assisting someone in an act of dishonesty.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism can be intentional (you purposely used someone else’s work and did not cite properly) or unintentional (you forgot to cite the author on accident). The results and penalties are the same.
To avoid plagiarism, make sure you cite all of your sources with your assignments using the proper MLA or APA guidelines indicated by your professor. Additionally, there are workshops on campus to help teach you how to cite properly and to give credit to the authors accurately to prevent issues with plagiarism.
Cheating at Indiana Tech is taken very seriously. Do not let others look at your answers or give someone answers, copy from an assignment, or talk during an examination. As a student, it is imperative that you do your own work and do not let others use your answers.
Consequences
Academic dishonesty is regarded as a serious offense against the academic community. When a student is believed to have disregarded the principles of academic integrity, consequences will follow.
When academic integrity is believed to be compromised, faculty must adhere to the policy as stated on their course syllabi regarding academic dishonesty. In addition, faculty are required to follow the Infraction Card process as outlined in the Student Conduct Policy.
General Policies
Indiana Tech has a set of policies laid out for students which can be accessed at IndianaTech.edu/about/policies. While these are discussed during orientation, some of the highlighted policies are listed below:
- FERPA: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution.
- Title IX: This is a federal civil rights law passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972. This law protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance.
- Motor Vehicle Policies: All employees and students with a vehicle on campus between the hours of 6am-4pm Monday through Friday, during the traditional undergraduate academic sessions, must have a parking permit.
- Smoke-Free Campus: In order to foster a professional, healthy, safe, and clean learning and working environment, Indiana Tech has adopted a smoke-free and tobacco-free policy. This means that you are unable to smoke (cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, hookah, etc.), vape, or chew tobacco on campus grounds.
- Anti-Harassment: The university attempts to provide all students and employees with an environment free from any form of harassment, including that due to the student’s race, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, or disability.