General Course Policies

Modified

January 4, 2026

Students must maintain academic integrity (no cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized materials, falsification, etc.).
Violations follow SCTCC Academic Integrity Policy/Procedure and may be recorded; disciplinary action may apply.
Academic integrity violations result in a grade reduction.

Online discussions must be civil, respectful, and relevant.
Disruptive behavior on any course communication platform is not tolerated; may result in grade penalties and/or removal per the Code of Student Conduct.
Respect for differing viewpoints is required; maintain professional language and conduct.
If disruptive behavior causes a student to miss an assignment, they receive no credit for that assignment.
If sanctioned for disruptive behavior, students waive the right to a warning on a second occurrence.
Substance policy for online sessions: inebriation/being under the influence, displaying alcohol, or drug paraphernalia results in removal from the session and/or course; no smoking during online school activites.

Course progress is discussed only with the student, not parents/guardians/third parties, unless an Information Release is on file.
If a third party contacts the instructor, the instructor will defer communication to the student.
Students may not invite third parties to attend any online activity (office hours, group meetings).
Requests to release progress information to a third party should go through the Dean’s office.

Attendance is expected and monitored; students are responsible for tracking absences.
Attendance is determined by D2L logins and weekly assignment submissions.
Not logging in and/or not submitting work for a week counts as an absence (including weeks without due assignments unless it’s a scheduled holiday/break).
Students must log in and complete an activity by 11:30 PM on the first Wednesday of week 1 or they may be dropped.
Missing two consecutive weeks → dropped.
Missing two total weeks → one-letter-grade reduction (10% of total points).
Missing three total weeks → an additional one-letter-grade reduction.
Additional absences beyond three → additional letter-grade reduction per occurrence.
Attendance is handled per class (one class doesn’t cover another).

Students are responsible for having required computer/technology for the course.
Students are responsible for learning and using D2L (primary channel for schedules, grades, and announcements).

Email is the primary method to contact the instructor; students must use their college email account.
Emails must include a subject line with course name and section/class time.
Students are expected to check email daily and read instructor messages/attachments.
On nights homework is due, only administrative email items will be answered; technical homework questions will not be addressed.
Response time: by end of next business day; Friday emails answered Monday.