Class Lists
Your departmental secretary will give you your class list(s) before classes start. Faculty may also access class lists through the myFramingham portal to follow additions or withdrawals from the course and retrieve student contact information.
Add/Drop
Up to the sixth academic day of the semester, students have the opportunity to change their class schedules by adding or dropping courses. By logging onto myFramingham, students may add or drop a course, including changing a section of a course, until the end of the six-day Add/Drop period. During Add/Drop students may try to add classes that are already at their enrollment limit. However, this will not be allowed without instructor approval. Overloads cannot be done by the student alone at a computer, as the decision to overload is an instructor decision. You should seek the guidance of colleagues on whether to allow an overload in your particular course and, if so, what priority rules to use. If the course is full, or if prerequisites are required, a student may submit a completed override form, bearing your signature granting permission to enroll, to the Office of the Registrar.
Withdrawal from Courses
Students who withdraw between the third and ninth week of a regular semester will incur no academic penalty in the grade point average but will have a notation of “W” on their permanent records. Students must submit a completed Course Withdrawal form to the Office of the Registrar no later than the designated Course Withdrawal period deadline (see academic calendar). Students are not officially withdrawn from courses until the appropriate forms have been completed and have been validated by the Office of the Registrar. No student may withdraw from a course during a regular semester after the ninth week unless there are extraordinary circumstances, such as documented hospitalization or sickness. In such cases, with the concurrence of both the Dean of Students or designee and the course instructor, a “W” grade may be authorized.
Voluntary Withdrawal from the University
Students may withdraw from the University at any time before the end of the Course Withdrawal period (prior to the ninth week of a semester) by submitting a completed "Withdrawal from the University" form to the Office of the Registrar. The student is withdrawn from all courses with a designation of "WX" noted on his or her academic record. If a student chooses to withdraw from the University after the ninth week of the semester, s/he will receive a final grade in all courses. Students with extraordinary circumstances (such as documented hospitalization or sickness) should consult with the Dean of Students.
Attendance Policy
Although students are expected to attend class regularly, the attendance policy for each class is determined by the professor. The policy should include the circumstances under which you as the instructor will approve an excused absence and the procedure for completing any make-up work. This policy should appear on your course syllabi.
Absence Due to Religious Beliefs
(Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 151C, 2B) Any student in an educational or vocational training institution, other than a religious or denominational educational or vocational training institution, who is unable, because of her/his religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination study or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from such examination or study or work requirement, and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study, or work requirement which he/she may have missed because of such absence on any particular day; provided, however, that such makeup examination or work shall not create an unreasonable burden upon such school. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to said student such an opportunity. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of his/her availing him/herself to the provisions of this section.
Standards for Oral and Written Performance
Proper use of English is expected of students in all courses requiring oral and/or written work. Instructors may evaluate students’ oral and written work on the basis of the proper use of English as well as content. Instructors will specify their policies for evaluating the proper use of English in course assignments. Instructors may refer students showing major deficiencies in the use of English to the Center for Academic Support and Advising (CASA).
Examinations
All examinations are to be given within the structure of the University policy regarding academic honesty. With the exception of final examinations, exams and tests may be scheduled at the discretion of the instructor. It is the responsibility of the student to follow whatever procedures are established and presented in the syllabus. Final examinations are required in all courses except those that have different requirements as determined by the departments offering the courses. Unless exceptions are approved by the department chair and the Dean of Students or designee, final examinations will be given during regularly scheduled examination periods and the student must take the examinations at the prescribed time.
Academic Honesty
Integrity is essential to academic life. Consequently, students who enroll at Framingham State University agree to maintain high standards of academic honesty and scholarly practice, becoming familiar with the published policies and procedures regarding academic honesty. Faculty members may, at their discretion, include in the course syllabus additional statements relating the definition of academic honesty to the requirements of their particular courses. They shall administer tests and exams in such a manner as to provide the best possible situation for all students. Academic honesty infractions include, but are not limited to: plagiarism; cheating on exams, tests, quizzes, assignments, and papers; unauthorized collaboration with other individuals in the preparation of course assignments; submitting without authorization the same assignment for credit in more than one course; use of dishonest procedures in computer, laboratory, studio, or field work. Clarification on dealing with academic dishonesty may be here.
Class Cancellations
All faculty, including visiting lecturers, who will be absent must call the department secretary (Day Division) or the DGCE Office (evening classes) at (508) 626-4550 as early as possible in the day. You should indicate the expected length of your absence and the reason for your absence. A notice will be posted on the classroom door, but if possible individual students should be contacted. One effective way of notifying students is to email them as a group through Blackboard. (Click on “all student users” in the email section of the course site.) You should alert students at the beginning of the semester to check their email for class cancellations, especially if they are commuters. They should also check their personal information on Blackboard to make sure the best email address for contacting them is listed there.
The Vice President for Administration and Finance, in consultation with the other vice presidents, is charged with the responsibility of closing the University and/or canceling classes due to adverse weather conditions. Individual faculty members are not authorized to initiate such class cancellations. If classes are canceled because of adverse weather conditions or other emergency circumstances, only essential personnel are required to report for work. All other personnel, including Visiting Lecturers, are excused with pay. Faculty and students may call the Framingham State University Weather Line at (508) 626-4898 to confirm school cancellations. Announcements pertaining to cancellation are also carried on television station WBZ.
