Classes Policy

3.1  Class Length
3.2  Class Attendance
3.3  Students Unable to Attend Courses on Certain Days Because of Religious Beliefs
3.4  Emergency Closing and Delayed Opening
3.5  Classroom Conduct
3.6  Classroom Recording
3.7  Children in the Classroom
3.8  Course Outline in the Learning Management System
3.9  Course Evaluation
3.10  Prohibiting Faculty Relatives in Class
3.11 Observance of Religious Holidays (Faculty)
3.12 Textbooks

3.1 Class Length

Monday through Friday classes are normally 50 minutes in length held three times a week, or 75 minutes held twice weekly. Faculty have no authority to change class schedules, or to modify the length of class sessions (i.e., to start late or leave early, etc.), or to change the day or the time of the class meeting. If you have any questions about these general rules, please discuss them with your Department Chair.

3.2 Class Attendance

Because of the relationship between attendance and course achievement, students are expected to attend all scheduled classes.

It is the responsibility of each faculty member at the start of the course to provide a clear written statement of the methods used to evaluate student achievement. Each faculty member also has the responsibility to advise students of his/her policies on make-up tests or assignments and on the treatment of missed assignments. Faculty members are encouraged to take into consideration extenuating circumstances when making individual decisions.

Traditionally, faculty members allow up to two (2) hourly absences for each credit hour (i.e. six (6) absences from a course which meets three (3) times per week in a fifteen (15) week semester), strictly for personal emergencies. There are some courses (i.e. clinical, laboratory, performance, etc.) that may demand different attendance. This information should be specified to the students at the beginning of the course.

Student attendance cannot be the sole determinant of a final grade in a course (although a student’s grade can be affected by poor attendance.) A faculty member cannot assign a grade of “F” solely for absences, however, students are strongly cautioned to be mindful of how professors link attendance requirements to other aspects of how they are evaluated. Thus attendance can seriously affect a grade, and even result in failure. Students have the right to appeal the grade they receive according to the established College procedure as stated in the “Student Rights & Responsibilities” document, which is available in the Student Involvement Office.

Attendance in online classes is defined by federal regulation as the active participation in a discussion forum, submission of a written assignment, or a completion of a quiz/test/exam. If a student does not complete at least one of these activities during a week’s time, s/he may be marked as absent for that week. Students who have NOT met attendance requirements for online courses by the census date will be considered as never attended and will be given a WN grade.

Revised and Passed by Faculty Senate, 2/28/18

3.3 Students Unable to Attend Courses on Certain Days Because of Religious Beliefs

Section 224a, Paragraph 6-a, of the New York State Education Law regarding absence from classes for religious observance states that “…each student who is absent from school, because of his or her religious beliefs, must be given an equivalent opportunity to register for classes or make up any examination, study or work requirements which he or she may have missed because of such absence on any particular day or days. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to such student such equivalent opportunity.

3.4 Emergency Closing and Delayed Opening

During inclement weather or other emergency situations parts or all of the college may need to close out of public safety concerns. Such information will be shared via the following channels:

  • Website posting at Everbridge webpage
  • Calling the college at 914-606-6900
  • Phone/Text message via SUNY WCC Alerts

Delayed Opening
When the college opening is delayed, a class may meet, depending on the time of the scheduled class meeting.

Evening On-Campus Classes
A decision to cancel evening classes will be based on the condition of the parking lots and the pathways and the weather forecast.

Off-Campus Classes
Off-campus classes taught in the evenings in high school buildings will follow the decision that has been made by the local school district in which the high school site is located.

Make-Ups
Faculty will be paid for class meetings canceled by the College for emergency reasons, but they are expected to make up the content of the missed classwork.

3.5 Classroom Conduct

Definitions

  • Class/Classroom: any academic space, inclusive of laboratories, field sites/locations, online/virtual platforms, etc. that is formally utilized for learning in connection to an academic course led by a member of the WCC faculty.
  • Classroom Disruption: behavior that a reasonable person would view as substantially or repeatedly interfering with normal operations of a class. Examples include, but are not limited to: (a) persistently speaking without being recognized; (b) continuing with conversations distracting the class; or (c) in extreme cases, resorting to physical threats or personal insults.

Policy

An essential interest of Westchester Community College is in establishing and maintaining an appropriate learning environment, maximizing the educational benefit to all students, maintaining an atmosphere of safety and comfort, and clarifying the instructor and students expectations of classroom conduct. As such, the college has identified the following expectations for student conduct in a classroom:

  1. Students are expected to arrive on time, remain seated during class, and refrain from packing up to leave class early. A student arriving late, leaving early, or who needs to step out of class (as in an emergency) should do so with minimal class disruption.
  2. Students are expected to focus on the class lesson. Students should refrain from doing work for other classes, eating, drinking, sleeping, or having conversations. Phones, laptops, and other electronic devices should only be used for class purposes.
  3. In the classroom and in all course related communications, students are expected to use appropriate language and address instructors and other students with civility.
  4. Students must silence all cell phones prior to the start of class.
  5. Visitors are only allowed with permission from the instructor, and children are not permitted in class at any time.
  6. For online/virtual platforms: the discussion area of the course is reserved for postings related to course work only. Postings of a personal or nonacademic nature are not permitted and may be removed by the instructor should they appear. Grades and personal issues should be handled by email to the instructor.

Students have the right to express themselves and participate freely in a class. Lawful, civil expression of disagreement with the instructor or other students is not in itself “disruptive behavior” and is not proscribed under these or any other regulations. However, when a student’s conduct in the classroom substantially or repeatedly interferes with the normal operations of a class (i.e. becomes disruptive) the college may take action to ensure the integrity of the classroom. These actions can range from a verbal or written warning to removal from a class for that session or for the remainder of the term. A student who is removed from a classroom for the remainder of a term will receive a grade of “W” on their transcript and will forfeit any tuition and fees associated with the class.

Approved by SUNY WCC Cabinet, January 30, 2024

Procedures for Responding to Classroom Misconduct

Step 1: Instructor Response

The college recognizes that faculty members are responsible for effective management of the classroom environment that promote conditions that will enhance student learning. Accordingly, instructors should set reasonable rules for classroom behavior and must articulate these rules, in writing, in materials provided to the students at the start of the semester.

Fortunately, student disruptions in WCC classrooms are rare and they seldom lead to disciplinary actions. However, when student behavior is disruptive, an instructor will inform the student as to the inappropriateness of the behavior and ask that the identified behavior cease. The instructor may also warn the student that continuing such behavior could result in their removal from the class. Many students may be unaware that their behavior is inappropriate; therefore, a warning and/or a private conversation with a student is often an effective initial step. Instructors are also encouraged to refer a student to available campus resources for additional support that the student may need (see AVAILABLE CAMPUS RESOURCES & SUPPORT for more information).

If the inappropriate behavior persists in the same class session after the instructor has repeatedly addressed the student behavior with them, the instructor may inform the student they need to leave the class for the remainder of that session. If a student refuses to leave after being instructed to do so, the student should be informed that Security will be called. If the student still refuses to leave after this notification, the instructor should contact WCC Security at 914-606-6911. The instructor should meet with the student prior to the next scheduled class to discuss appropriate classroom behavior.

NOTE: If, in the instructor’s best professional judgment, the student’s behavior creates an imminent threat of harm to self or other members of the class, the instructor may dismiss the entire class for that session and immediately contact Security at 914-606-6911 to report the incident.

Step 2: Meeting with School Dean

If the behavior persists after repeated attempts by the instructor to correct the disruptive behavior over multiple course sessions, the instructor will submit, to their respective School Dean, a signed and dated written statement that includes: (1) a description of the disruptive behavior; (2) the dates which it occurred; and (3) the interventions the instructor attempted. The School Dean may either work with the instructor to strategize new interventions or may meet with the student and instructor together.

If the School Dean selects a meeting they must send written notification to the student that includes: (1) a copy of the statement from the instructor and (2) the date and time of a scheduled meeting between the student, School Dean and the instructor. The student must be given at least three (3) business days’ notice of the meeting with an opportunity to request the meeting be rescheduled.

At the meeting, the School Dean, instructor, and student will try to mutually resolve the issue. The student will be able to present information and evidence on their own behalf about the incident(s) in class. The School Dean and instructor may recommend to the student that they be moved to another section of the same course, allow a student to finish a course remotely, or impose other appropriate measures that addresses the disruptive behavior and allows a student to continue in the course. The student, instructor and School Dean must unanimously agree to these conditions. When agreed to by all parties, the School Dean will send a confirmation to the student in writing.

If a unanimous resolution is not reached at this meeting and the instructor and School Dean believe, in their best professional judgment, that the student’s continued presence in the classroom causes significant disruption to the class that would substantially interfere with the normal operations of the class, the School Dean will submit a Classroom Disruption Incident Report form, found at Incident Reports & Student Complaints webpage, to Student Life. This report will include the written statement submitted by the instructor that includes a description of the disruptive behavior, the date(s) which it occurred, and the interventions the instructor attempted. The School Dean will also include a description of the meeting held with the student and the instructor, to include date(s) which it occurred, the interventions/resolutions discussed, and any other pertinent information, in the incident report.

NOTE: If the student does not attend a scheduled meeting with the School Dean and instructor, the School Dean may reschedule the meeting. However, if the instructor and Department Chair believe, in their best professional judgment, that the student’s continued presence in the classroom causes significant disruption to the class that would substantially interfere with the normal operations of the class, they will submit a Classroom Disruption Incident Report form (found at www.sunywcc.edu/incidentreport) to Student Life.

Step 3: Referral to Student Life

Upon receipt of a Classroom Disruption Incident Report form Student Life will review the report and determine if there is an alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct. At the sole discretion of the Office of Student Life, the student can be referred through the college conduct process as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. This process can result in the student receiving college disciplinary sanctions, which can include removal from the class in addition to a formal warning, college probation, college suspension, or college expulsion.

Per the Student Code of Conduct, students causing significant and repeated disruption to a class that substantially interferes with the normal operations of the class may be subject to Interim Administrative Action. This may result in their immediate interim restriction from attending future sessions of that class until the college disciplinary process is completed. In order to impose an Administrative Action such as an immediate interim class restriction, the Classroom Disruption Incident Report must demonstrate the repeated and substantial interference with the normal operations of the class.

Available Campus Resources & Support

Instructors may reach out for support and assistance from one or more of the following when addressing disruptive classroom behavior:

  • School Dean. Before a formal mediation meeting, an instructor can reach out to their School Dean for guidance on additional classroom management strategies/techniques.
  • Academic Counseling. An Academic Counselor can ensure that the student is aware of in-class expectations as well possibly address other areas of academic concern (e.g., class preparedness, attendance, lateness, academic support services, etc.). Instructors may contact Academic Counseling at [email protected] or at 914-606-6572. However, the preferred method of contact is through the Referral Form for Struggling Students
  • Mental Health & Counseling Services. The Mental Health & Counseling Services (MHCS) Department can help address any mental health concerns an instructor may have about a student. Instructors should submit a Personal Counseling Referral Form online.
  • Accessibility Services. The Accessibility Services Office can address class accommodations and/or offer advice and guidance for the instructor about how to support a student with a disability if they are creating disruptions. Instructors may contact Accessibility Services at [email protected] or at 914-606-7893.
  • Student Life: The Office of Student Life can provide consultation if a student’s behavior may be appropriate for a formal referral for a Code of Conduct violation. Student Life can be reached at 914-606-7857 or at [email protected].

3.6 Classroom Recording

Unless otherwise specified as part of a disabilities accommodation*, students may not record, reproduce, screenshot, photograph, or distribute any video, audio, or visual content from their courses taught in any modality, including remote/online courses without the written permission of the instructor. This restriction includes but is not limited to:

  • Pre-recorded and live lectures
  • Live discussions
  • Discussion boards
  • Simulations
  • Posted course materials
  • Faculty feedback forms
  • Visual materials that accompany lectures/discussions, such as slides
  • Virtual whiteboard notes/equations, etc.

A student found to be in violation of this policy can be referred through the college conduct process for possible college sanctions (including warning, probation, suspension, or expulsion) as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

*Any case for class recordings that is deemed necessary under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA of 1990 needs to be properly documented and presented to the instructor prior to any recordings being made. Such requests for these accommodations must be made and approved through the college’s Disability Services Office. Additionally, any materials obtained through this accommodation must be limited to personal academic study and review use only and may not be distributed to any other persons without the instructor’s written consent.

Approved by SUNY WCC Cabinet March 29, 2021

3.7 Children in the Classroom

Unattended children of students and college employees are not permitted on College campus premises.

This policy is based on the following safety factors:

  1. The safety of the child is an important factor.
  2. The college could be held liable for any injuries occurring to children of students and employees.
  3. Children may produce a distraction to the professor in the delivery of instruction, and other professional duties.
  4. Children may be distracting to other students, and, thus interfere with their learning.
  5. The parent of the child in the classroom may be distracted by the presence of the child, thus affecting the learning of this parent.

3.8 Course Outline in the Learning Management System

All teaching faculty are required to post basic course and contact information to the College’s Learning Management System. This basic information shall include, at a minimum, the current course outline and the instructor’s contact information. Also, additional updates should be made via Brightspace.

3.9 Course Evaluation

All teaching faculty will be evaluated by students each semester solely for the purpose of improving instruction, and may not be referred to in any other context. Faculty have the option to add questions to their course evaluation(s). The evaluation will be conducted online and processed electronically by the vendor. Faculty and School Deans will directly access the analysis of survey results online. The school deans and department chairs will have the right to review evaluations.

Full-Time Faculty and Senior Adjuncts (who have taught 20+ semesters)
Full-time faculty and senior adjuncts can select which course or courses are to be evaluated.

Adjunct Faculty (who have taught 20 semesters or less)
All courses taught by adjunct faculty are automatically evaluated.

3.10 Prohibiting Faculty Relatives in Class

Because of the potential for a conflict of interest, or, at least, for the appearance of a conflict, Westchester Community College prohibits faculty members from having relatives* in their own grade- bearing courses.

An exception can be made if the faculty member is the only person teaching a course that is required for the relative’s major. In that case, the faculty member should disclose the situation to his or her Department Chairperson and to the class.

In a case in which a faculty member is uncertain of the appropriateness of having a relative in the class, he or she should first discuss it with the Department Chairperson.

*Relative is defined as anyone related to the faculty member by blood, marriage or law as follows: parent, spouse, child, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, cousin, father/mother- in-law, brother/sister-in-law, son/daughter-in-law, stepparent, stepchild and legal guardian.

3.11 Observance of Religious Holidays (Faculty)

Although Westchester Community College has classes scheduled on most religious holidays, faculty and students have every right to observe these holidays. If the observance of these holidays prevents an instructor from meeting a class(es), students should be advised of the method that will be used to make up the missed class. Forms for requesting a personal day(s) for religious reasons are in the School Deans’ Offices. Instructors may wish to have a voluntary substitution by another faculty member selected with the approval of the Department Chair. This must also be approved by the School Dean.

If the instructor is not observing the religious holiday but some students in his/her class are, these students MUST NOT BE PENALIZED for their failure to attend class on that day.

DO NOT schedule examinations on religious holidays. Assist students who observe the holiday to make up the missed work. New York State Law gives students observing holidays the right to be absent from class on these days.

As long as the student has notified the instructor of his/her religious reason for missing a class, and has completed the designated assignment or task for making up the material, the absence should not be counted as a cut.

3.12 Textbooks

In this knowledge-driven economy, the college needs to integrate information and communication technologies (ICT) to better serve and prepare students for the future. To sustain the college mission and uphold academic freedom, the purpose of this policy is to set forth the college’s various options concerning the access, delivery and usage of textbooks and course materials; however, adoption of textbooks is most appropriately determined by the instructor/department for a particular course. Still, faculty are encouraged to consider the following options (in order of priority) when choosing textbooks for their classes:

  1. Open educational resources such as textbooks and course materials
  2. Textbooks, both digital and printed, temporarily accessed/rented at reasonable cost
  3. Traditional used textbooks for purchase
  4. Traditional new textbooks for purchase; and as the last resort
  5. Textbooks, which are adopted by the department/curriculum, shall be strongly encouraged to be used by all faculty teaching that course.