Final Papers:
1. Do not put extensive comments on all of your students' final papers. Announce to students (and put on the final assignment/take home exam sheet) that you will only give extensive comments to those who indicate on their final paper that they want them. Many students do not come and collect their final paper. There is no need to waste your time with extensive comments and corrections on papers that will never be seen.
However, it is wise to make some type of brief notation on the papers you are not commenting on extensively. These notations can jog your memory in case of a student contesting their grade at a later date.
2. Hold firm to the deadline for final papers/take home exams. Students tend to take as much time as you give them. If they know you are firm in your deadlines, they will turn in their work in a timely manner or take the consequences. Consequences can be dropping the original grade a full letter for each day late; i.e. an "A" paper would become a "B" paper if it is a day late. It is better not to refuse late papers altogether.
3. When giving the due date for final papers/take home exams, consider the number of students and amount of grading you must complete before grades are due. Give yourself adequate time to grade. Having the due date early in final exam week should give you adequate time for grading.
4. Be frugal in giving Incompletes and use the Incomplete Form. See the Incomplete Policy which states the extenuating circumstances underwhich a student may receive an Incomplete grade. You may request an original (not xeroxes) note signed by a doctor for a medical excuse, plane tickets to verify leaving for an out-of-town emergency etc.
The Incomplete policy should be filled out in detail as to what work the student needs to complete and by what date. For example, rather than stating "must submit final paper to complete course" it is better to include details such as "student must submit 15 page paper with citations and bibliography on (insert topic or subject) due on (specific date)". Students have one year before the Incomplete turns into an "F". Too frequently, the student will resurface after the year is over in search of the instructor to remove the "F" from his/her transcript. It is to everyone's benefit to get the student to complete the course as soon as possible. The university administrators have become quite strict on the one year time line to clear up an Incomplete.
Final Exams
1. Announce the date, time, and location of your final exam more than once in class. Exams are usually NOT in the same classroom you have been using and usually not the same time or even day.
2. Bring enough blue (exam) books. There are 50 blue books to a package. Rule of thumb: bring enough for 2 blue books per student so you won't run out.
Grading
1. Log on to your grading rosters before classes end to make sure you have access and there are no glitches in the system.
2. Students who chose the P/F option CANNOT get a letter grade, even if it would have been an "A". Anything D- or above is a Pass.
3. Call the Registrar at 617-287-6200 with any questions regarding the online grading.