Exceptions

This page previously provided the path to exceptions from strict policies. In light of the current pandemic, those policies have been amended or abolished. If you enroll in one of my courses, we are going to do our best to find a way for you to pass this class.

Borrowing from professor Brandon Bayne, we prioritize: "simple solutions" and "communicating clearly" and most of all, "supporting each other as humans."

Finally, I also like this quote from professor Steven D. Krause. Though written back in the spring, it remains true now: "So it became clear my teaching was also entering emergency lifeboat mode. I’ve extended deadlines as long as I possibly can and abandoned big chunks of the assignments due at the end of the term. I’ve given up on any sort of deduction for being late in posting things, and I have told students repeatedly that as long as they stay in touch with me and as long as they give it all a try, they will all at least pass the class. Because look, even my hard-[blank] aloof professor persona believes no one should fail a class because of a [blank] pandemic."

Old policy:

Most college students lead very busy lives that include other courses, extracurricular activities, jobs, and various personal obligations. When a student deserves “a break,” I will try to act as fairly and flexibly as possible. However, ALL EXCEPTIONS TO THE GUIDELINES DEFINED IN THE POLICY STATEMENT MUST BE CLEARLY NEGOTIATED. If a student fails to meet a requirement of this course and wishes to remain a member of our learning community, s/he must propose a solution to resolve the problem. I reserve the right to adhere strictly to the syllabus. Failure to comply with the course requirements equals failure in the course.