Student FAQ
The GSLIS web site is the best source for general GSLIS policies, forms, course schedules, and so on.
The questions
- How do I get in touch with you?
- When may I see you?
- May I have a copy of the course outline?
- Is your syllabus like a contract between you and me?
- I don’t have the prerequisites (or I am taking the prerequisite course simultaneously) – will you let me in?
- I am wait-listed – will you let me in?
- May I audit the class unofficially?
- Will there be a lot of computer use in the course?
- What is eLearning, or, Does this course use eLearning?
- How much time will the course take outside of class?
- What books should I buy?
- I have to miss a class – what should I do?
- May I tape your lectures?
- What is your grading system?
- May I turn an assignment in late?
- What happens if I don’t do all the assignments?
- What style manual and format do you like for assignments?
- May I e-mail assignments to you?
- How do I get my papers back?
- How do I get my final grade, or, an official notice about my final grade, so I can get my tuition reimbursement?
- May I have an extension to complete the course?
- Will you write me a letter of reference?
- Does Simmons have an honour code?
- I have a physical or cognitive challenge – what should I do?
The answers
- How do I get in touch with you?
- The best thing to do is to e-mail me at candy.schwartz@simmons.edu. Please use your Simmons e-mail – I get too much spam to spot your message if it is not from your simmons.edu address. My office phone number is 617-521-2849, and you can leave voice mail there if I am not in. My office is P-310C – turn left when you come through the glass doors to P-310. I try not to work at home, so do not expect me to answer e-mail messages between Friday afternoon and Monday morning. I can occasionally be found via Twitter (candyschwartz), Facebook, FriendFeed (candyschwartz), AIM (candysschwartz), or Skype (candyschwartz). You can subscribe to the course news page.
- When may I see you?
- Anytime you can find me. Usually between 7 AM and 5 PM on weekdays, and occasionally on Saturdays. Don’t worry about whether it’s my “office hours” or not – if my door is open, just drop in.
- May I have a copy of the course outline?
- See appropriate pages in this section of Candy@
- Is your syllabus like a contract between you and me?
- No. The syllabus is not a contract. I reserve the right to alter the course requirements and/or assignments based on new materials, class discussions, or to meet specific pedagogical objectives.
- I don’t have the prerequisites (or I am taking a prerequisite course simultaneously) – will you let me in?
- You must have fulfilled prerequisites prior to the first class meeting, or you must have “permission of instructor”. In all other cases I reserve the right to ask you to drop the class.
- I am wait-listed – will you let me in?
- No. But someone may withdraw after the first class, so do please come to the first class in case you make it in.
- May I audit the class unofficially?
- Sorry, no. You may not attend classes unless you are registered for the course. We do have an official “audit”, for alumni/ae, for less than the normal cost of the course and for no credit. Students about to graduate may also register for an “extra course” at a reduced cost.
- Will there be a lot of computer use in the course?
- I expect new and returning students to have mastered the concepts presented in the Technology Orientation and in any course prerequisites.
- What is eLearning, or, Does this course use eLearning?
- ELearning is how Simmons refers to the use of courseware. All of my courses have an e-learning component of one kind or another. When we are using the Simmons official eLearning system, you can log in here. For Moodle go here. Use the same username and password as you do for logging in to Webmail. ELearning requires that you allow cookies and popups (both of which you can restrict to this site only), and uses Java applets, so when you get to the Login screen, do run the browser check first (it’s on the right of the Login box). If some of the features in the results have red x’es, then you can either fix the issue yourself, or call the Helpdesk.
- For any assignment file you turn in, whether through an eLearning system or by e-mail: When you name your files, could you please follow the pattern of (all lowercase): asst[number]-[surname].doc (or .rtf, .pdf. etc.). For example, if I were turning in Assignment 3, it would be asst3-schwartz.doc. If your assignment consists of more than one file, make a letter for the last element before the extension (e.g., asst3-schwartz-a.doc, asst3-schwartz-b.doc, and so on). Don’t put in spaces, don’t put in periods other than before the extension, don’t use brackets or underbars, and make sure that the extension is present. (Using spaces or extraneous dots in filenames is a bad habit all around, not just for me, but for many other cases where you are sharing files.) By default, Windows “shields” you from seeing file extensions. As a Windows-using information professional, you should set folder options so that you see the entire filename. To change the default, choose Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Folder Options -> View, and then uncheck “Hide extensions for known file types”.
- On the use of dropboxes: If you mess up and you need to reload an assignment, you will need to e-mail me and I will need to take several steps. So please make sure you have done all of your proofreading and spellchecking before you submit. Also, submit all of your files at once if you have a multi-file assignment.
- Using e-mail from within eLearning: Don’t. The message will only get to the receiver if the receiver has bothered to forward mail, and one cannot use the “Reply” to a message because it comes from eLearning, and not from the sender.
- How much time will the course take outside of class?
- Lots. I usually estimate 10-15 hours outside of class per week, although it varies from course to course and week to week.
- What books should I buy?
- Don’t buy books until after the first class. Try to find books second-hand from students who have taken the course. Consider amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, or interlibrary loan. Texts are listed in the course Web pages, and are on reserve, usually in multiple copies.
- I have to miss a class – what should I do?
- First class: Leave me voice mail or e-mail (see above). As soon as possible, get first day materials, and retrieve, fill out, and send the information sheet. It would be nice if you could get someone’s notes.
- Not the first class: Attendance is only required for the first two class meetings. After that, if you cannot be present, do not bother to tell me. Call a fellow student and arrange to have assignments handed in and notes and handouts collected for you (don’t ask me to do it).
- May I tape your lectures?
- Sure, but I won’t wear a microphone.
- What is your grading system?
- A: Superior performance in all aspects of the work; exhibits mastery of the subject matter as well as qualities such as analytical ability, originality, creativity, and interpretation; a great job, well presented.
- A-: Extra effort was apparent; excellent performance; superior achievement in most aspects of the work.
- B+: Strong, solid performance; above basic course requirements.
- B: Good work; generally meets basic requirements, but with some problems.
- B- and lower: Does not attain acceptable levels in significant aspects of the assignment/course; sins of omission or commission.
- A/A-, A-/B+, B+/B, etc.: Borderline grades
- May I turn an assignment in late?
- Late assignments will receive a lower grade than they would have otherwise, and the later they are handed in the lower the grade. I set a deadline in the elearning system, and after that things are noted as being late. Tell me that an assignment is going to be late, but you do not need to explain to me why, just get it in as soon as possible. When someone asks if they can hand something in late, I usually say okay. That means that I will accept it, but it still counts as late.
- What happens if I don’t do all the assignments?
- All assignments and projects are required for completion of a course. At some point I will start sending you notes so that you and I both know that you have been warned about what is missing. I will keep a record of these notes.
- What style manual and format do you require for assignments?
- References and in-text citations: I prefer the APA style, for which Russ Dewey has prepared a handy-dandy crib sheet which should serve most of your needs. Whatever style manual you choose, use it – do not be inconsistent. I have bookmarked some resources in delicious on writing and style.
- You do not have to use APA for layout and organization, but essays should have titles, headings, subheadings, introductions, conclusions, and other devices reflecting organized thought, and I prefer single-spaced typing. Careful proofreading for both grammar and spelling is suggested – presentation counts. Learn to capture screens and incorporate them into papers.
- Please submit any documents which might be commented on by me in either .doc or .rtf – it makes it easier for me to comment and correct. Sometimes I will specifically request an assignment in another format.
- On the subject of cutting and pasting – I can tell when your words are not yours, but something from some article you found online. And it’s oh so easy to go to a search engine or aggregator and search for the words and phrases and find the original. So if you use other people’s words, put them in quotes and attribute them (see the honour code info below) – doing otherwise can be grounds for dismissal from GSLIS. Ditto (without the quotes) if you use other people’s ideas.
- Do not put hard copy assignments in binders, folders, plastic sleeves, envelopes, etc. (final projects can go in binders if appropriate).
- A group paper or project is treated as one coherent whole, not individual contributions.
- May I e-mail assignments to you?
- You may attach assignments to e-mail only if I specifically ask for them that way, or if you can’t turn them in in the requested manner.
- How do I get my papers back?
- E-assignments will be returned in some e-way.
- Printed papers and projects will be returned to your mail folder, unless they do not fit. If a binder is a reason for not fitting, I will return the contents and keep the binder. At the end of semester, binders, and anything else that doesn’t fit in your mail folder, will be left on top of or beside the filing cabinet in the student lounge. If they are still there at the start of a new semester they will be disposed of. If you want papers mailed to you, turn in a suitable self-addressed envelope.
- How do I get my final grade, or, an official notice about my final grade, so I can get my tuition reimbursement?
- Your final course grade will be on whatever assignment or project is returned to you last. If you need an official grade notice to use for reimbursement, let me know in writing, with a self-addressed envelope.
- May I have an extension to complete the course?
- My grades are usually due within a day or two after the last class. There is no such thing as an extension. Incompletes are only granted for medical emergencies and disasters of a similar nature. This is school policy, and I may not violate it. You may withdraw from a class up until the last meeting.
- Will you write me a letter of reference?
- If you would like me to act as a reference for you, I will need the following: a reference form from the Career Education Center (don’t forget to sign the form), your up to date résumé, a list of the courses you took at Simmons (and which ones in what semesters were with me), and a brief statement of career objectives. I prefer not to do telephone references.
- Does Simmons have an honour code?
- Simmons College expects each of its students to uphold the Honor Code. Major violations are cheating and plagiarism. Cheating includes copying others’ works, collaborating without authorization, and accessing others’ computer files without authorization. Plagiarism includes intentionally or unintentionally using someone else’s words, works, thoughts, or expression of ideas without giving proper credit (also see the cutting and pasting note under the style manual discussion above). Unauthorized copying of print or non-print materials (including machine-readable data) is a violation of the laws governing intellectual property. Deliberately altering configuration files, batch files, and other installed software on computers in the Tech Lab is unprofessional and inconsiderate.
- I have a physical or cognitive challenge – what should I do?
- Special needs can include, but are not limited to, factors influencing the learning process in and out of the classroom, such as mobility, physical, learning, and cognitive challenges. Students with special needs are invited to contact the Center for Academic Achievement (617-521-2471) so that accommodations can be provided. Faculty cannot provide accommodation without correspondence from the Center. The Center maintains strict confidentiality. The Center also has writing tutors.
