Course Processes and Procedures

The course syllabus

Faculty provide a syllabus for each course during the first class session. The syllabus contains essential information about the course and relevant department policies. Departments maintain for at least two years a file of current syllabi for all classes.

Suggestions for an effective course syllabus (endorsed by the QC Academic Senate)
What’s in a syllabus (from the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership)
Textbook Requirements (Higher Education Opportunity Act)
Procedures for Material and Transportation fees

Office hours

Full-time faculty: Office hours must be scheduled and maintained by all full-time faculty regularly during the semester. A minimum of an hour a week is required. Additional office hours may be scheduled by appointment.

Adjunct faculty: Adjunct faculty who are paid the seventh professional hour must maintain some office hours, as indicated in this memorandum from the CUNY University Registrar, August 20, 2014.

Credit hours

New York State Education Department definition of a semester hour (at least 15 hours of instruction and at least 30 hours of supplementary assignments)
CUNY Board of Trustees adoption of the NYS Education Department semester hour definition (no. 6, item A, p. 3)
Credit-Hour guidelines (from the CUNY Registrar)
Credit hour requirements also apply during intersession and summer session

Missed Classes
All planned absences for legitimate professional or personal reasons must be approved in advance by the department chairperson or program director. In such cases, the instructor is responsible for arranging for a makeup class or alternative instructional activities. When an illness or unforeseen emergency results in the cancellation of a class, the instructor should notify the chairperson as soon as possible and arrange for notices to be posted informing students of the cancellation. In the event of an extended absence of the instructor, the chairperson is responsible for arranging for continuing instruction in the course.

Final examinations
Final examinations and records of midterm grades and other course work for all students must be kept on file in the department office; see guidelines on retention of selected academic records.

Guidelines regarding final examinations
CUNY Testing Policies and Procedures
CUNY Testing policy for students with disabilities
Queens College policy on examinations and religious observances

Grading
Final grades are submitted to the Registrar within two weeks of the last day of final examinations in the Fall semester, and within one week of the last day of final examinations in the Spring semester.

Queens College policies on:
CUNY Uniform Grade Symbols: Glossary and Guidelines
CUNY memo providing clarification on WN, WU, F, and INC grades (December 2016)
Grade appeals: Undergraduate Scholastic Standards Committee
CUNY policy on retention of academic records

Other policies

Non-discrimination of students on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions
Religious Accommodation of Students – Memo from General Council
Student Privacy: Guide to FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Information for Students

e-Permit: Policies in effect as of December 2013
Faculty conduct: CUNY procedures for handling student complaints about faculty conduct in academic settings
Grade appeals: Undergraduate Scholastic Standards Committee
International students with full-time enrollment: CUNY guidance on compliance with federal immigration regulations for international students regarding full-time enrollment status
Privacy: Guide to FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Transfer: Board of Trustees resolution on articulation and transfer