Know your rights: UWSA
By Tiffany Gooch
President of the UWSA
October 15, 2008
The strike has impacted every student by altering each syllabus in various ways. If there was ever a time that it was imperative for students to know their rights, this is it. Without a full knowledge of the senate bylaws, violations could slip right under the radar and students will bear the brunt of this.
Your professor should have consulted with you before making changes to the syllabus. The key to a successful semester is to communicate with your professor. There are many options they can take advantage of to help make this a smooth transition for students but it is also your responsibility to discuss those with them. One issue of contention is that the new exam schedule allows 7 a.m. exams. If your exam is designed to take 2 hours to write, the professor could allow for students to write it at 8 a.m. instead.
No assignments, tests, quizzes, mid-terms, or any such evaluative materials which were due during the strike should have been collected or marked. In the case that your professor did collect/mark such things, please inform the department head; Mohsin Khan at vpuauwsa@uwindsor.ca; or the academic advocate at advocate@uwindsor.ca. Also, it is your right to re-submit those assignments, and papers.
There should be no mid terms during the first two weeks back. You should NOT be tested on any material that you were never taught due to the strike.
Midterms and finals will not be over 50 per cent of your final mark. If your professor does give you a final/midterm over 50 per cent please contact your department head or Mohsin Khan at vpuauwsa@uwindsor.ca.
The rights of students are enshrined in the University Bylaws. You don’t need to know them by heart, but you should at least know the basics … you never know when they may come in handy. The pertinent bylaws are:
Bylaw 31 – Student Affairs and Bylaw 51 – Academic Evaluation Procedures. You have the right to: Appeal your grade/Requirement to Withdrawal.
View your final exam up to 6 months after the course. Have your course syllabus by the end of the second week of class. Including: How your final grade is calculated; including curving procedures.
The approximate dates for tests, assignments, etc. except ‘pop’ quizzes. Grading for Participation; it cannot be worth more than 20 per cent of your final grade.
Be a full voting member on your faculty council.
Freedom of Discussion: speak freely in class on the discussion topic.
Right of Assembly: the right to public assembly and the open expression of ideas and opinions carrying with it the responsibility to observe the law and not interfere with the rights and privileges of others or the continuity of the educational process.
Have your final week of class free from any testing that is not part of a series.
Your instructor must: Be available for consultation outside of regular class. Respect students as individuals. Evaluate students' academic performance objectively and fairly.
Keep all academic records and supporting files confidential. Make arrangements for tests scheduled outside the regular class time for students who have valid time conflicts.
Keep the date of the final exam as announced by the Registrar. Inform students of make-up exam privileges.
Post unofficial grades by student number only. Never leave tests, assignments, etc. in a public place.
You need to know: Pop quizzes cannot be worth more than two per cent each, totally no more than five per cent of your final grade.
There are four reasons to appeal your grade. They are:
Merit of Work – The mark you were assigned does not reflect your effort. Your assignment/exam/midterm/test will be re-graded by other members of the faculty to which you are appealing. This also means that if the group feels you deserved a lower mark, you will be re-assigned that lower mark.
Procedural Irregularity – The course was not administered properly. For example, you were not given a course outline until four weeks into the class.
Medical/Compassionate – You were ill, a family member passed away, had personal problems etc. This appeal should be accompanied with ANY paper trails (like a doctor’s notes) as well as a letter explaining what you are appealing, why you are appealing and what you would like to see happen from the appeal.
Discrimination – If you feel your grade was based on grounds other than merit of your work, you may decide to appeal. However, claims of discrimination are serious in nature and you should contact the Human Rights Office (ext.3400) prior to launching an appeal of this nature.
For more information, questions, or concerns, contact: Reshma Kishnani, Academic Advocate, advocate@uwindsor.ca (519) 253–3000 Ext. 3502.
Don’t stay quiet about these issues, speak up and make your voice heard.
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