In the interest of promoting an optimal learning environment, the St. Thomas University Senate has adopted this statement of the mutual academic expectations of students and instructors. The statement articulates what we agree to be the essential elements of a strong academic culture. It thereby provides both instructors and students with an ideal of what each should be able to expect from the other in their shared quest for a successful educational experience. This document is intended to serve as a statement of principles only. For specific regulations, consult Section Four of the Calendar.

Professionalism

In a sound academic culture, both instructors and students approach their roles in a professional manner. They are familiar with and respect the policies and regulations of their courses and of the university as a whole, and strive to uphold the ideals of the Mission Statement and to realize the Goals of a Liberal Education.

Instructors are both academically competent and reasonably current in their subject matter, and are committed to applying themselves to their teaching tasks to the best of their ability.

Students show the same commitment and responsibility to their studies as they would to their employment. The normal expectation is that students do at least two hours of work outside the classroom for each hour of class time. Students are committed to applying themselves to their learning tasks to the best of their ability.

Assignments and Evaluation

As professionals both instructors and students take seriously their mutual responsibilities regarding assignments and evaluation.

Instructors ensure that the value of each assignment, test, or examination is clearly established in the course outline and do not alter those values without the consent of the class. They strive to ensure that they grade students in accordance with clearly stated criteria and in accordance with prevailing standards. They return student work in a timely fashion and provide adequate comments to enable students to understand the reason for the grade. Finally, instructors show flexibility in the application of deadlines when students have legitimate reasons for special consideration.

Students accept the primacy of scheduled test or examination over travel plans or work schedules. They respect deadlines for submission of assignments, keep backup copies, and take care to deliver assignments only to appropriate places. Students make use of the instructor's comments in order to improve their performance in the future.

Conduct in the Classroom

St. Thomas University is dedicated to free and reasoned discussion, to critical debate, and to the exploration of diverse and competing ideas.

Students can expect to be encouraged to participate actively in classes, to enter into intellectual debate, and to have their contributions treated respectfully by their instructors. Instructors can expect students to attend class regularly and to come prepared to contribute effectively to the work of the class.

Students can expect their instructors to terminate verbal and other behaviour in the classroom that is not respectful of others. Instructors can expect students to cooperate in the maintenance of a climate that is free from personal intimidation, insult, and harassment.