College of Arts and Sciences Revises Expectations for Students, Faculty

Sept. 8, 2005 -- Guidelines to promote a stronger teaching and learning environment are outlined in a revised document for students and faculty in the University of Wyoming College of Arts and Sciences.

New technologies were the driving forces behind the revision of a 10-year-old document detailing the college’s student-teacher classroom relationships.

"Ten years ago a committee of faculty and students in the College of Arts and Sciences developed a set of faculty and student expectations to promote a productive and meaningful teaching and learning environment," says Oliver Walter, College of Arts and Sciences dean. "Technology advances of the past decade have added new dimensions to the student-teacher relationship and it was time to update the expectations."

A committee of students and teachers revised the "Students and Teachers Working Together" document that guides policies on course syllabi, course preparation, studying, grading, class attendance and classroom behavior, student access to teachers, academic honesty and advising preparation. The revised document emphasizes the need for teachers to establish the appropriate use of the technologies in the classroom and a protocol for using e-mail as a communication tool between students and teachers.

"Cell phones, text messaging and e-mail have become so common that the most significant new additions include the use and limitations of new technologies," Walter says.

Advances in using the Web for advising and registering for classes prompted the update of adviser-student expectations.

"Students and advisers have much more online access to academic information that enhances the discussions regarding students’ progress toward degree completion," Walter says.

Michael Sommer, a lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, and Jody Sanborn, a psychology student from Glendo, led the revision committee. Other members were Susanna Goodin, associate professor of philosophy; Amanda Rees, former geography and recreation lecturer; Leigh Selting, professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance; Cheryl Wells, assistant professor of history; Jason Boat, theatre and dance student from Laramie; Amy Goodson, criminal justice student from Sundance; Rita Hernandez, political science student from Granby, Colo.; and Will O’Connor, sociology student from Victor, Idaho.

"Students and Teachers Working Together" is available online at www.uwyo.edu/a&s/current.

Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005