eInside Briefs
News Briefs
- Change in Course Add Policy Beginning With Spring 2016 Semester Registration
- Kent State University Press Turns 50
- International Friendship Program Seeks Faculty and Staff Participants
- Important Information Regarding Final Grading of Fall 2015 Second 5 Weeks (F2) Classes
Change in Course Add Policy Beginning With Spring 2016 Semester Registration
A student pays attention in class during a lecture.
Beginning with spring 2016 registration, Kent State
University will institute a new policy that only allows
students to self-add into classes during the first week
of classes.
Kent State students now have only the first week of semester to self-add into classes
Beginning with spring 2016 registration, Kent State University will institute a new policy that only allows students to self-add into classes during the first week of classes (or the prorated equivalent for summer or flexibly scheduled classes). This means that students will now only be able to add a class or change sections without faculty approval during the first week of classes.
Previously, students had two weeks at the beginning of the semester to self-add into classes. Now they will only have one week. Beginning spring 2016, the last day to self-add or change a section is the last day of the first week of classes.
This change in policy follows institutional research that indicates that students who add courses during the second week tend to perform poorly in these classes.
“We want our students to be successful, and adding into courses during the second week of the semester has proven to hinder student success,” says Melody Tankersley, Kent State’s senior associate provost. “Our response, then, is to not allow students to self-add into courses during the second week of the semester. We want students to register right — by selecting the correct courses and sections —before classes begin. We want students sitting in the right class from day one. But if they need to add another class or switch sections, students can only self-add during that first week so that they do not get behind.”
“Register Right” messages communicating this new policy will be shared with students. Faculty members and student advisors are encouraged to advise their students as well to “Register Right.”
For more information, contact Tankersley at mtankers@kent.edu.
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Kent State University Press Turns 50
Will Underwood, director of the Kent State University
Press, speaks at a reception to commemorate the 50th
anniversary of the Kent State University Press.
(Photo credit: Malanie Nesteruk)
The Kent State University Press celebrates five decades of award-winning publishing this year.
Since its formal establishment in 1965, the press has sought “to advance knowledge through publishing.” It specializes in general interest and scholarly books in the humanities, including American history, Great Lakes Region culture, true crime and literary studies, says William Underwood, director of the Kent State University Press.
The Kent State University Press’ first publication was Renaissance Humanism, 1300-1550 by Frederick B. Artz.
In 1970, the Kent State University Press became a full member of the Association of American University Presses (AAUP). Today, it annually publishes two journals and 35 new book volumes that are available worldwide in a variety of languages in both print and electronic editions.
The press has earned several distinguished awards over the last 50 years, including the Costume Society of America’s Millia Davenport Award for Wearable Prints, 1760-1860: History, Materials, and Mechanics by Susan Greene and the Carter G. Woodson Award for Growing Season: The Life of a Migrant Community by Gary Harwood and David Hassler.
The Independent Publisher (IPPY) Awards also has recognized the Kent State University Press with several awards, including a gold medal for Born to Lose: Stanley B. Hoss and the Crime Spree That Gripped a Nation by Jim Hollock.
“We’re living in an age where 140 characters constitute serious communication,” notes Underwood. “That’s kind of the opposite of what we do. We publish communication that’s long-form argument, which is carefully researched, sometimes over years or decades, and thoroughly documented. I think that still has value, perhaps now more than ever. It’s an essential part of the academic enterprise.”
To commemorate the milestone, the press hosted a reception in the Moulton Hall Ballroom on Sept. 25 from 6:30-9 p.m. Current and former press staff members, authors, publishing partners and supporters, as well as their friends and families, gathered to celebrate over refreshments and hors d’oeuvres. Kent State President Beverly Warren addressed the assembly in honor of the occasion.
Peter Berkery, executive director of the AAUP, was the event’s keynote speaker. Press directors from two other public universities in Ohio also were present.
Underwood says he is looking forward to the continued prosperity of the press, its talented authors and staff.
For more information about the Kent State University Press, visit www.kentstateuniversitypress.com.
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International Friendship Program Seeks Faculty and Staff Participants
Kent State University President Beverly Warren poses
with a group of international students during a 4th of July
picnic held near Tri-Towers.
Kent State University’s Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Global Education are seeking individuals and families interested in participating in the International Friendship Program. This program pairs a Kent State faculty or staff member and their families with a Kent State international student. Individual faculty and staff members also are welcome to join the program. The purpose is to build relationships and immerse in cultural exchange.
“We are looking for faculty or staff members who have the desire to learn about a new culture and provide a welcoming environment for a Kent State international student,” says Eron Memaj, international student affairs director in the Division of Student Affairs. “This is not a home-stay program. Rather, in this program you and the student would decide when to meet.
“One example could be inviting your matched student to occasional dinners, holiday celebrations or any other events that would enhance the student’s experience and comprehension of U.S. culture,” Memaj adds. “This relationship would continue for the rest of the academic year.”
Kent State faculty and staff, as well as their families, will have the opportunity to learn about a new culture from the international student and develop an international friendship.
“With Thanksgiving around the corner, it would be nice if we could open our hearts and homes to an international student for a warm meal and the opportunity to experience an American tradition with a family,” Memaj says.
If you would like participate in the International Friendship program, please complete an application at www.kent.edu/globaleducation/InternationalFriendship.
If you have questions or need more information about the program, contact Memaj at ememaj@kent.edu.
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Important Information Regarding Final Grading of Fall 2015 Second 5 Weeks (F2) Classes
Online final grading for fall 2015 Second 5 Weeks (F2) courses meeting from Oct. 5 through Nov. 8, 2015, begins Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, via FlashFAST. Grading is also now available for any fall 2015 course section that was flexibly scheduled and has an end date no later than Nov. 8, 2015. The deadline for grading submission is midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015. Any final grades for fall 2015 Second 5 Weeks (F2) courses not reported in FlashFAST by the grades processing deadline will have to be submitted using the Grade Change Workflow. These fall 2015 Second 5 Weeks (F2) courses will be available in the Workflow on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015.
Incomplete Mark and NF/SF Grades
The administrative mark of IN (Incomplete) may be given to students who are unable to complete the work due to extenuating circumstances. To be eligible, undergraduate students must be currently earning a D or better grade and are unable to complete the required work between the course withdrawal deadline and the end of classes. Graduate students must be currently earning a C or better grade and are unable to complete the required work between the course withdrawal deadline and the end of classes. Instructors are required to complete and submit an Incomplete Mark Form to the department chair when an incomplete mark is assigned. Access the form from your Faculty Toolbox in FlashLine.
The grade SF (Stopped Attending-Fail) denotes that the student stopped attending the course and did not formally withdraw and must be accompanied by a date of last attendance in the course.
The grade NF (Never Attended-Fail) denotes that the student neither attended one class session nor formally withdrew from the course.
For complete information on university grading policies including Incomplete Mark and NF/SF grading policies, procedures and timelines, please visit the Grading Policies and Procedures section in the university catalog at www.kent.edu/catalog.
Grades Processing Tips and FAQ may be found on the Office of the University Registrar's website at www.kent.edu/registrar/faculty-grades-processing. Any faculty member needing personalized instruction on submitting their grades via FlashFAST should contact their campus Registrar's Office during normal business hours for assistance.
To access FlashFAST to post your final grades, log in to FlashLine from www.kent.edu (click FlashLine Log in from top right menu bar) then click the Faculty & Advisor Tools tab. Locate the Faculty Toolbox, and select Final under the Submit Grades heading.
Troubleshooting TIP: FlashFAST is accessible from any Internet-capable computer that has the cookies function enabled. We recommend that you clean out your cookie and cache files regularly to help your computer run faster, and to potentially restore and/or improve your access to FlashFAST and/or FlashLine by improving your connection to the server. Our Helpdesk is prepared to offer assistance with these issues. Please contact them at 330-672-HELP (4357) for one-on-one assistance and technical issues.
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