TO:  All Instructors, English Division                                                          

C- GRADE:

Henry Ford Community College does not factor in + or - grades in the G.P.A. (For example, the grades of B+, B, B- are all factored as 3.0 G.P.A.'s) However, when students transfer to another institution, such as Michigan State University, the + or - is factored into their G.P.A.  The only time this is critical is the C- grade, since this mark is considered a failing grade. Students then must repeat this course at their new school.

CLASS SIZE:

I again wish to remind you of the English Division's policy that limits class size.  As some of you know from experience, when classes are filled students often appeal to an instructor to write a note permitting them to enter a class even though its maximum capacity has been reached.  These students then appear at my office requesting an approval for section overload.    UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD STUDENTS BE PERMITTED TO SIT IN A CLASS UNLESS THEIR NAMES APPEAR ON YOUR CLASS LIST OR THEY CAN PRODUCE EVIDENCE THAT THEY HAVE PAID TUITION FOR THE CLASS.

 

SCREENING OF CLASSES:

Instructors teaching English 081, 092, 093,  131, 132, and 135 classes should screen their classes carefully the first days of the semester to be sure students have the prerequisites for the class.  Screening lists will be distributed to instructors on the first or second day of class.  Those students who do not have the prerequisites should be advised to report to the registration area to enroll in another English class.

ENGLISH 079 AND 088 STUDENTS:

Students who score below 32 on the ASSET Writing Skills Test or 23 on the COMPASS Writing Skills Tests must enroll in English 088.  Those who score below 33 on the ASSET Reading Test or 51 on the COMPASS Reading Skills Test  must enroll in English 079.  See the attached sheet for placement information.

ENGLISH 093 STUDENTS:

Students currently enrolled in English 093 who have not scored at least 43 on the ASSET Reading Test or 84 on the COMPASS Reading Skills Test  must be concurrently enrolled in English 081, or they must have received a satisfactory grade in that class.  If a student does not know his or her test score and wishes to do so, he or she may check with counseling.

ENGLISH 131-132 STUDENTS:

 1.        Students currently enrolled in English 131 should have scored at least 44 on the ASSET Writing Skills Test.  Students who completed English 093 with an S (satisfactory) are also eligible for English 131. The ACT test is not required for admission to Henry Ford Community College.  However, if the student received a score of 21 or higher on BOTH the English and mathematics sections of the ACT, they are exempt from Course Placement testing.  Also,  students who were required to take English 081 must also have passed that course with an S (satisfactory) in order to take English 131. 

 2.        Students currently in English 132 or 135 should have passed English 131 or a college composition course equivalent to it with a grade of C- or better.  Students who received D's in a first semester composition class are not eligible for English 132 or 135.

SUPPLIES:

Please contact the secretary for any supplies.  Supplies are for instructor use only.  Please do not supply your students with materials from the Division. Desk copies of texts are available from the secretary or the textbook representative. (See secretary if you do not have the book representative�s phone number.)  

TESTING MATERIALS:

Diagnostic tests and scantrons are located on the shelves across from the mailboxes.   Return these materials to the shelves when you have finished testing.  (PLEASE BE SURE TO INFORM STUDENTS TO BRING THEIR OWN #2 PENCILS.)  Put the completed answer sheets for 093 and 131 sections in Elaine McKeand�s mailbox.  She will return them to you as soon as they are corrected.

SOME ADDITIONAL POINTS TO REVIEW:

 1.        It has become common practice in our area for one instructor to leave a classroom in good order for the next instructor and his or her students.  This practice includes an erased blackboard.  We have appreciated this kind of courtesy and hope it will continue.

 2.        Keeping classes, or parts of classes, beyond the established class termination time can inconvenience the students and instructors who use the room next.

 3.        It should not be necessary to raise or lower the blinds in the classrooms located in the Liberal Arts Building.  The external light in these rooms can be regulated simply by using the cords located on the left side of the blind.

 4.        Drinking and eating is not permitted during class sessions, including Saturday classes.  (The custodial staff has indicated in the past that this practice could lead to an official grievance through their union.)  This policy is difficult to enforce if the instructor takes coffee into the classroom.  By the same token, if you feel your classroom is not being cleaned properly, please let me know.

 5.        Except for unusual circumstances, classes should be kept for the full scheduled time.  Evening school instructors should take particular care to keep classes.

 6.        Any changes made in meeting time, days, or place of a class should be discussed with me prior to announcing such changes to the class.

 7.        As in the past, any substitute for your class is to be arranged through the Division office.  Please let me know ahead of time when you plan to have some individual other than yourself "cover" a class for you.

 8.        In the event that you cannot meet a class because of illness or emergency, notify our secretary by calling 845-9624.  If she is not available, please leave a message on her answering machine, or contact me at 845-9673.

 9.        It is assumed that when a part-time instructor agrees to teach a class, his or her personal vacation schedule will be planned to coincide with the College schedule.

 

If any clarification of these items is needed, please see me.  Thanks for your cooperation.

 

Reg Gerlica, Associate Dean

English and Foreign Languages

  

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