Reasons for our policies

The attendance policy has been a success.

For example, only one student who met the attendance and project submission requirements for Comp 111 in the fall term 2004, failed the course. This was out of 106 students. The lesson is simple. Do the work and you will pass the course.

After the introduction of attendance and project submission policies we have seen a dramatic rise in average marks and pass rates. The harder the rules have been enforced, the bigger the rise.

We would much prefer not to have to apply policies like these. However, experience has shown us that these policies help students to succeed. We want to reduce failure rates on the courses in the department. These policies are helping us to do this.

Students who feel they have the necessary maturity not to need the support of these policies are encouraged to take advantage of the alternative routes provided under “exceptions” in the attendance policy..

We would also much prefer not to have to concern ourselves with the detection and deterrence of copied work. Unfortunately, copying is sufficiently widespread and is enough of an obstacle to the educational process for us to need to take measures to prevent it.

A last word – if you have any worries or doubts about your progress on any course you should seek help from the assistants or lecturer on the course at the first opportunity. Do not wait until the mid-term exam or the end of term or, even worse, until after the final results have been posted. Nothing will be changed retrospectively. Everything can change if you act in good time.