COLLEGE POLICIES and the RIGHTS and RESPONSIBILITIES of STUDENTS and STAFF
(Tokyo MA Program)
The Teachers College Policies and statements on the rights and responsibilities of students and staff are given at various places in the annual catalog and in the Statutes of Teachers College. However, these statements are incomplete in that they do not contain all the formal actions taken in the past by various governance bodies at the College, and do not include a number of patterns which have been a part of the general procedures for the College over a number of years.
For more and fuller explanations and information on College Policies on
drugs and sexual harassment etc go to:
http://www.tc.columbia.edu/administration/student-handbook/policies.htm
For more and fuller explanations and information on the Rights and Responsibilities
of Students and Staff go to:
http://www.tc.columbia.edu/administration/student-handbook/
The information from these web addresses and extracted below is largely designed to describe current policies and practices and to identify the grievance procedures available to students of the Teachers College MA Program based in Tokyo.
Non-Discriminatory Policy
Continuing its long-standing policy to support actively equality for all persons, the Teachers College Program in Tokyo does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability in the administration of its admissions, employment and educational policies or scholarship, loan and other school-administered programs. Rather, Teachers College affirms that it admits students and selects employees regardless of their race, color, creed or religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability and thereafter accords them all the rights and privileges generally made available to students or employees at the school.
The rights of the College with reference to the continuation of enrolment are stated as follows in the Statutes:
"The admission of a student, their continuance upon the rolls of the College, the receipt by them of academic credit for work completed, graduation, and the conferring of any degree or diploma upon them shall be subject strictly to the control of the College, which shall be free to refuse or cancel registration at any time on any grounds, except those cited above, which it deems desirable" (VII-C).
While the College has the authority for actions in the areas noted above, the exercise of that authority is generally subject to the grievance procedures in instances in which a student believes that the policies guiding such authority have been applied in a capricious or discriminatory fashion. For more information on these matters please go to:
http://www.tc.columbia.edu/administration/student-handbook/.
Requirements
For the MA n TESOL a grade average of B or better is required for graduation. The College regulations also provide that a student with eight or more points of C- or lower is not permitted to continue enrolment at the College. Such a decision cannot be made by an individual professor but must be made by the department in which the student is enrolled, and this would normally entail discussions by the Tokyo Director with the Chair of Arts and Humanities in New York, as well as the Associate Dean. There is no formal appeal from such a decision, but the services of the Ombudsperson may be requested by the student.
Grading Policy
The instructor for a course has the responsibility for setting the requirements for a course and making an evaluation of students' work. No officer of the College can supersede the exercise of this responsibility. Once a grade has been given, the instructor is not free to change the grade unless the instructor indicates to the Tokyo Program Director or the Registrar that an error was made in the original grade transmitted. If a student believes that an error has been made, he/she must take the initiative in bringing about the necessary correction prior to the conclusion of the semester immediately following the semester in which the course was taken.
Grade Correction Procedure
The normal procedure for effecting a correction would be through direct discussion between the student and the instructor. If redress cannot be attained through such discussions, the student may appeal to the Tokyo Program Director. In situations where the student feels that such an appeal process might not be in the student's interest, counsel and assistance can be sought from the Tokyo Ombudsperson.
Policy
The College has the responsibility for establishing the requirements for various degrees subject to certain policies set by Columbia University, the New York State Education Department, and professional accrediting agencies. Students have the right to full information regarding these requirements.
The student's advisor (the Tokyo Program Director) has the full and final responsibility for approval of the academic program of the individual student within the framework of the established policies of the department and the College, including the student's program of course work for each academic term. For more information on MA Program Requirements and exemptions go to:
http://www.tc.columbia.edu/administration/student-handbook/
Policy Defined
A member of the Teachers College student community is expected to refrain from conduct, including cheating, plagiarizing, or purchasing documents submitted for academic evaluation, that calls into question his/her academic and/or professional probity.
Decisions regarding academic evaluation in all aspects of students' work at the College, including course work, certification examinations, clinical or field experiences, and preparation of dissertations, are within the sole jurisdiction of the faculty concerned, including, as appropriate, the department or program staff members. Disciplinary actions (e.g., reprimand, suspension, or dismissal) in cases of academic misconduct can be imposed by the Associate Dean or the Committee on Student Conduct, as defined by the procedures set out in the web address at:
http://www.tc.columbia.edu/administration/student-handbook/
Conduct Standard Defined
While Teachers College does not operate on the basis of detailed regulations and processes, it does expect its members to communicate with each other in appropriate and respectful ways, and to observe the traditional canons of scholarly discourse, academic behaviour, and due process. Students as well as faculty are expected to exhibit the high level of personal integrity which society must demand of professionals.
Teachers College insists on the greatest degree of freedom of inquiry, teaching, learning, and expression for all of its members. Thus, activities which disrupt the regular and essential operation of the College and/or Columbia University are not permitted.
Students or other members of the university community may register charges of violating these standards with the Office of the Tokyo Program Director. Students found guilty of violating these standards of conduct may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, ranging from reprimand to disciplinary probation, suspension or expulsion. There are also provisions for the termination of students deemed to be emotionally ill to such a degree that an academic program cannot be successfully pursued, or whose conduct impedes the work of other students, faculty, or administrative offices. For more information on these matters go to:
http://www.tc.columbia.edu/administration/student-handbook/
Ombudsperson Defined
The Ombudsperson is an active or emeritus member of the New York and Japan-based faculty having no officially recognised administrative responsibility within the Tokyo Teachers College MA program.
The Tokyo Program currently has two Ombudspersons, whose contact details can be supplied by contacting the TC-Tokyo Office staff.
Powers and Duties Defined
The Ombudsperson is charged with attempting to resolve informally student dissatisfaction of an academic nature as requested by a student or group of students. Students shall be able to confer with the Ombudsperson on a completely confidential basis. The faculty, administration, and staff shall be instructed to cooperate with the Ombudsperson. The Ombudsperson shall have no power to compel the taking of any action by any party. No party may compel the Ombudsperson to reveal any information he/she has. The Ombudsperson may not voluntarily reveal any information learned from the student for any purpose without the student's permission; and if this occurs inadvertently, the information shall not be used in any manner to the student's disadvantage in connection with any academic or disciplinary decision.
Procedures for Use of the Ombudsperson
A student with an academic grievance is encouraged in the first instance to deal directly with the instructional or administrative officers of the Tokyo Program most directly concerned with the matter. In practice that would mean taking up the matter with the course instructor and attempting to reach a settlement of any issue through reasoned and respectful discourse by all parties. If this is deemed unsatisfactory by the student, then he/she should make contact with the Program Director. However, at any point in the consideration of a grievance, a student has the right to the assistance of the Ombudsperson as a mediator in consultation with instructional and administrative officers of the College.