FIRST YEAR COMPOSITION REQUIREMENTS, SYLLABI & PRE-REQUISITES
Q: How have the current Engl 112 requirements changed? A: The previous Engl 112 required students to pass the final exam. Since Fall 2019, English 112 students have been required to submit a final portfolio in lieu of a final exam. Q: How have the current Engl 150 requirements changed? A: While the final research paper is the same in format and length requirements, it will no longer be a high stakes paper. Instead, it will be 25% of the student's final grade. In addition, a midterm exam will no longer be required; in its place, the student must produce an annotated bibliography that is related to the final research paper instead.
Q: What part of the syllabus can I change? A: The class description and objectives, as well as the requirements and policies, must remain verbatim. Instructors are free to create their own course schedules and select readings to supplement the required texts.
Q: To whom do I send my syllabus (syllabi) for my classes? A: Please send an electronic copy to the Composition Coordinator, Dr. Cristina Migliaccio and to Ms. Doreen Williams.
Q: What text do I use to teach the MLA Style? A: The common research reference book for F17-S18 is Little Seagull Handbook with Exercises by Michael Bullock, Richard Brody and Francine Weinberg. The Composition Committee also recommends the online reference site "Purdue Owl."
Q: How do I know if a student has met the prerequisites for my class? A: To ensure that students take ENGL 112 before ENGL 150, and to help students avoid taking a course they may already have credit for, please ask your students to show documentation that they have earned a CUNY Proficiency Index (CPI) Score of 65 or higher in the first week of their ENGL 112 course. Students can access their score on CUNYFirst. If you are teaching Engl 150, ask your students to show their unofficial transcripts indicating that they have passed Engl 112 with a C or better.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Q: Are workshops offered for faculty in the semester? A: Yes. Cohort meetings and workshops for all faculty (full and part time) will be scheduled for each semester contingent on resources and funding. All adjunct faculty are welcome to suggest workshop topics and to moderate a workshop if interested!
Q: Am I paid for attending these faculty development workshops? A: The Department is sometimes funded for these activities, depending on the budget. We make every effort to provide a stipend for participating adjunct faculty whenever possible. Please check in with the Composition Coordinator re. faculty stipends for these events.
Q: Can I skip the Cohort Sessions offered during the semester? A: All instructors are required to attend the Cohort Sessions during the semester.
Q: What is an NC Grade? A: "NC" stands for "no credit." It is given to a student who has completed all class assignments but is unable to earn a passing class grade between C and A. This grade gives the student another chance to repeat the class without penalty of lowering his/her GPA. A student can only receive this grade ONE TIME for the course.
TECH SUPPORT, PRINTING, AND PHOTOCOPYING
Q: Whom do I contact if my computer in my classroom doesn't work? A: Contact the IT Help Desk by calling 718-270-6262. Q: What do I do if my classroom isn't equipped with media technology? A: Contact the IT Help Desk to reserve a SmartCart for the days and times you are teaching the class. Be sure to let Media Help Desk know how long (one month, two months, all semester, every class) you will need the equipment.
Q: How do I get photocopies made? A: For 20 copies or fewer, you may use the copy machine by the middle staircase of the Bedford Liberal Arts hallway. For bigger reprographic jobs, follow the procedures established by the Reprographics Office. For details, contact theReprographic Shop (718-270-6011) in the basement of the Carroll Street Building.
Q: Is it possible to print documents from the office computers? A: Yes. The computers in the Adjunct Office (1015N) are connected to the print/copy machine by the middle staircase of the Bedford Liberal Arts hallway.
OFFICE HOURS AND CONTACT INFO FOR ADJUNCTS
Q: What is the policy regarding office hours for adjuncts? A: For every Engl 112 or 150 class, an instructor is contractually obligated to provide one office hour. Please put these office hours on your syllabi and Blackboard courses, and let Ms. Doreen Williams know the time of your office hour before the first day of class.
Q: Where is the adjuncts' office, and are there assigned desks or areas for each adjunct? A: The adjuncts' office is 1015N. There are computers carrels, but there are no assigned spaces.
Q: What is the best way for students to get in touch with me? A: Students can leave a message for you in the adjuncts' office. The number is 718-270-4949. The best way, however, is for them to write you either through Blackboard or directly to your MEC e-mail, so be sure to activate that account.
ADJUNCT FACULTY WORKLOAD AND PAYMENT INFO
Q: What is a "work-load form?" A: A Work Load Form is a form adjunct faculty must fill out and submit to Ms. Doreen Williams before the start of the term. It is submitted to Human Resources after the Chair's approval for salary authorization.
Q: Where can I get a pay schedule, and when do adjuncts get paid? A: A pay schedule is generated by Human Resources around the third week of classes, indicating the dates adjunct instructors should expect their paychecks. A copy of that schedule will be posted in the Adjuncts Office (1015N). Once you have received your first paycheck (depending on whether you are newly signed on), you should receive a paycheck every two weeks after.
CLASS CANCELLATIONS
Q: What are the policy and procedures if I have to cancel a class? A: If an emergency prevents you from meeting your class, follow these steps: 1. Post a class cancellation notice on your Blackboard under "Announcement." 2. E-mail Professor Dr. Susan Fischer, English Dept. Chair, and copy the Composition Coordinator, Dr. Cristina Migliaccioand the Department Assistant, Ms. Doreen Williams. 3. Fill out the Report of Instructor Absence Form and submit a copy to Ms. Williams. For MEC Policy on Instructor absences, please contact Human Resources for more information.
Q: What is the policy for requesting a substitute instructor for my class? A: While there is no formal policy in obtaining a sub for a class, it is highly recommended that the instructor receive permission from the Chair (Dr. Susan Fischer) and the Composition Coordinator (Dr. Cristina Migliaccio) to make arrangements.
Q: Can I ask my Supplemental Instructor (SI) or Tutor to teach my class when I can't? A: Supplemental Instructors/Tutors can only be asked to proctor a class and to work with students on their writing assignments outside of class. Under no circumstances can a proctor perform teaching or grading duties in place of the instructor.
TEACHING AND TECH RESOURCES FOR FACULTY & STUDENTS
Q: How do I access the MEC library or help my students access it? A: Faculty and students can access the library for virtual support at the MEC Library Website or via email at Ask a Librarian.
Q: What is E-Reserve? A: E-Reserve is a resource provided by the Library that instructors can use to put any teaching supplemental material such as readings and assignments.
Q: What do I do if I wanted to put my instructional material on E-Reserve? A: Documents and textbooks Reserve Requests Forms can be obtained from the Circulation and Reference Desks of the Charles Evans Inniss Memorial Library. For more information, please contact Ida Bazan, Coordinator, Print and Electronic Reserve Collections, at (718) 270-4816 or via e-mail to [email protected]..
Q: What do I do if I have a question about using BlackBoard? A: Contact Steve Wymore, Director of the Ed Tech Center, 718-270-4866 for a training session appointment.
Q: Where else can I receive help with Instructional Technology at MEC? A: The Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence Website offers a Virtual Helpdesk for Blackboard through Blackboard Collaborate where faculty can schedule one on one appointments, and access tutorials independently. The CTLE also offers professional development workshops for faculty throughout the academic year.
Q: What do I do if my students need extra help and/or tutoring? A: You may refer your students to the Writing Center Website. They can also call the Writing Center at 718.804.8287 or visit the center in the Library, Room B1045A.