Oct. 26, 2015

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NEWS

scribe.uccs.edu Vol. 40, Iss. 9

Monday, October 26, 2015

IN BRIEF

cribe University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Teachers hope no attendance policy encourages students to attend class

Energy Efficiency

Sustainability looks to minimize usage 3

Blood Drive

Bonfils hosts drive on campus 3

CULTURE

HalloWeek

OSA hosts week of scarefilled events 3

AUSTIN CHASSE | THE SCRIBE

Centennial Auditorium sits empty. Teachers differ in the best way for students to attend class.

Latest garb for college men 5

OPINION

Holiday Displays

Stores start too early 9

Attending Plays

Students should take advantage of free shows 9

SPORTS

Colin Prater

Golfer returns home to help UCCS team 11

Men’s Basketball

The post Derrick White era begins 11

Rachel Librach rlibrach@uccs.edu

Attendance policies at UCCS range from three excused absences to no attendance policy whatsoever. Guidelines are not enforced by the chairs of academic departments, but the attendance policies are left up to the individual professor. Sabine Allenspach, an instructor in the biology department, said disciplining students for not showing up to class is unproductive. She believes that students who make the effort to attend class should be rewarded in hopes of eventually recognizing the benefits of being present. “Attendance is important for students. They should take advantage of the time and resources in the classroom to

This self-discipline and training is so crucial for (students) to learn now so they can prepare themselves for the career world. – Susan Epperson, senior instructor for the biology department

Male Fashion

study and get help where they need it,” said Allenspach. “My plan is to reward the students who show up with extra credit points, hopefully encouraging students to recognize the benefits of attending class,” she said. While Allenspach believes it is important to recognize and reward students for showing up, it is equally important not to discipline students who don’t attend class. “You can never know the reason why a student might not attend. If we know the student absolutely can’t come we still mark them as attended and they can make up a lab if that happens. Our goal is to be as supportive as we can and encourage students to come to class,” she said. Another instructor’s view on her similar attendance policy is that college students are adults and are responsible for their actions just like they would be outside of school. “A student should learn the value of coming to class and having that hands-on experience,” said Susan Epperson, senior instructor for the biology department. “This self-discipline and training is so crucial for (students) to learn now so they can prepare themselves for the career world.” Epperson said she does not deduct points from students who do not attend class.

“I do have in class questions which come up at random having to do with information that we discussed, and if students are there that day they get the five points,” she said. “The reward system for those who do show up enriches a student’s experience in the classroom as well as offer opportunities to improve their grade.” Zachary Mesyan, an associate professor for the math department, believes it is up to the students to manage their classes and learn the information. He said this is why most of the math department has no

attendance policy. “I can’t speak for all of the professors in the math department, but it would seem that most of us don’t have a strict attendance policy. I believe students at the university should be treated like adults, and it is their responsibility to come to class or not,” he explained. “I don’t like forcing attendance on them, I try to encourage students to be responsible for the material. I am more than happy to meet with students and assist them in understanding the information, but making the choice to come to class is up to them.”

AUSTIN CHASSE | THE SCRIBE

Students listen to their professor during class.


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