Student Handbook
2014-2015
Global Education Office English Language Program
Global Education Office 817 W. Franklin Street P.O. Box 843043 Richmond, Virginia 23284-3043 USA (804) 828-8471 www.global.vcu.edu/elp Dr. R. McKenna Brown Executive Director Dr. 5REHUW *RGZLQ -RQHV ,QWHULP English Language Program Director
Table of Contents
Mission, Vision and Core Values 1
Contact Information 2
Paying for Classes 6
“On my honor, I have neither given nor received aid on this assignment, and I pledge that I am in compliance with the VCU Honor System.”
Grade Review Policy
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from the VCU Honor System For the full version, visit www.provost.vcu.edu/pdfs/Honor_system_policy
Frequently Asked Questions
10
ELP Attendance Policy
3
Registration 3
Curriculum 4 Your VCU eID
Your VCU e-mail
5 5
Viewing Your Schedule 5 Student Complaints 6 Transitioning from ELP
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ELP Student Handbook
Mission, Vision & Core Values MISSION
As the preeminent urban, public intensive English program in Virginia, ELP’s mission is to promote student success in ESL through its commitments to: 1. Provide first-rate instruction and advising within a safe and caring environment; 2. Offer specialized curricula featuring academic preparation courses in several disciplines; 3. Expand ESL pedagogy within a learner-centered and culturally diverse program which encourages an environment of inclusion; 4. Enhance local and global partnerships to broaden the scope of educational opportunity and cultural understanding; 5. Improve specialized short-term programs throughout the year for individuals and groups to advance English language learning for professional and/or personal reasons.
VISION
The English Language Program will be the leading intensive English program with first-rate teaching, learning and advising.
CORE VALUES
Integrity -- to serve every student with the highest standards of honesty, professionalism and ethics; Achievement -- to ensure excellence in English language learning through best practices in instruction, research, and student services; Collaboration -- to promote collegiality among faculty, students and staff; Innovation -- to advance student creativity and originality independently and in group work; Diversity -- to enhance understanding and share knowledge about all cultures and to further diversify the student body
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ELP Student Handbook
Contact Information VCU Campus Police (emergencies)
804-828-1234
VCU Campus Police (non-emergencies) Inclement Weather Hotline
804-828-1196 804-278-1727
Campus Escort Security Service (5pm-8am) Inclement Weather Hotline
804-828-WALK (9255) 804-278-1727
English Language Program Staff Dr. 5REHUW *RGZLQ -RQHV, ,QWHULP Director UJMRQHV#YFX HGX ferlisec@vcu.edu
Dr. Emily Ferlis, Associate Director Mohammed Debbagh, Assistant Director Shakeela Noori, Office Manager Michelle Webb, Student Adviser
mdebbagh@vcu.edu snoori@vcu.edu webbml3@vcu.edu
Rachel Wiltshire, Admissions Coordinator Anderson, Jill Arnold, Brian
rcwiltshire@vcu.edu
English Language Program Teachers jtanderson@vcu.edu btarnold@vcu.edu
Bumpass, Diane Chrzanowska, Aneta Corio, Ron Debbagh, Mohammed Dudley, Susan Farneda, Carol Ferlis, Emily Govan, Cassandra Hildebrandt, Lisse Jafari, Niloufar Lehman-Rios, Angela Oswald, Kris Parsley, Lucia Shipp, David
dbumpass@vcu.edu amchrzanowsk@vcu.edu rcorio@vcu.edu mdebbagh@vcu.edu sddudley@vcu.edu carevalo@vcu.edu ferlisec@vcu.edu govancr@vcu.edu lphildeb@vcu.edu jafarin3@vcu.edu aglehmanrios@vcu.edu kloswald@vcu.edu parsleyls@vcu.edu dhshipp@vcu.edu
Short, Audrey Warfield, Sarah Wilkinson, Laura Wisdom, Tim
aeshort@vcu.edu swarfield@vcu.edu wilkinsonls@vcu.edu tswisdom@vcu.edu
Global Education Office International Student and Scholar Programs
804-827-9331
VCU Resources Student Health (Immunization), 1300 W. Broad St. Suite #2200 Student Accounting (Payment Office), 1015 Floyd Ave. University College (Academic Advising), 900 Park Avenue University Counseling Service, Student Commons, Room 238 2
804-828-8828 804-828-8774 804-827-8648 804-828-6200
ELP Student Handbook
Attendance Policy
• Class attendance is required to be successful in your studies. Please note that a receipt from the clinic
does not equate to a note from a healthcare provider. In order to qualify as an excused absence, the note from your doctor must specify that you were too sick to attend class on the day(s) you were absent.
• Class attendance is required to maintain your student visa. • In the event of an excused absence, students must meet with their teachers to make up class work
they missed. Excused absences include: medical appointments or emergencies, embassy visits, court appearances, religious holidays, etc. Students should let their teachers know as soon as possible if they will be absent.
• Coming to class late or leaving early can also negatively affect your participation in the class. Note that you may not make up a quiz or exam if your absence is unexcused.
• Always ask your teacher if you have problems or questions about attendance. They are here to help you!
Registration • ELP Student Advisors manually register all incoming ELP students for ELP courses. • Advisors visit ELP classes mid-term to inform and survey students about taking classes in the next ELP session.
• Continuing and returning ELP students register for ELP courses online through VCU e-Services during the Advance Registration period. Late registration requires overrides from an ELP Student Advisor.
• The last day to add/drop an ELP course is the last day of the Advance Registration period. Late add/drop requires an override from an ELP Student Advisor.
• The last day to withdraw from an ELP course is mid-term, consistent with the University academic calendar. • To withdraw from a course, students must contact an ELP Student Advisor. • Withdrawing after the add/drop period will not result in a refund or partial-refund. • If you do not inform the ELP office of your decision to drop a class before the deadline, you must pay even if you never attended the course.
• If you fail a course, you will automatically be re-registered into the course for the next term if you fail to register yourself
• ELP Student Advisors do not register ELP students for academic courses • Sometimes other departments will place a “hold” on your account. This prevents ELP advisors from
registering you and we will not be able to give you a schedule. Please be sure to check your “holds” in e-Services and take care of them as needed. All ELP students will have an English Proficiency hold.
• ELP Advisors send important information to your VCU email. Please check your VCU email daily.
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ELP Student Handbook
Curriculum The core curriculum in the English Language Program consists of four required courses:
Written Communication
Level 1: Students will study basic reading comprehension as well as learn sentence and paragraph structure. This course is taught with an integrative approach, so often writing assignments will be based on course readings. Grammar is taught through reading and applied in writing. Levels 2 & 3: Students will study intermediate- and advanced-level readings from many sources, including textbooks, online articles, short stories, novels and excerpts from academic texts. Students in Level 2 are expected to be able to write a short essay (approximately 5-6 paragraphs in length) upon completion of the course. Level 3 students are expected to be able to write longer essays (from 3-10 pages in length), including research papers following proper citation guidelines. Grammar is taught through reading and applied in writing.
Oral Communication
Level 1: Students will study basic listening, speaking and pronunciation skills. This course is taught with an integrative approach, so speaking assignments will be based on short listening prompts as guided by the instructor. Grammar is taught through listening and applied in speaking. Levels 2 & 3: Students will study intermediate- and advanced-level listening comprehension as they further develop their oral communication skills. Speeches will increase in duration and be based on specific topics learned through listening prompts. Students are expected to improve pronunciation through use of Carnegie Speech software. Advanced-level students will be able to give Power Point presentations, participate in class discussions and practice active listening skills so they are prepared for similar projects at VCU. Grammar is taught through listening and applied in speaking.
Vocabulary & Idioms
This course is available only for students in Levels 2 and 3. The goal of this course is to help students further develop vocabulary skills and use of commonly used idiomatic phrases so that they may become better communicators outside the classroom. These skills are taught in context and applied through real-life pronunciation as spoken by native speakers.
Skills Courses
There are four skills courses offered to Level 2 (intermediate) students: Expanding Listening Skills; Expanding Reading Skills; Expanding Writing Skills; and Expanding Grammar Skills. Students are required to take the course in which their skills are weakest. Courses assigned to students are decided based on teacher recommendation or placement test results.
Academic Preparatory Courses
Students in Level 3 are required to enroll in one of the following courses as determined by their long-term academic, professional and/or personal goals and with approval from the advisor and/or ELP Director. The following are offered as academic prep courses:
Business ESL (Level 3): This course will focus on business topics with the purpose of helping students develop the traditional language skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking at the intermediate ESL level as related to the business world. The class will meet for fifty minutes three times per week over one semester (16 weeks). Advanced Grammar (Level 3):
Students will practice using various grammatical units to improve their sentence and paragraph writing in this class. Students will examine various verb forms and other structures through activities and games involving reading, listening, speaking and writing. 4
ELP Student Handbook Engineering for ESL Learners (Level 3):
Students will improve their reading, writing, listening, speaking and grammar skills at an advanced level through being introduced to terms and topics related to engineering. This course is designed specifically for students admitted into VCU’s School of Engineering.
Mastering the TOEFL (Level 3):
Students who are required to obtain an iBT score over 79 to enter a particular field of study may enroll in this course, which includes studying the four major ESL skill areas, taking practice exams and ultimately the entire exam as offered in the TOEFL Preparation text with CD.
Mastering Reading Comprehension:
Students who demonstrate weakness in reading, writing and grammar may take this course. Included in this course are reading various fiction and nonfiction books, depending on teacher preference and the VCU Summer Reading Program. Books read in this course include the following: Salt, Sugar, Fat; The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People; Metamorphosis; The Great Gatsby; and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Please visit the ELP website for updated tuition and fee information.
Your VCU eID What is your VCU eID?
The VCU eID is your login name to use many VCU electronic services and web applications. The eID is used to gain access to email, the VCU Portal, wireless network, Blackboard and more.
How to find your VCU eID: To find your eID, go to https://husky.vcu.edu/eid/finder/index.cgi You will need to enter two of the three pieces of information: The last 10 digits of your VCUCard number, your Banner ID (V Number), or your birth date. Press the “FIND” button. Your eID will be displayed. You will then be given the chance to set your password for the first time.
Your VCU E-mail E-mail is a necessary form of communication between you and your ELP advisors. Please check your VCU e-mail on a regular basis to ensure that you are receiving instructions or notifications regarding your ELP classes. Please remember email messages will not be sent to gmail, hotmail, yahoo, or other addresses. To access your VCU e-mail, visit www.vcu.edu. Click on e-mail. Click on VCU Mail Anywhere and sign in usung your eID and password. If you have trouble, please visit Technology Services located in the basement of the Cabell Library.
Viewing your schedule
• To view your schedule, visit www.vcu.edu. • Click on the “myVCU” tab which is located on the top of the page. https://my.vcu.edu/. • Enter your eID and your password in order to log into your myVCU portal. 5
ELP Student Handbook • You will be directed into myVCU portal. • On the left side, click on eServices/VCU Self Service. • You will be directed to the VCUeServices page. • Click on the “Student” Tab and click on “Registration”
Paying for ELP Classses You will receive a notice in your VCU e-mail account, which will tell you how much you need to pay and when the money is due. Please check your VCU email account regularly. Otherwise, you will be responsible if your payment is late! The VCU Student Accounting Office DOES NOT send bills in the mail.
Payment Options: 1. Go to the Cashier’s Office (Harris Hall, 1015 Floyd Avenue, 1st floor). They are open Monday-Friday
from 9:00am-3:00pm. They can only accept these types of payment: Cash, Personal Check, Cashier’s Check, Money Order The Cashier’s Office cannot accept payments with a credit card.
2. Pay online. You can log into your VCU eServices account to pay your bill using a MasterCard,
Discover, or American Express credit card. VCU will charge an additional 2.75% fee if you use your credit card to pay for classes. This means that if your bill is $2,000, you will actually pay $2,060. VCU does not accept Visa cards.
If you have a bank account in the United States and a check book, then you can pay online from your bank account using the information from your check. This is called an electronic check payment. The instructions for electronic check payment will be on the payment website.
3. Transfer money to VCU. Students can make wire transfers from their bank accounts to VCU’s
bank account. If you need more information, please email Rachel Wiltshire (rcwiltshire@vcu.edu) for instructions.
Student Complaints
If you have a complaint regarding a grade, please talk with your teacher first. If you still believe you did not receive the grade you earned, please contact the advisor and explain your situation. If you cannot resolve the issue with your advisor, you may discuss the grade issue with the Director and/or Associate Director, in which case your teacher will be present at the meeting to clarify any details regarding your final grade. If you are still dissatisfied, you may appeal your grade and have it reviewed by the ELP Grade Review Committee (see below). If you have a complaint that is non-grade related, please see your advisor, who will assist you or refer you to an office where you can be helped.
Grade Review Policy
English Language Program students have a right to appeal course grades they consider to have been arbitrarily or capriciously assigned or assigned without regard for the criteria, requirements, and procedures of the course as stated in the syllabus or guidelines for assignments. Grades determined by actions under authority of the VCU Honor System may not be appealed through this procedure, nor may dismissals that have occurred as a result of correctly derived course grades.
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ELP Student Handbook Though the faculty has the responsibility for assigning grades on the basis of academic criteria, such grade designations can sometimes raise conflicts. Thus, while affirming the importance of maintaining standards of excellence and the integrity of the teaching/learning process, the university and its faculty also recognize that, on occasion, grades may be inappropriately assigned. Should such conflicts occur, students have a right to be fairly heard. When discrepancies occur concerning the grading process, the welfare and integrity of both faculty and students are equally important. This document is in no way intended to compromise the work of the faculty. The faculty member (or members, in the case of a jointly taught course) bear the responsibility for specifying in writing at the beginning of each class section the formal requirements of the course and the weights that will employed in determining the final course grade. The faculty member(s) shall apply relevant grading criteria uniformly to all members of the class. Grades received through the grade review procedure are final and may not be appealed.
Step 1: Initiating an appeal A: When a student has evidence that a final grade has not been assigned in accordance with the stated criteria, the student shall discuss it first with the faculty member. The faculty member will explain how the final grade was determined. B: If the student continues to feel that the grade was incorrectly assigned, a written appeal may be submitted to the director of the program. Students appealing grades assume the burden of proof. The appeal must state and support with all available evidence the reasons why the student believes the grade should be changed. The amount of time available to submit an appeal is limited by the length of the course for which the grade is being appealed. If the course for which the grade is appealed is a semester-length course, the written intent to appeal must be submitted within fourteen calendar days after receiving their grades. The grade issued by the faculty member will remain in effect throughout the appeal procedure. In instances in which the failing grade is in a prerequisite course, the student will not be allowed to enroll in the subsequent course until and unless the appeal is resolved in the student’s favor. For this reason, a student who wished to appeal a grade is advised to do so as soon as possible, and the appeal must be resolved as quickly as possible.
Step 2: Mediation A: The English Language Program Director will attempt to mediate a solution within two weeks of receipt of the written appeal. B: If the complaint is not resolved, the director will forward the appeal to the Associate Director of the Global Education Office. The director will also submit in writing the recommendation made to the two parties regarding the appropriateness of the grade. C. The Director and/or Associate Director will form a grade review committee and designate a student advisor as the chair. The committee has the option of either raising the grade or leaving the grade unchanged. The committee will consist of the non-voting, student advisor chair, the appropriate skill committee chair, and two faculty members who are either currently teaching the course whose grade is under discussion or who are experienced instructors in that course. D. The committee will initially meet to examine the written appeal and the Director’s recommendation. It can require the faculty member and/or the student to turn over to the committee grade records for that class as well as any tests, papers and examinations by students of that class that they may possess. The committee will disregard any claim that a test or paper that has been returned to a student was unjustly graded unless that test or paper is produced for the committee’s inspection.
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ELP Student Handbook E. After examining the materials, the committee may, by a majority vote, decline to hear an appeal that it judges to be patently without merit. F. If the committee decides there is merit in the appeal, they will authorize its chair to set a date for a hearing. The chair will meet with each party prior to the hearing to explain the rules and procedures of the hearing.
Step 3: Grade Review Hearing A. Grade review hearings will be closed and will consist of the Grade Review Committee, the faculty member who assigned the grade in question, and the appealing student. Either party can present additional witnesses as long as they remain within their allotted time and their testimony is directly relevant to the course at issue. Performance in other classes is not relevant. Witnesses may only be present at the meeting for the time of their testimony. B. The hearing will begin with the student outlining the reasons for the appeal and all evidence that exists of an improper grade. The faculty member will then explain the criteria used for the original grade assigned. Each party will have no more than one hour to present a position. C. The committee will decide whether the grade was justified according to the course in which the grade was given. If the evidence is that the grade was determined according to the stated objectives, criteria and grading procedures of the course, the committee will uphold the grade. The committee will also take into account that purposes, methods, requirements and grading criteria differ from course to course and that difference is a legitimate characteristic of a university and its faculty. Further, the grade in some courses may be partly or solely determined by a faculty memberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s professional judgment, which in itself cannot be overturned without evidence that the judgment was arbitrarily or capriciously rendered. The committee will consider (a) whether the faculty member(s) articulated the criteria to be used (some criteria may be implicit within the discipline), (b) whether those criteria were actually used to determine the final grade and (c) whether the results of the evaluation were communicated to the student. D. A grade may only be changed by a vote of at least two of the three voting members. E. When the committee has reached a decision, the committee chair will submit the decision in writing to the the Director and/or Associate Director along with the reasons for the decision. F. The Director and/or Associate Director will communicate the decision in writing to the appealing student, the faculty member and the department chair. If the grade has been changed, the registrar will also be notified. G. The evidence, proceedings, and the final decision of the committee will remain confidential. All documents will be held in a confidential file by the Associate Director for one year. The party from whom a document was obtained may request that it be returned at the end of the year. All documents not returned will be shredded by the Associate Director within one year. Adapted from â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grade Review Procedure.â&#x20AC;? VCU Bulletins 2012-2013 (draft). n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 10, 2011 <http:// www.pubapps.vcu.edu/bulletins/undergraduate/?uid=10096&iid=30785>
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ELP Student Handbook
Transitioning from ELP to Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Coursework As you develop your English language skills, you need to also be preparing for the next step - taking undergraduate or graduate courses. International Student and Scholar Programs advisors are available to help you do so most easily and effectively. Successful transition involves several steps. All Level 3 ELP students are required to participate in Transition Orientation and to meet with an ISSP academic advisor. Level 2 students are encouraged to meet with ISSP advisors as well. If you have not done so successfully already, you will need to apply to VCU. To do so, you should contact International Admissions at []. You should also contact ISSP for help in considering your program options and completing your application. As you prepare in Level 3 to enter a degree program at VCU, you are required to:
• meet at least twice with an ISSP academic advisor • submit a Change of Level I-20 form in ISSP • take the Math Placement Test (undergraduates) • register for International Student Orientation (all) and New Student Orientation (undergraduates) or Graduate School Orientation (graduates)
• meet with your academic advisor in the University College (freshmen undergraduates) or your degree program (transfers and graduates)
• after completing all of the above, register for classes • undergraduates must be registered for at least 12 credits; graduate students must register for at least 9 credits.
Other things you will need to keep in mind:
• You must be covered by medical insurance the entire time you are enrolled at VCU. • You must take care of any holds – financial, medical, etc. – before you are allowed to enroll. • You should make requests for I-20 extensions and change of levels at least 30 days prior to expiration, and you should request I-20 travel signatures at least 15 days prior to travel.
• You should be on campus and settled in at least one week before classes begin each term. Plan your travel arrangements accordingly.
• Be aware of add/drop and withdrawal deadlines for academic courses. The dates are absolutely firm. • Undergraduates are strongly encouraged to enroll in UNIV 101: Introduction to the University in their first semester.
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ELP Student Handbook • All are strongly encouraged to attend as many GEO Learning Labs as possible, during Level 3 as well as while taking academic courses. See the Learning Labs schedule on the GEO website.
• We encourage all former ELP students to meet as often as necessary with ISSP academic advisors, especially in their first term, to make sure they are doing well and getting the help they need.
• CHECK YOUR VCU EMAIL DAILY and CHECK BLACKBOARD FOR ALL OF YOUR CLASSES DAILY. • Attendance is generally required in all academic courses. • The ISSP team is here to help – come soon and come often!
Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is the ELP Placement Test?
A: The ELP Placement Test is given at the beginning of each term to each non-native English speaking student who does not meet the English language requirement for studying at VCU. Students must take the Placement Test on the Monday before classes begin. Students are not allowed to take the exam earlier than the semester they plan to attend ELP and/or VCU without written permission from the ELP Director or Associate Director. Based on the scores, students are placed into one of three levels. The ELP Placement Test includes reading, writing, listening, speaking and grammar/sentence structure components. During the placement test, you will receive an appointment card. The card tells you when to return to the office to receive your test results. You must come in person to meet the adviser. Results cannot be e-mailed or given over the phone. During this meeting, you will register for your classes and receive your schedule. You will also receive your bill for the classes at that time. For more information, please visit the ELP website http://www.global.vcu.edu/elp/placement/#structure
Q: If my English skills are strong enough, can I be a part-time ELP student and part-time VCU student and take only either Written Communication or Oral Communication?
A: Yes. Based on your Placement Test score and/or your performance in ELP courses as well as teacher recommendations, you may take courses at both ELP and VCU. Students who are dually enrolled must rec
Q: Once I have graduated from ELP, do I need to take the iBT or IELTS to enter VCU?
A: No. If you have been accepted into an undergraduate program at VCU, you probably do not need to take the iBT or IELTS for most academic programs at VCU. Please note some programs require an iBT or IELTS score; for more information, contact our International Admissions Office.
Q: What if some of my English skills are stronger than others?
A: Split-level enrollment is offered at ELP and based on your Placement Test results as well as teacher recommendations. For example, if listening and speaking scores indicate level 2 placement, but reading and writing show you belong in level 3, you will take the following courses: Written Communication 3, Oral Communication 2, Vocabulary & Idioms 3, and a level 3 academic preparation course.
Q: Can I change from one level to another?
A: There will be no level changes during the first few days of a new semester. Our Placement Test is extremely accurate and level changes will only be approved if recommended by your teacher(s) based on scores from both the Placement Test and diagnostic tests. Please do not come to the ELP Office during the first week of classes requesting a change in level or section. These will be made only according to teacher recommendation and must be approved by the Director or Associate Director and your advisor.
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ELP Student Handbook Q: What if I need extra help with a particular skill area?
A: ELP offers many skills and academic preparatory courses. You are also encouraged to take advantage of the ELP Learning Center for individualized tutoring and various programs offered in the Global Education Office, including Peer Mentors, Conversation Partners, and Bridge Program for Level 3 students.
Q: Will someone help me arrange housing, become familiar with the English Language Program and VCU, explain the ELP Placement Test, and open a bank account when I arrive in Richmond?
A: Yes - this is all included in the English Language Program Orientation, which takes place the week before the first week of each term at VCU. Our Orientation team will help you with every step in the process of becoming acquainted with ELP, VCU, and the surrounding area.
Q: What is the background of the teachers at ELP?
A: All ELP teachers possess graduate degrees in ESL and/or ESL-related fields. They have extensive international backgrounds: all have experienced many cultures, lived and/or studied in other countries, and speak other languages. Most ELP faculty members understand what it means to go to another country and to learn a new language in a different culture. Therefore, we encourage you to communicate with your teachers so that you can get to know one another.
Please remember: While you come here to learn English, we also learn from you.
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Global Education Office