Fall 2021 End of Semester Message

Dear Faculty Colleagues,  

Thank you for your unwavering dedication to the education of our students and the pursuit of new knowledge and creative works this semester. I continue to be amazed and grateful for you and all you do. Today, I am writing to share a few reminders regarding the end of the semester.

Guidelines for Final Exams

Please review the Kent State University Administrative Policy and Procedures Regarding Final Examinations (3-01.4). Note that every course requires a final examination, which can take various formats, including a final paper or student presentation. 

Final examinations scheduled during final exam week must occur at the time they are scheduled. Thus, if you are administering a synchronous final exam during final exam week, this exam must occur only at the time the exam is scheduled.

Grading

Final grades submission is to be completed in FlashLine before midnight on Tuesday, December 21st. Login to FlashLine and click on the Faculty & Advisors Category / Faculty Dashboard / Grading Resources Section to access the links to submit final grades. The University Registrar has posted Faculty Grades Processing FAQs that are helpful as well as grade posting deadlines for your convenience. 

For complete information on university grading policies, please visit the Grading Policies and Procedures section in the University Catalog. If you have any problems accessing FlashLine or if you need technical assistance, please contact the HELP desk at 330-672-HELP (4357) or via the Online Support Portal at Tech Help. If you have questions about submitting your grades, contact the Registrar's Office at 330-672-3131.

Canvas and Blackboard Updates

Visit kent.edu/canvas for additional updates, training, help and support.


Universal Online Student Surveys of Instruction (SSIs)

As usual, all course evaluations will now be delivered electronically through Flash Survey. Reports will be available 11 days after the surveys close. 

Class Cancellations and Leave Reporting

As a reminder, if you have to cancel a class, you must let your chair/director know. In accordance with the policy and procedures regarding sick leave for salaried unclassified and classified employees including faculty, all sick leave requests should be submitted to your supervisor in advance of the date the leave is to begin. If the need for leave is not foreseeable, you must provide notice as soon as possible to your chair/department head

FERPA

In light of the provisions of FERPA, please preserve and maintain the privacy of your students and their records. Do not ask students to submit assignments in open mailboxes or in unattended, publicly accessible places and do not provide graded assignments for student pick-up in public venues. Similarly, do not post grades publicly and do not link students' names and/or ID numbers in conjunction with grades. 

Student Support

Our students have experienced a lot of stress during the pandemic. The Step Up and Speak Out website and mobile app provide helpful information on Do's and Don'ts of dealing with distressed and disruptive individuals and lists resources that are available 24 hours a day. If you identify a student who may reasonably pose a potential threat to self, others, or the University, please consult with the Care Team. 

The Care Team is a cross-divisional crisis management committee that collaboratively assesses and coordinates a response in these situations. Referrals to the Care Team may be made quickly by contacting Dean of Students Dr. Taléa R. Drummer-Ferrell (tdrumme1@kent.edu; 330.672.8003) or Student Ombuds Dr. Amy Quillin (aquillin@kent.edu; 330.672.9494).

Thank you so much for all you do for our students. I am looking forward to seeing everyone in the spring! I hope you rest and enjoy quality time with family during winter break!

My best,

Melody 

Melody Tankersley, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President and Provost

 

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