graphic design course policies
use of studio space and time
Rapid progress is a benefit of the frequent interactions occurring in a community environment. Therefore, students are encouraged to work in the studio, utilizing the space provided for them. Students are expected to plan and manage their time properly, and are required to be actively working in the class area during studio time, with the following allowances (with instructor’s permission): working in the wood shop, library research, computer lab, or any area within the classroom building. Leaving to get supplies, food, etc is not acceptable, and should be done before or after class.
student conduct
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to a professional and educational setting and demonstrate collegial support of their peers. Students are required to observe the student code of conduct, which includes an anti-discrimination statement and no harassment policy. Please refer to your student handbook for more information.
use of communication/digital technologies
Regarding the myriad ways we may digitally communicate with one another – please practice the utmost respect for classmates, instructors, and your own intellectual development during designated course times. Laptops are to be closed during lectures and discussions unless otherwise specified by the instructor. Laptops are to remain closed at all times during critiques. Cell phone rings, texting, facebook and other unproductive digital activity will result in dismissal from class and an unexcused absence. Failure to comply with any of the above, will result in an absence for the day, a zero for the day, and you will be prohibited from presenting your work. If there is an emergency that may require you to receive a call, please let me know at the start of class.
calculating attendance and effects on grading
Please take note of the following:
Any absence negatively affects your grade.
“Late” = out of the classroom during roll call at the beginning of class.
“Absent” = missing by 30 minutes or more, asleep, disengaged or lack of participation.
Three lates = one absence. Being late will also result in your name being put at the end of the sign up sheet on days that we have one-one-one meetings.
- 3 absences = one letter grade reduction.
- 5 absences = two letter grade reduction.
- 6 absences (excused or unexcused) = automatic course failure per kcai attendance policy
- unless withdrawl accommodations have been made.
late/incomplete/missed projects & classes
Projects submitted for final critique will be evaluated as-is. You are expected to be present and engaged in all final critiques with your work ready to go at the beginning of class.
- Being absent for a final critique
- Projects not properly submitted at the start of final critique
- Being tardy for a final critique
All will result in being marked absent for the day and not receiving credit for the project. If there are guest critics in attendance, it is at the instructor’s discretion if your work will be addressed and in what ways. This is not a reflection of any other accommodations. Project solutions that have not been reviewed in progress, prior to a final critique will not be accepted or evaluated. Any project not submitted at all will result in an F for the course. Therefore, if you miss a deadline, the completed project should still be turned in. This must be arranged with the instructor within 24 hours of the missed deadline.
Students that know they will miss a class or final critique must make arrangements with the instructor ahead of time and will be expected to make up all studio work in addition to homework assignments and final projects.
project revisions
Projects submitted for final critique will be graded as-is. However, as in the field, any project is subject to improvements based on feedback, and even after a final critique, revisions may be necessary for end of semester review, and most importantly, for your portfolio development. Students are encouraged to continue to seek project critique from me and make necessary revisions in a timely manner. Project revisions are generally not accepted for grade adjustment or averaging but exceptions will be at instructor’s discretion.
grading criteria
All work completed in this course will be evaluated as a collective body. You will receive a written mid-term grade and a final grade, based on the following four criteria:
objectives
Ability to meet stated project objectives (listed at the start of each project you receive) that clearly exhibits learning through risk-taking and pushing one’s limitations.
presentation
Attention to detail and high level of craft. Level of quality and refinement achieved in final presentation design, and clarity of project presentation in final critiques and reviews.
participation
Ability to articulate thoughts and ideas verbally and in written form in a group setting and with the instructor, in a professional and respectful manner, daily and in final critique. Absences will negatively affect your average in this area.
process
Consistent level of effort, and ability to follow a logical and thorough path from concept through refinement to completion. Absences will negatively affect your average in this area.
Shorter exercises and papers will be graded on various criteria more appropriate to their purposes, described at the outset of each project. Extra credit will be offered at the instructor’s discretion.
the grading scale is as follows:
- A superior
- A-
- B+
- B above average
- B-
- C+
- C average
- C–
- D+
- D below average
- F
Determination of how a student’s work ranks is in relation to developmental norms for design students at your course level pursuing a BFA degree, as well as expectation for entrance into professional practice. If your work stands out as highly effective, innovative, and memorable in how it satisfies all grading criteria, you will earn an above average or superior course grade. If your work satisfies the grading criteria in a basic way but is not memorable or does not demonstrate significant learning, you will earn a course grade of average or below. If you have a question about your grade, the appropriate channel to contact me is to set up an appointment for office hours. I am happy to meet with you to provide further clarification if you follow those steps.
Determination of how a student’s work ranks is in relation to developmental norms for design students at your course level pursuing a BFA degree, as well as expectation for entrance into professional practice. If your work stands out as highly effective, innovative, and memorable in how it satisfies all grading criteria, you will earn an above average or superior course grade. If your work satisfies the grading criteria in a basic way but is not memorable or does not demonstrate significant learning, you will earn a course grade of average or below. If you have a question about your grade, the appropriate channel to contact me is to set up an appointment for office hours. I am happy to meet with you to provide further clarification if you follow those steps.
kcai school policies
kcai attendance policy 2014-15
Consistent attendance is critical to learning, growth, and academic success; therefore, students are expected to attend all class meetings. While the Institute recognizes there may be times when a student cannot attend, there are no “excused” absences. If students wish to make up work in exceptional circumstances such as death in the family, serious medical conditions, hospitalization, or observance of religious holidays, the student must provide appropriate documentation to the Disabilities and Academic Support Coordinator. Students should only submit documentation when an absence has led to a missed deadline, critique, or exam, or when extenuating circumstances have caused the student to miss 15% of class meetings. All documentation must be received within 24 hours of the absence in question. Once the documentation has been submitted, the instructor will be contacted, and the student will then be responsible for completing work missed, as well as meeting any additional requirements as determined by the instructor.
Instructors will notify students of their attendance requirements as part of the course syllabus, which should be distributed on the first day of class. Students must be present for all regularly scheduled examinations and submit complete assignments when they are due, unless alternative arrangements are made in advance, or documentation of an exceptional circumstance is submitted and accepted.
An absence from a regularly scheduled class is defined by a student not attending at class time and/or missing a significant portion of class time (as defined by the instructor). If absences meet or exceed 15 percent of the class meetings in one semester (2 classes for a course meeting once a week, 4 classes for a course meeting twice a week, 8 classes for a course meeting four times per week), the student may be subject to a reduced final grade. If absences reach 20 percent of the class meetings in any one semester (3 classes for a course meeting once a week, 6 classes for a course meeting twice a week, 12 classes for a course meeting four times per week), the student may fail the course. The instructor will inform the Dean of Student Affairs if a student’s absences meet 15 percent or 20 percent of the class meetings. The Dean of Student Affairs, or designee, will send notification to the student, Department Chair/Program Head/School Director, and Registrar that the final grade may be reduced due to absences (absences=15%) or that a failing grade (F) may be assigned for the class (absences=20%).
For courses where the instructor posts a stricter policy than the institutional attendance policy, which is stated above, the policy will be included in the course syllabus and the Dean of Student Affairs, or designee, will send notification to the student regarding a possible reduced or failing grade.
Instructors will notify students of their attendance requirements as part of the course syllabus, which should be distributed on the first day of class. Students must be present for all regularly scheduled examinations and submit complete assignments when they are due, unless alternative arrangements are made in advance, or documentation of an exceptional circumstance is submitted and accepted.
An absence from a regularly scheduled class is defined by a student not attending at class time and/or missing a significant portion of class time (as defined by the instructor). If absences meet or exceed 15 percent of the class meetings in one semester (2 classes for a course meeting once a week, 4 classes for a course meeting twice a week, 8 classes for a course meeting four times per week), the student may be subject to a reduced final grade. If absences reach 20 percent of the class meetings in any one semester (3 classes for a course meeting once a week, 6 classes for a course meeting twice a week, 12 classes for a course meeting four times per week), the student may fail the course. The instructor will inform the Dean of Student Affairs if a student’s absences meet 15 percent or 20 percent of the class meetings. The Dean of Student Affairs, or designee, will send notification to the student, Department Chair/Program Head/School Director, and Registrar that the final grade may be reduced due to absences (absences=15%) or that a failing grade (F) may be assigned for the class (absences=20%).
For courses where the instructor posts a stricter policy than the institutional attendance policy, which is stated above, the policy will be included in the course syllabus and the Dean of Student Affairs, or designee, will send notification to the student regarding a possible reduced or failing grade.
attendance procedures
If a student has been marked absent (could include tardies counted as an absence) for 15% or more of the class, the instructor, if it is before mid-term, will give them a down grade if the mid-term earned grade lowered by one full letter grade is a c- or less. At any point in time during the semester, if a student is marked absent for 15% or more of the class, the instructor will inform their department chair and the vice president for enrollment management and student achievement (vpemsa). The vpemsa will send notification to the student warning them they have missed 15% of the class(es), telling them this will have a negative impact on their grade, and requiring them to meet with the department chair who will reinforce where they stand and explain to them what will happen if they are marked absent for 20% of the class.
kcai first day attendance policy
Attendance at the first class meeting of the semester is mandatory for all students. If a student fails to attend the first class meeting of the semester without receiving permission from the instructor in advance of the first class, his or her enrollment in the class will be forfeited so that the first student on the wait list for the class may be enrolled. Once the registrar has been notified of the absence, the student will be dropped from the class, and the first student on the wait list will be notified by the Registrar’s Office that they are being enrolled in the class. Students on the wait list are not allowed to attend class until receiving notification of their enrollment from the Registrar’s Office.
disabilities accommodations
overview
KCAI students with disabilities are invited to disclose any disabilities they may have, but such a disclosure is not mandatory. Once documentation of a disability is received, students are provided with reasonable accommodations, which are designed to provide equal access to the material and environment of the classes that the students are enrolled in. These accommodations may include extended time for testing, preferential seating, note-taking assistance, and the recording of class lectures. Unlike the services that are available to the student body in its entirety, accommodations are mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and are dependent on appropriate documentation.
disclosure of disability
If a student discloses a disability directly to a faculty member and requests an accommodation, the faculty member should refer the student to the Office of Disability Services. A direct disclosure to a faculty member, without accompanying documentation from the Disabilities Coordinator, does not allow a student access to accommodations. Once a student provides documentation to our office, and provides written permission for disclosure of that information to faculty, the faculty members will receive a memo from the Disabilities Coordinator explaining the necessary accommodations.
confidentiality
Documentation regarding a student’s disability is protected under both FERPA and HIPAA laws. Faculty should also be mindful of the sensitivity that can accompany student disclosure. Each student relates to his or her disability differently, and some are more comfortable discussing it than others. Because of this, any conversation regarding a student’s disability should be held either before or after class, and should be initiated by the student. Any questions from faculty regarding the student’s accommodations should be asked of the Office of Disability Services.
All questions can be directed to:
Adam Rollins, Disabilities and Academic Support Coordinator
arollins@kcai.edu 816-802-3440
All questions can be directed to:
Adam Rollins, Disabilities and Academic Support Coordinator
arollins@kcai.edu 816-802-3440
academic dishonesty policy
Violations of the academic honesty policy are defined as follows:
A. The copying of another student’s work or the use of unauthorized notes and materials
during examinations.
B. Plagiarism, or the presentation of either the written or visual work of others (including
that of other students), as one’s own.
C. Cheating and unauthorized assistance during an examination or for other assignments.
D. Assisting or attempting to assist another to violate the Academic Honesty Policy.
E. Attempting to commit a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy.
Plagiarism is a serious offense at the Kansas City Art Institute, as well as illegal in the context of our nation’s copyright law. As such, it is important to know what plagiarism is in both one’s studio and liberal arts work. KCAI defines plagiarism as the wrongful act of taking someone else’s thoughts and presenting them as your own. In other words, plagiarism is the uncited use of not just words but ideas, and to avoid this, students are required to learn the arts-standard, Chicago Manual of Style guidelines for citing sources referenced in their own work, and must follow them carefully in their research and writing projects.
Students are also expected to be honest in their studio practices, particularly since the practice of appropriation is such an important strategy in art history. Though they might appear to be similar, plagiarism and appropriation are actually two very different practices. While it is true that appropriation involves taking possession of something often without permission-which for the visual artist usually means taking an image- it is also true that an appropriated image is not passed off as the original production of the appropriating artist. Indeed, the appropriating artist wants the viewer to recognize that an image has been utilized and referenced. (An artist who appropriates an image inevitably wishes to comment upon the original source in some way, usually as a critique, parody, or homage-all of which happen to fall under the realm of “fair use” in copyright law.) As such, appropriation is actually more like citing a source than plagiarizing it. All violations of the Academic Honesty Policy are taken as an offense against the Kansas City Art Institute and may result in sanctions.
A. The copying of another student’s work or the use of unauthorized notes and materials
during examinations.
B. Plagiarism, or the presentation of either the written or visual work of others (including
that of other students), as one’s own.
C. Cheating and unauthorized assistance during an examination or for other assignments.
D. Assisting or attempting to assist another to violate the Academic Honesty Policy.
E. Attempting to commit a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy.
Plagiarism is a serious offense at the Kansas City Art Institute, as well as illegal in the context of our nation’s copyright law. As such, it is important to know what plagiarism is in both one’s studio and liberal arts work. KCAI defines plagiarism as the wrongful act of taking someone else’s thoughts and presenting them as your own. In other words, plagiarism is the uncited use of not just words but ideas, and to avoid this, students are required to learn the arts-standard, Chicago Manual of Style guidelines for citing sources referenced in their own work, and must follow them carefully in their research and writing projects.
Students are also expected to be honest in their studio practices, particularly since the practice of appropriation is such an important strategy in art history. Though they might appear to be similar, plagiarism and appropriation are actually two very different practices. While it is true that appropriation involves taking possession of something often without permission-which for the visual artist usually means taking an image- it is also true that an appropriated image is not passed off as the original production of the appropriating artist. Indeed, the appropriating artist wants the viewer to recognize that an image has been utilized and referenced. (An artist who appropriates an image inevitably wishes to comment upon the original source in some way, usually as a critique, parody, or homage-all of which happen to fall under the realm of “fair use” in copyright law.) As such, appropriation is actually more like citing a source than plagiarizing it. All violations of the Academic Honesty Policy are taken as an offense against the Kansas City Art Institute and may result in sanctions.
academic honesty procedures
faculty-student conference
When an instructor of the course has evidence that there is a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy that merits a sanction of a written warning, opportunity to redo the assignment, required tutorial on academic integrity conducted by KCAI’s Disabilities and Academic Support Coordinator or designee, reduction of grade for the assignment, failing the assignment, and/or failing the course, the instructor is responsible for notifying the Dean of Student Affairs immediately of the allegation. If the student has had multiple Academic Honesty Policy violations, the Dean will forward the allegation to an Academic Honesty Hearing. The Dean will also review the notification of the instructor and determine if additional non-academic student code of conduct violations may have occurred and will initiate an investigation and follow the appropriate student code of conduct proceedings, if deemed necessary.
After the instructor notifies the Dean of Student Affairs and the alleged violation is deemed a first time offense, the instructor is responsible for holding a Faculty-Student Conference with the student to discuss the allegation. The instructor must notify the student in advance in writing to the student’s official KCAI email address and letter (hand delivered or via U.S. mail) of the Faculty- Student Conference and the conference must be conducted within ten business days (defined as Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. when the college is in session) of receiving the evidence to support an alleged violation. If the instructor does not conduct the conference within ten business days or receive an approved extension, refer to the General Provisions portion of the policy, the student shall not be subject to the Academic Honesty Policy for the alleged violation. At the private Faculty-Student Conference, the instructor shall discuss the allegations, present evidence, and provide the student the opportunity to present his/her position and evidence. If more than one student is involved in the specified alleged incident, it is recommended, but not required, that separate conferences are conducted for each student.
If after receiving notice for the Faculty-Student Conference, the student fails to appear at the conference, the instructor will make a decision of responsibility and sanctions will be determined based on the available information. Sanctions imposed may include the following and/or combination of the following: a written warning, opportunity to redo the assignment, required tutorial on academic integrity conducted by KCAI’s Disabilities and Academic Support Coordinator or designee, reduction of grade for the assignment, failing the assignment, and failing the course. The student has the right to petition to reschedule and/or participate remotely. The petition must be submitted in writing via email or hand delivered letter to the instructor within two business days of receiving the notification from the instructor of the Faculty-Student Conference. The student waives the right to file a petition to reschedule and/or participate remotely if not filed within two business days. Approval of the petition to reschedule and/or to participate remotely is at the discretion of the instructor. Acceptable means of participation remotely include Skype, FaceTime, and phone.
Following the Faculty-Student Conference, the instructor will determine on the evidence provided if the student is responsible or not responsible, based on preponderance of evidence, for violating the Academic Honesty Policy. Preponderance of the evidence is “such evidence as, when considered and compared with that opposed to it, has more convincing force and produces in your minds belief that what is sought to be proved is more likely true than not true.”[Williams v. Eau Claire Pub. Sch., 397 F.3d 441, 446 (6th Cir. Mich. 2005)]
If it has been determined by the instructor that the student has been found responsible and a violation has occurred, the instructor can impose the following sanctions and/or combination of sanctions: a written warning, opportunity to redo the assignment, required tutorial on academic integrity conducted by KCAI’s Disabilities and Academic Support Coordinator or designee, reduction of grade for the assignment, failing the assignment, and failing the course. If following the Faculty-Student Conference the instructor believes based on the evidence the violation is of severity that merits a sanction of suspension or expulsion from the college, as well as withholding or revocation of a degree, the instructor must notify the Dean of Student Affairs immediately. In such an event, no determination of responsibility is made and no sanctions are imposed as a result of the Faculty-Student Conference and severe allegations will be referred as indicated in the to the Academic Honesty Hearing portion of the policy.
After the instructor notifies the Dean of Student Affairs and the alleged violation is deemed a first time offense, the instructor is responsible for holding a Faculty-Student Conference with the student to discuss the allegation. The instructor must notify the student in advance in writing to the student’s official KCAI email address and letter (hand delivered or via U.S. mail) of the Faculty- Student Conference and the conference must be conducted within ten business days (defined as Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. when the college is in session) of receiving the evidence to support an alleged violation. If the instructor does not conduct the conference within ten business days or receive an approved extension, refer to the General Provisions portion of the policy, the student shall not be subject to the Academic Honesty Policy for the alleged violation. At the private Faculty-Student Conference, the instructor shall discuss the allegations, present evidence, and provide the student the opportunity to present his/her position and evidence. If more than one student is involved in the specified alleged incident, it is recommended, but not required, that separate conferences are conducted for each student.
If after receiving notice for the Faculty-Student Conference, the student fails to appear at the conference, the instructor will make a decision of responsibility and sanctions will be determined based on the available information. Sanctions imposed may include the following and/or combination of the following: a written warning, opportunity to redo the assignment, required tutorial on academic integrity conducted by KCAI’s Disabilities and Academic Support Coordinator or designee, reduction of grade for the assignment, failing the assignment, and failing the course. The student has the right to petition to reschedule and/or participate remotely. The petition must be submitted in writing via email or hand delivered letter to the instructor within two business days of receiving the notification from the instructor of the Faculty-Student Conference. The student waives the right to file a petition to reschedule and/or participate remotely if not filed within two business days. Approval of the petition to reschedule and/or to participate remotely is at the discretion of the instructor. Acceptable means of participation remotely include Skype, FaceTime, and phone.
Following the Faculty-Student Conference, the instructor will determine on the evidence provided if the student is responsible or not responsible, based on preponderance of evidence, for violating the Academic Honesty Policy. Preponderance of the evidence is “such evidence as, when considered and compared with that opposed to it, has more convincing force and produces in your minds belief that what is sought to be proved is more likely true than not true.”[Williams v. Eau Claire Pub. Sch., 397 F.3d 441, 446 (6th Cir. Mich. 2005)]
If it has been determined by the instructor that the student has been found responsible and a violation has occurred, the instructor can impose the following sanctions and/or combination of sanctions: a written warning, opportunity to redo the assignment, required tutorial on academic integrity conducted by KCAI’s Disabilities and Academic Support Coordinator or designee, reduction of grade for the assignment, failing the assignment, and failing the course. If following the Faculty-Student Conference the instructor believes based on the evidence the violation is of severity that merits a sanction of suspension or expulsion from the college, as well as withholding or revocation of a degree, the instructor must notify the Dean of Student Affairs immediately. In such an event, no determination of responsibility is made and no sanctions are imposed as a result of the Faculty-Student Conference and severe allegations will be referred as indicated in the to the Academic Honesty Hearing portion of the policy.
