Program Policies

Attendance:
Attendance and promptness are expected at all times. Each student is responsible for the material covered in all the classes, including lecture material, technical procedures, and all seminar discussions. The instructor has no obligation to repeat material for students with an unexcused absence.

All absences will be considered unexcused unless students provide appropriate documentation of illness or emergency. No absences will be excused without appropriate documentation under any circumstances. Students unable to attend classes due to the observance of a religious holiday are required to notify the instructor prior to the absence, or the absence will be considered unexcused. Students missing class due to an unexcused absence will normally receive a mark of zero for any exams or quizzes given during the missed class (see Missed Exams for details).

Assignments - General:

All ITAS assignments should be presented in a professional manner. Style and formatting matter! Failure to submit a professionally prepared assignment may require that you redo the assignment, or may result in a failing grade.

Late Assignments:

All assignments are due as indicated by the Instructor. All late assignments will be penalized 10% per day, including weekends, and will not be accepted later than five days. Late assignments will receive no written comment and may not be resubmitted.

Resubmitted Assignments:

Assignments which fail to achieve the minimum standard may be resubmitted at the Instructor's discretion, but will be eligible for a maximum grade of 'C'.

Missed Exams:

Students will normally receive a mark of zero for all exams missed due to an unexcused absence. Students missing exams with an excused absence will, at the Instructors discretion, either be given a chance to complete a make-up exam or will have the total course mark adjusted to remove the exam from the grading profile.

Group Grading:

Some assignments may be group assignments. Within such assignments, grades will be assigned on an individual or group basis based on the Instructor's discretion.

Incomplete Grades:

An 'INC' (incomplete) grade will be given only when an emergency situation prevents the student from completing the course and only when a majority of assignments for the course have already been submitted and when these assignments have cumulatively earned a 2.33 ('C+') mark. Arrangements for completion of the course work must be made prior to the date of the last scheduled meeting of the class. It is the student's responsibility to contact instructors if they know they will not be able to complete course work and wish to apply for incomplete grades.

Professionalism:

Professionalism is an important attribute for all individuals hoping for a successful career in Information Technology. It covers various aspects of behavior and attitude appropriate to a working professional. It includes reliability, the ability to work calmly and efficiently in difficult circumstances, respect for the equipment and the systems used, and the ability to remain courteous while under stress. Most importantly, professionalism requires that individuals treat colleagues and co-workers with the utmost respect at all time. Under no circumstances will individuals be permitted to adversely affect the learning environment of other students through a lack of consideration, respect, or inappropriate behavior. (Please also review VIU's Student Conduct Code in the Calendar for information regarding student conduct.)

With this goal in mind, the department has established the following set of procedures to ensure that its standards of professionalism are maintained:

1. Departmental guidelines for Standards of professional behavior (including the existence of disciplinary procedures) will be distributed to the students.

2. ITAS students agree to understand and accept the departmental standards for professional behavior by logging into the ITAS learning management system (Moodle).

3. Substandard performance in professional behavior will result in a warning letter being sent to the individual involved. Further substandard behavior will result in a formal review by the department (see point 4).

4. The formal review for substandard performance in professional behavior (point 3) will be conducted by the department's faculty (or a subcommittee delegated by the department). The student will have an opportunity to explain her/his perception of the situation and to present any other relevant information at that time. Upon hearing all information, the department will make a recommendation to the Dean's office regarding disciplinary measures, which may range from a warning to expulsion from the ITAS Department.

5. Individual ITAS courses may assign a percentage of the course mark to Professionalism.

The criteria by which professionalism is measured include the following:

• attendance/promptness
• ability to meet deadlines
• care of equipment and workspaces
• respect for departmental systems and personnel
• appropriate behavior in class
• ability to work effectively with others
• courtesy under pressure (to staff, students, and faculty) 

6. The department has a zero tolerance policy with regard to sexism, racism, and harassment of any nature

Academic Standard of Achievement:

All ITAS courses require adherence to the department's standards of academic achievement. These standards are as follows:

1. Students must pass all courses and obtain a cumulative GPA of 2.33 ('C+') or better in each term in order to be eligible to continue in the program and/or receive an ITAS credential.  For example, if a student completes all the required courses for a Certificate in Computer Systems and Networking, but the cumulative GPA for all first-year courses is below a 2.33, the certification will not be awarded. 

2. A grade of 'F' in any ITAS course may result in a student not being allowed to enroll in further ITAS courses. Students with an 'F' in any course will not eligible to receive a certificate or diploma in Information Technology and Applied Systems.

(Please see the Student Academic Code of Conduct and the Academic Probation Policy for more information).

Academic Use of Information Policy

Please take a moment to read the following policy. It is expected that all ITAS students understand the policy below:

• Use of Information Technology
  

English Usage:

It is expected that all written assignments will adhere to the rules of proper English, and be free of grammatical, punctuation and spelling errors. The importance of being able to write clearly and accurately cannot be overemphasized. If students anticipate difficulty in this regard, they should contact Writing Center. In most cases, instructors will penalize assignments for errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation. At minimum, such mistakes will affect the Instructors judgment of the quality of the work.

Plagiarism/Cheating:

Plagiarism is the presentation of another person's words, ideas or works without proper acknowledgment of the source. In other words: presenting the words, ideas or works of others as if they were your own. Such behavior is not only dishonest, it is a rejection of the principles of scholarship. A plagiarized assignment, therefore, will ordinarily receive an automatic grade of 'F'. At the Instructor and/or Department Chair's discretion, the plagiarist may be assigned an 'F' for the assignment or course. Repeated offenses will result in withdrawal from the course or program.

All students are expected to present their own work and ideas in assignments submitted for grading. Any student who intentionally makes their own work available to other students is guilty of facilitating plagiarism. At the Instructor or Department Chair's discretion, students who facilitate plagiarism may also be assigned an 'F' for the assignment or course. Repeated offenses will result in withdrawal from the course or program.

Appropriate Use of College Equipment:

Students are expected to be in compliance with all VIU policies regarding lab and equipment usage. In particular, ITAS students should read the College's Statement of Appropriate Use of Information Technology, Facilities and Services. Students found abusing or misusing any ITAS equipment may face expulsion from the Program or the University-College.

Use of Cell Phones in the Classroom/Lab:

The ITAS department recognizes the usefulness of smartphones and tablets. Except during exams, these devices are welcome as long as they are not operated in a way that is disruptive to the classroom. You must ensure that your ringers are turned OFF in the classroom to prevent disruption to the class.  Failure to do so may result in you being asked to leave the classroom. 

The use of smartphones and tablets is prohibited during exams and closed-book activities.

Required Equipment & Texts:

Students are expected to attend class with all required equipment and texts as outlined in the syllabus of each course. Students who do not have the required books and equipment may be asked to leave the program until such time as they have secured the required items. Concerns regarding this policy should be brought to the Department Chair immediately.

ITAS students are required to supply their own PC. The Department will publish an annual list of the required standards for PC equipment, and make this available to all accepted students. Students are strongly encouraged to put in place a 'rider' on their house insurance to cover the potential loss of computer equipment while on campus. While ITAS is committed to providing the best security possible, it is expected that students will secure all equipment (either in lockers or, through means of a security cable kit, to the desk).

Students will be required to purchase a security card (approximately $8.00) to access the ITAS labs. ITAS labs are open to students between 6:00AM and 12:00AM (midnight) Monday - Sunday.

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