August 26, 2022 - Preventing Student Complaints

Preventing Student Complaints

As we begin the 2022-2023 academic year, let me first express my appreciation for all that you are doing to fulfill our educational mission. It is not easy work at the best of times. We know that many of you have gone above and beyond for several years, and it may take more than a summer to bounce back. We are here to help. Please continue to reach out at any time.

If you are teaching this semester, please take a moment to read through the following reminders for Fall subjects. To avoid unnecessary headaches arising from student complaints about violations of these regulations after the semester begins, I ask for your help in checking that your subjects are consistent with Faculty policies on grading, assignments, and exams:

• Grading Guidelines (In particular, please make sure that you are familiar with our policy of not grading “on a curve”, and that your understanding accords with these guidelines.)
• Assignment and Exam Restrictions: Undergraduate subjects; Graduate subjects; Requests for clarification or exceptions
• Scheduling Exams, Quizzes, and Review Sessions

To ensure that all of your fall subjects comply with these policies, please take a few moments to review your syllabus in the context of the policies. If you have any questions or need an exception, please contact me as soon as possible.

Finally, the Teaching and Learning Lab has worked hard to compile a set of superb resources to help us all plan for academic continuity in these still uncertain times. I encourage you to review these as well.

Warm wishes for the fall term,

Lily L. Tsai

Chair of the MIT Faculty
Ford Professor of Political Science
Director, MIT Governance Lab (MIT GOV/LAB)
Tel: 617-253-6643
Email: l_tsai@mit.edu