COB Statement of Expectations

Community Responsibilities and Mutual Expectations

The URI College of Business (COB) believes it is important to foster mutual respect and a strong sense of shared responsibility between faculty and students in advancing the mission of the College.

Respect for scholarship, hard work, professionalism, civil discourse, and cordial interactions helps build the academic environment we seek. This document outlines specific responsibilities and asks each member of the community to fulfill these responsibilities while encouraging and supporting one another in upholding these ideals.

This statement is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting with regard to the University’s statutes.

Student Expectations of Faculty and the COB Environment

All students have the right to expect the College of Business and its faculty to:

  1. Cultivate a positive, respectful, and engaged academic environment inside and outside the classroom.
  2. Conduct classes at regularly scheduled times without undue changes and without penalty if a student cannot attend due to academic conflict or rescheduled instructional, lab, or examination hours.
  3. Provide and post a syllabus on Brightspace within the first week of class that outlines course objectives, evaluation criteria, and requirements for successful completion, and to inform students of any changes during the semester with reasonable time to adjust. This document serves as a contract between students and faculty.
  4. Provide regularly scheduled office hours in accordance with College of Business policies.
  5. Ensure regularly scheduled access to URI facilities and equipment needed to complete course assignments and objectives.
  6. Use transparency in grading processes and criteria for assignments, projects, and exams, and return graded material in a timely manner.
  7. Adhere to formal URI policies, rules, and regulations as outlined in the University Manual, including but not limited to FERPA confidentiality policies and the prohibition of exams during the final five days of classes in lieu of a final examination.

Faculty Expectations of Students and the COB Environment

All faculty members have the right to expect students to:

  1. Foster a positive, respectful, and engaged academic environment inside and outside the classroom.
  2. Appear regularly and promptly for class meetings.
  3. Arrive on time for office hours or mutually scheduled appointments related to academic matters.
  4. Attend all examinations and class presentations, except for formally excused absences or emergencies.
  5. Arrive prepared for class with appropriate materials and having completed assigned readings and homework with due diligence.
  6. Engage fully in classroom activities by paying focused attention, participating meaningfully in discussions, posing relevant questions, and adhering to the personal electronics policy of each class.
  7. Turn off (including vibration mode) all electronic devices, except computers used for coursework, and keep all electronics out of view during class.
  8. Act with integrity, honesty, responsibility, and civility in all matters related to university life and adhere to the URI Student Code of Conduct.
  9. Communicate in a respectful and professionally appropriate manner in all COB and URI communications, including written work, emails, presentations, and conversations.
  10. Monitor URI email and course websites each semester to stay informed about updates, changes, and important course, College, or University matters.
  11. Meet regularly with an academic advisor and take responsibility for meeting curriculum requirements for their major.