UC Davis Math: Quarterly Reminders

Please take a few minutes to read through this document which outlines important details if you are teaching a class. The items below are listed in the order they appear in the document.

Instructor's Handbook
Course Enrollments
Variable Unit Courses
Office Hours
Room Reservations
Classroom Technology
Student Disability Information
Textbooks
TAs Assigned to Courses
Reader Support
Handling Homework and Other Graded Work
Posting/Filing of Grades
Payroll and Union Contract Questions
Leaves/Absences
Visitors/Space
Computer Needs

1. Instructor's Handbook

This web-based handbook is designed to inform new instructors about University policy and good practices to keep in mind when teaching Mathematics at UC Davis.

2. Course Enrollment Questions: Connie Dani
studentservices@math.ucdavis.edu

When there are enrollment pressures on a class and students are asking about PTA numbers (permission to add), please discuss the options with Connie (1130 MSB) before responding to the students. PTA numbers are assigned based on the instructor's permission by a form from Connie (or Perry if Connie isn't available).

When students have questions about PTD numbers (permission to drop) or late drops, those requests are handled through the student's dean's office. The instructor and department are NOT involved in this decision.

3. Variable Unit Courses: Student Services
studentservices@math.ucdavis.edu

Variable Unit Courses include the following :

Independent study for undergrads (lower division MAT99 or upper division MAT199) or grads (MAT299)
Group study for undergrads (lower division MAT98 or upper division MAT198) or grads (MAT298)
Tutoring in the community (MAT197TC) - typically tutoring at a local school at any level as long as it's mathematics tutoring
Reading or Research Seminars (MAT290)
Dissertation Research (MAT299D)

All variable unit courses are 1-5 units (depending on the amount of work done) except for MAT299 and 299D, which are both 1-12 units.

CRNs are available from Student Services. For each of these courses there is a form to be filled out, signed by the instructor and then returned to 1130.

4. Office Hours: Alla Savrassova
alla@math.ucdavis.edu

For each course you teach, you are expected to post and keep regular office hours open to students without prior appointment, as outlined in the Faculty Code of Conduct (APM - 015*) . At the beginning of each quarter, please submit your office hours to Alla at alla@math.ucdavis.edu, in order for them to be posted on the Math website.

5. Room Reservations: Connie Dani
rooms@math.ucdavis.edu

If you would like to reserve an MSB room for a seminar or meeting, please email rooms@math.ucdavis.edu with your request. Before making a request, you might want to view MSB room availability and room-use guidelines.

If you would like to reserve another room on campus for a review session or other academic purpose, contact rooms@math.ucdavis.edu with the CRN, course name, instructor name, reason for request (ex: Review Session), room size needed, date needed and time. Please supply us with this information as soon as you know it, as availability of rooms can be limited.

If you want to use the computer lab (2118 MSB) for a class, please contact rooms@math.ucdavis.edu.

6. Classroom Technology (including how to access media cabinets)

The campus go-to resource in support of information technology is the Information Educational Technology (IET) website. Relative to instruction, look for the link at the top to "Classrooms and Computer Rooms." Instructions are provided on many classroom services and tools, including the media cabinets (which house microphones and computer cables). If the media cabinet is locked, you can get a key from the Quick Response Team at 752-3333 if an emergency, or pick one up from Classroom Audio-Visual Support at Room 1440 Surge II, which is located near the Silo Union.

7. Student Disability Information
(530) 752-3184 or sdc@ucdavis.edu

Dr. Jennifer Gibson, Program Director, Student Disability Center (SDC), would appreciate the statement below appearing prominently on all syllabi to help students understand the accommodations process:

Any student with a documented disability (e.g. physical,learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) who needs to arrange reasonable accommodations must contact the Student Disability Center (SDC). Faculty are authorized to provide only the accommodations requested by the SDC. If you have any questions, please contact the SDC at 530/752-3184 or sdc@ucdavis.edu.

Should you have any questions about "reasonable accommodation", please email sdc@ucdavis.edu. As well, much information is available on their website, and Dr. Gibson is more than happy to provide in-service training for instructors.

8. Textbooks: Connie Dani
cdani@math.ucdavis.edu

To ensure availability of textbooks for your students at the start of the quarter, please be mindful of deadline dates regarding the ordering of your textbooks.

If your desk copy has not arrived by the time you need it, Connie can arrange to borrow a copy from the bookstore, or contact the publishing company to rush the order. After use, please remember to return your desk copy to ensure that other instructors can use it as well.

For any textbook concerns, including questions concerning copyright permission, ordering, and availability, please contact Connie.

9. TAs Assigned to Courses: Tina Denena
tdenena@math.ucdavis.edu

You may view TA assignments.

TA's are assigned on a quarterly basis. Each TA is asked for their time conflicts and preferences. This data is then used to place the TA's in the appropriate courses. Each course is given a unit allocation. "Lead TA's" are assigned to the faculty-led 16 and 21 series when the enrollment cap is 200 or more.

Math 12 & 16: 1 unit = 50 students
Math 17: 2 units = 50 students
Math 21: 2 units = 50 students
Math 22 & upper division: 1 unit = 35 students; though this can vary depending on subject matter, discussion sections, and enrollments.

Allocations for graduate courses are determined by the Department Chair.

It is the TA's responsibility to contact their assigned instructor, however, if contact has not been made within the first week, it is recommended that the instructor contact them directly.

TA's are covered by the AASE Union Contract. We recommend that all instructors review this contract.

10. Reader Support: Tina Denena
tdenena@math.ucdavis.edu

On a quarterly basis, Readers are assigned to all lower division courses, except MAT21. Allocations are based on course enrollment. It is the Reader's responsibility to contact their assigned instructor, however, if contact has not been made within the first week, it is recommended that the instructor contact them directly. Tina can provide you with Reader email addresses. Since Readers are usually undergraduates, we do NOT post Reader assignments for public viewing. All Readers are covered by the ASE union contract. We recommend that all instructors review this contract.

11. Handling Homework and Other Graded Work: Connie Dani
cdani@math.ucdavis.edu

Students should hand in homework during class/discussion section. For the occasional late or early homework, please instruct students to slide it under your office door. Since undergraduates do NOT have access to our mail room, your mailbox is never an option.

When returning homework, this should be done during class/discussion section, or via the homework boxes which the department provides in the basement of Wellman. Since these boxes are open to the public, students must complete an authorization card (available from Connie). Exams should always be returned in class, never through these homework boxes.

12. Submission of Grades: Perry Gee
studentservices@math.ucdavis.edu

Per campus policy, grades are due to the Office of the Registrar 72 hours after the final exam. All grades are submitted electronically through My UCDavis: my.ucdavis.edu.

Any issues and paperwork related to grade changes, incompletes and retroactive course changes, or questions about grades in general, contact Perry or Celia.

13. Payroll and Union Contract Questions: Business Services
business@math.ucdavis.edu

If there are questions regarding your payroll or withholding, please contact the business office.

If performance issues or other similar problems arise concerning your assigned Reader or TA, please contact the business office. They will work closely with Human Resources to solve any problems.

14. Leaves/Absences: Carol Crabill
ccrabill@math.ucdavis.edu

*Note: calendar days are used when counting days on leave*

Absences of seven days or less must be approved by the Department Chair. Complete a leave form on line prior to the beginning of the leave. Arrangements for missed classes need to be specified, preferably by a fellow colleague. If this is not possible, a TA may be used on infrequent occasions provided he/she is willing to teach the class.

Absences of more than seven days but less than 30 need approval from the Department Chair, the Dean, and the Vice Provost. Complete a leave form on line at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the leave. Additionally, an itinerary will need to accompany the request.

Absences of 30 days or more also need approval from the Department Chair, Dean, and Vice Provost. Complete a leave form on line at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the leave. Attach an itinerary and a letter explaining the request. Because this is considered an "exceptional leave" the Department Chair and Dean have to write supporting letters as well, so as much information that can be provided beforehand is very helpful.

(These rules do not apply to faculty on approved sabbatical leave or leave without pay. If you are a represented academic employee, then the leave of absence rules that apply are according to the relevant contract.)

15. Visitors/Space: Connie Dani or Jessica Potts via rooms@math.ucdavis.edu.

Space is still somewhat limited in the Department. If you expect to have a visitor, please plan ahead and email rooms@math.ucdavis.edu regarding your space needs. Visitor space will likely be shared space.

16. Computer Needs - help@math.ucdavis.edu

If you have computer needs, email help@math.ucdavis.edu as far in advance as possible. Also, for general computer information, please check Computer Support on our web page.