GRADE CONTRACT
Student Media
Robert Marshall Wells, Ph.D.
COMA 229/429
Grading Philosophy
Your grade in this course will be earned based on your fulfillment of a grade contract. COMA 229/429 grades will NOT be based on tests, papers, quizzes or projects such as those in regular classes.
Rather, because Student Media is about acquisition of skills and the production of content, you will be assessed on your level of engagement and participation during the semester, which you will pre-determine in consultation with your specific outlet advisor(s) and student leadership.
Satisfactory completion of “deliverables” and attendance of a specific number of applicable and appropriate skills workshops identified and agreed to in this contract will ensure an optimal grade in the course.
Conversely, failure to produce/perform will likely result in a less-than-optimal grade, dependent upon individual efforts, unexpected turns of events, and/or extenuating circumstances (illness, family emergencies, etc.) The MOST important thing is to communicate – often and well in advance – with your outlet advisor(s) and student leaders.
We understand that life happens. However, those who ignore/miss deadlines, fail to participate, or submit promised deliverables, fail to attend skills workshops, and do not communicate with leadership will fail the course.
For more than 40 years, hundreds of PLU students have explored their creative sides, discovered new skills, developed new passions, and even launched careers based on involvement in PLU Student Media. You are encouraged to take risks, step outside of your comfort zone, try new things and have some fun.
Contract Terms
To receive a grade of A, you must consult with your Student Media Outlet Advisor and student leaders on an ongoing basis to develop reasonable, workable and individualized action plans. This is true whether you are enrolled for 0, 1 or 2 credit hours. For students enrolled for more than 2 credits of 229/429, productivity expectations will obviously be higher. Like all other 229/429 students, however, decisions about activities, participation and deliverables should be based on personal and professional goals and made in consultation with outlet advisor(s) and student leadership.