1

MGT 3333: Small Business Management Fall 2017 Semester

Online

Professor: Dave Howe, PhD Location: Online Office Location: Classroom Center 213K Office Hours: Tuesdays 12:30 pm-3:30 pm, Wednesdays 9:30 am-1:30 pm, and Thursdays 1:40 pm-3:40 pm Office Phone: 806-651-3869 Email: dhowe@wtamu.edu Social Media: Keep up with the latest happenings of your COB on Facebook and Twitter, connect with us on LinkedIn, and check out COB videos on YouTube.

Terms of Use A student's continued enrollment in this course signifies acknowledgment of and agreement with the statements, disclaimers, policies, and procedures outlined within this syllabus and elsewhere in the WTClass environment. This Syllabus is a dynamic document. Elements of the course structure (e.g., dates and topics covered, but not policies) may be changed at the discretion of the professor.

WTAMU College of Business Mission Statement The mission of the College of Business is to provide high quality undergraduate and graduate business education with a global perspective and ethical awareness. We accomplish this through emphasis on excellence in teaching, which is strengthened by faculty scholarship and supported by professional service. Learning Objectives of the WTAMU College of Business Programs The College of Business (COB) at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) seeks to prepare students in the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Professional Accounting (MPA), and the Master of Science, Finance and Economics (MSFE) degree programs for careers in business and to foster their professional growth and advancement via key learning goals and objectives.

The learning objectives of the College of Business are as follows:

Leadership

Communication

Critical Thinking

Business Integration

Core Business Knowledge

Global Business Environment

Business Ethics and Corporate Governance

2

Course Description This course, unlike other business courses that concentrate narrowly on a particular function or piece of the business—finance, marketing, operations, human resources, or information systems—small business management focuses on starting and operating a small business. It cuts across the whole spectrum of business and management. The course takes a practical, down-to-earth approach to planning, organizing and managing a small business. The center of attention is the total enterprise – the industry and competitive environment in which the small business operates its long-term direction and strategy, its resources and competitive capabilities and its prospects for success. This course is designed to give students hands-on experience with managing a small business. Much of our time will be spent engaging in a virtual small business simulation. This approach not only solidifies a clear sense of important issues surrounding small businesses, but also simulates the competive environment small businesses must compete in to survive and thrive. Course Objectives At the conclusion of this course, you will:

1) Develop your capacity to think strategically about small business, its present business position, its long-term

direction, its resources and competitive capabilities, the caliber of its strategy, and its opportunities for

gaining sustainable competitive advantage.

2) Give you hands-on experience in crafting business strategic options, using what-if analysis to evaluate action

alternatives, and making sound strategic decisions through simulation.

3) Integrate the knowledge gained in earlier core courses in the business school curriculum, show you how the

various pieces of the business puzzle fit together, and demonstrate why the different parts of a business

need to be managed in strategic harmony for the organization to operate in a winning fashion.

4) Develop your powers of managerial judgment, to help you learn how to assess business risk and improve

your ability to make sound decisions and achieve effective outcomes.

Map from COB Learning Objectives to Specific Course Objectives The College of Business Learning Goals are related to the course objectives for MGT 4337, as follows: • Communication: Students will develop competencies in written, oral, and electronic communication through a variety of assignments including the reflection essays, the team project paper and presentation, and class discussions. • Critical Thinking: Students will demonstrate their competencies in critical thinking through reflection essays, the Mount Everest simulation, exams, in-class activities, and class discussions. • Business Environment-Ethical Decisions: Students will develop an ability to deal with ethical decisions through the team project and class discussions. • Business Environment-Global and Domestic Economy: Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the global and domestic business environment through the team project and class discussions.

3

• Business Environment-Diversity: Students will analyze the implications and value of ethnic and cultural diversity for effective problem-solving through the team project and class discussions. • Functional Business Analyses and Applications: Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of the common body of teams and teamwork within the management discipline through exams, reflection essays, and the team project paper and presentation. Course Materials (Text, calculator, etc.) Byrd, M. & Megginson, L. (2009). Small Business Management: An Entrepreneur's Guide, Sixth Edition. (ISBN: 978-0073405070). There is a seventh edition of this book. I do not care which version you buy (I listed the sixth edition because it is less expensive and appears fairly easy to procure online). There may be minor page number discrepencies but the content is generally the same. Please buy the least expensive version possible (maybe not the first or second edition, but fifth or sixth should be adequate). If we happen to discover a discrepancy in content, you will not be penalized, but that has not ever happened in my experience. IMPORTANT: In addition to your textbook, this course will also require you to sign up for a Business Strategy Game account at https://www.interpretive.com/student_help/. These accounts cost around $30. This will give you access to a small business simulation that will take place over the last month of this course. You should receive an email regarding your account set up about a month into the semester. Because this simulation will represent a significant portion of your grade, you cannot pass this course without an account and every student will need one. This is your fair warning of this expense so please plan accordingly. Course Structure – PLEASE READ THIS PORTION CAREFULLY It can often be difficult to connect with an online class because it is so impersonal. Although some of you may have chosen this course for that very reason, I do my best to engage the class as much as possible. For the first eight weeks, I have structured my class so that each week’s module will be posted no latter than Thursday Morning (and I will do my best to post them on Wednesday). Modules will include: the week’s reading assignment, a study guide for the week’s reading, a thought question, the link to the reading quiz, any additional course material, and my weekly podcast for the course. During the first 8 weeks (with the expection of the two exam weeks) you will be expected to:

1) listen to the podcast (if applicable)

2) read the assignment while using the study guide (you do not turn the study guide in)

3) watch any additional material that was posted (if applicable)

4) take the reading quiz

5) answer and submit the thought question

4

There are two exams (see below for specifics). On the two exam weeks, there are no assigned readings, podcasts, or assignments. Simply study for and take the exam. As of October 31, the remainder of the class will be a simulation of small businesses where apply your knowledge from the first half of the corse, and you will take over managing a small business and compete directly with other students in the class. Twice each week you will need to make choices regarding a wide range of managerial decisions. PLEASE NOTE: these decision times are scheduled for Tuesday nights and Friday nights (see course schedule for specifics), but those choices can be made anytime after one decision time ends and the next begins (see Weekly Strategic Plan below for specifics.) The important thing to note is that you will be required to make two sets of decisions each week by the stated deadlines. Due to the nature of the simulation, you will not be able to work more than a a few days ahead during the simulation portion of the course. If you cannot commit to this, please drop the course. Before each decision, you will need to write and submit a brief strategic plan explaining why you made the decisions you made. At the end of the semester, your final will be a performance review of your small business. You will by graded both on your actual performance and on what you learned from the simulation. And that is this course. I know some parts of this course are a bit different, if you cannot commit to this schedule please drop early so someone from the waitlist can add. Course Grading Policies Grades will be evaluated and determined based on the following criteria.

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS

Assignment Points Possible

Reading quizzes (6 total but lowest dropped - 10 points each) 50

Thought Response (7 total - 5 points each) 30

Exams (2 total - 50 points each) 100

Individual Subtotal 180

SIMULATION

Assignment Points Possible

Intro Quiz 25

Quarterly Strategic Plan (8 total - 5 points each) 40

Simulation Performance 45

Performance Review 45

Group Subtotal 155

TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE 335

5

Reading Quizzes (50 points total – 10 points per quiz with lowest dropped). Due each Tuesday by 11:59 p.m. The worst thing that can happen in an online course is for you to fall behind. Weekly reading quizzes are the best way to make sure you are staying on top of the material. Each week, I will provide you with a study guide (that does not ever need to be turned in) on WTClass - Blackboard before your readings that should help guide and focus your readings and provide you with a nice study guide for the exams as well. These reading quizzes will be fairly straightforward and open book/note. The information can/will come from my weekly podcast, the readings, and/or any additional materials that I post in a module. Please review all material in a module before taking the quiz. CAUTION: simply looking for the quiz answers each week will not adequately prepare you for the exams. Thought Response (30 points total – 5 points per response). Due each Tuesday by 11:59 p.m. During the first eight weeks (with the exception of the exam weeks), I will propose a thought question. After you have taken the quiz for the week, you will respond to the thought question. I want you to treat the thought question as if I have called on you in class to answer this question. You do not need to support your thought response with facts from the text (although the course materials could inform it). You should read the question and respond with whatever comes to mind. This is a pass/fail grade, but I will be reading them each week. If you submit something but it is off topic, you will receive a zero on the assignment. Otherwise, I will not be grading the content. Why am I doing this? Your assignments are due on Tuesday nights for the first half of the semester (see course schedule for specifics). I plan to read your thought responses Wednesday morning and record a weekly podcast of my thoughts on both the thought question and the collective responses. I will also include an overview of the material that you are about to read for the next module. Exams (100 points – 50 points each). There are two exams for the course. The exams will consist of a variety of multiple choice questions. The exams are not cumulative (except where concepts are overarching for the course). Any material which is assigned for the class is subject to be included on an exam; this includes podcasts, PowerPoints, videos, class discussions, case studies, debates, and readings. Whereas the reading quizzes are straightforward, the exams are more applied. My exams are difficult so study accordingly. Simulation (155 points total) Because this course is a Small Business Management course, a significant portion of your grade for this course will be based on your performance in managing a virtual small business. For the simulation, you will strategize and execute a small business plan for a retail business. You will be responsible for all facets of the virtual business, and you will compete directly against your classmate’s small businesses. You will receive an email later in the semester to sign up for a Business Strategy Game account at https://www.interpretive.com/student_help/. These accounts cost around $30. This will give you access to a

6

small business simulation. Because this simulation will represent a significant portion of your grade, you cannot pass this course without an account and every student will need one. Simulation Intro Quiz (25 points). Due Oct. 31 by 11:59 pm. It will be impossible to succeed at this simulation if you do not understand how it works. There will be a tutorial on how the simulation works, and you will be required to take a quiz that tests your understanding of how the simulation works. Believe me – taking the time to understand the simulation will make the remainder of your semester much easier. Quarterly Strategic Plan (40 points - 5 points each). Due before each decision period during the simulation (twice a week beginning with the Quarter 1 on Nov. 10). You will first be given two practice quarters in which you can experiment with different decisions and strategies. Nothing will be due these weeks except making your decisions, and the practice weeks will not ultimately count for or against you. On Nov. 8 at 11:59 PM, the simulation will be reset. Beginning with the first real decision period (Quarter 1), you will submit a quarterly strategic plan to me via WTClass - Blackboard. You should briefly discuss (no more than a page) why you made each major decision for your small business. You should treat me as an investor, and convince me that the money I put into your business was a good investment. Cover the elements you believe are most important and leave off anything that seems less important. This assignment is pass/fail, but if you do not explain your decisions you will receive a zero for the assignment. Simulation Performance (45 points). I am literally grading you on how well your virtual company performs across six key metrics that are weighted as follows: Revenue – 20%, Profit – 30%, Stock Price – 20%, ROA – 10%, ROI – 10%, and ROS – 10%. The class will be randomly split into 3 ‘industries’ each consisting of approximately 10 businesses (students) that will compete against each other. At the end of the the simulation, you will be ranked from 1 to 10 within your industry (you will see these rankings every week but the ranking on the final week is the only one that ultimately matters for this grade). The top performer at the end of the simulation will receive the full 45 points. For everyone else, you will lose two points for every place below 1st. For example, 2nd place will lose 2 points for a score of 43, 5th place would lose 8 points for a score of 37, and 10th place would lose 18 points for a score of 27. There are three caveats:

1) If you miss any decisions you will be automatically docked 5 points for each miss from your Simulation

Performance score. I cannot go back to change decisions so do not miss them.

2) If you do poorly and your strategic plans demonstrate a lack of thought, you will lose points commensurate with

your lack of effort.

3) If you lose points based on your ranking, you can earn half of those points back. To earn half of those points

back, you must write me a one page memo (Due by December 12th at 11:59 PM) that shows you understand why

you are ranked where you are relative to others in your industry. If you can convince me that you understand, I

will give you half the points back (for example if you were in 10th place and lost 18 points, you would earn back 9

points). If I am only partially convinced, you will only receive partial points back.

7

Performance review (45 points). Due Dec. 14th at 11:59 PM. Instead of a final, you will turn in a performance review of your small business. There are two pieces to this performance review. For the first part, you will treat me like potential investor. Imagine that I am a wealthy angel investor who has asked for information about your small business with the intent to invest. I have asked you to construct a packet of information to help me make my decision. Without lieing, convince me that you are a good investment. You must give me the full picture, but accentuate the positive and attempt to turn negatives into past learning or future uptapped growth opportunities. Show me that you know why your business is successful (or why it will be successful) and how it will stay (be) successful for the long-term future. Use pictures, charts, graphs, text, etc. – anything to convey your message. Aim for around 2-4 pages althogether (including graphics). Just convince me that you are a good investment. This portion will be worth 20 points of the total grade. For the second part, you will treat me like a professor of Small Business Management. This should (hopefully) be easier to imagine. I want you to pick three things that you did well and three things you did poorly during the simulation. Discuss why the three things went well and discuss what you could have done differently regarding the three things done poorly. For each of the six items, make sure you pull from/discuss subject matter from the first half of the class to inform your opinion. Aim for between 2-3 pages. Just make sure you cover 6 points (3 good and 3 bad) and bring in at least one element from the first half of the class for each point (6 total). This portion will be worth 25 points of the total grade. Extra Credit. Extra credit may be offered at the discretion of the professor. Please do not ask for additional credit or assignments. Grade Policy. Please do not call the professor at the end of the semester begging for additional assignments or extensions for due dates for assignments, or requesting that your grade be bumped up to the next grade level. Your grade in this class is earned. It is not fair to others in the class to request exceptions to the grading policies. Thus, should you call the professor with these requests, the professor will decline to have such a conversation with students. Because issues of fairness and justice for all students are at stake, the professor absolutely will not adjust your grade up just because you ask for an exception to the grading policies stated in this syllabus and online on WTClass-Blackboard. The only exception to this policy is if the professor made an error in grade entry or some other mistake that affects a student’s grade.

8

Course Schedule

DATE TOPIC READING

Aug. 29 Course Intro Read Syllabus and watch First podcast

Sept. 5 Structure

Ch. 3 Forms of Ownership of Small Businesses Ch. 4 Maintaining Good Government relations and Business Ethics

Sept. 12 Business Strategy Ch. 5 Becoming an Owner of a Small Business Ch. 8 Developing Marketing Strategies

Sept. 19 Planning and Financing Ch. 6 Planning Organizing and Managing a Small Business Ch. 7 How To Obtain the Right Fianncing

Sept. 26 Exam 1 Study

Oct. 3 Human Resources Ch. 10 How to Obtain and Manage Human Resources Ch. 11 How to Maintain Relationships with Employees

Oct. 10 Operations Ch. 12 Obtaining and Laying Out Facitilities Ch. 13 Purchasing, Inventory, and Quality Control

Oct. 17 Financial Planning Ch. 14 Basic Financial Planning Ch. 15 Budgeting and Controlling Operations and Taxes

Oct. 24 Exam 2 Study

Oct. 31 Simulation Overview Simulation Intro Quiz

9

Nov. 3 Practice Quarter 1

Nov. 7 Practice Quarter 2

Nov. 10 Quarter 1 Quarter 1 Strategic Plan and Decision

Nov. 14 Quarter 2 Quarter 2 Strategic Plan and Decision

Nov. 17 Quarter 3 Quarter 3 Strategic Plan and Decision

Nov. 21 Quarter 4 Quarter 4 Strategic Plan and Decision

Nov. 24 Thanksgiving

Nov. 28 Quarter 5 Quarter 5 Strategic Plan and Decision

Dec. 1 Quarter 6 Quarter 6 Strategic Plan and Decision

Dec. 5 Quarter 7 Quarter 7 Strategic Plan and Decision

Dec. 8 Quarter 8 Quarter 8 Strategic Plan and Decision

Dec. 11-15 Finals Perfromance Review Due Dec. 14 by 11:59 PM

10

Attendance. The professor should be notified a week prior to the class date of any potential missed assignments or deadlines (based upon the timing and the situation). Grade Challenges. You may challenge the grade you receive on an assignment by submitting a written grade challenge within three days of receiving your grade. Your challenge must be a coherent and well-constructed submission. Submitting a grade challenge does not automatically mean that you will receive the points you are challenging. The professor may contact you regarding your challenge and/or require a meeting to discuss your challenge. Turning in Assignments. All assignments should be submitted in the format indicated by the professor. Assignments will be submitted via WTClass. In these cases, students will receive prior instruction regarding the format and deadline for submission. DO NOT submit assignments via e-mail unless instructed by the professor to do so. Late Policy. The penalty for late assignments is 10% of the point value of the assignment per day that the assignment is late including weekends. Late assignments should be uploaded to the make-up assignments folder in WTClass. DO NOT SUBMIT A MAKE-UP ASSIGNMENT BY E-MAIL UNLESS THE PROFESSOR ASKS YOU TO DO SO. Student Cautions. Remember that this is a senior-level course. Expect a rigorous course geared to this level. Thus, this is an information intensive course. Please don’t expect to start out well, “coast” for most of the course, and then “pull it out” at the last minute. In order to achieve an excellent grade, you should remain consistently very good to excellent throughout the course. Your grade depends not upon your time and/or effort but upon the outcomes of that time and effort as measured by the course requirements and assignments outlined above. Strategies for Success. Successful strategies for passing the course include “attending” class (maning complete your modules, participating in learning activities (meaning stay active and engaged with the simulation), taking detailed and thorough notes of readings, active reading of the assigned articles and book chapters, turning in assignments on time, studying appropriately for exams, and taking the exams. In order to do well in the course, you must complete the previous strategies consistently and with excellence. Reading. You are expected to complete all readings prior to the start of the class period during which the reading is due. Effective and active reading of the chapters and articles includes reading the assignment completely, taking notes on the main ideas, and relating the ideas presented to the in- class lectures and discussions. Active reading requires you to think about what you are reading, transform it into your own words, and then reinforce it through writing. Civility in the Classroom. Students are expected to assist in maintaining a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. In the course, please have an open mind. You are not expected to share the views of others or of the instructor, but you are expected to be open to new concepts and ideas. Respect your classmates as well as your instructor by considering their point-of-view and then expressing your own in an

11

appropriate manner. Intellectual engagement should be focused on relevant ideas, concepts, and principles, rather than aimed at people. Class Cancellation. If class should be cancelled for any reason, all readings/assignments/exams for both the missed day(s) and the current day will be due on the day that classes resume. Professor Availability. The professor will try to respond to e-mails and calls within 24-48 hours Monday-Friday. There may be exceptions to this policy depending on circumstances and schedules. Unless it is an urgent matter, the professor will not respond to e-mails on the weekends. Additionally, the professor tries to maintain an adequate work-life balance. Thus, any e-mails sent after 5 p.m. will not be answered until the next workday. This is particularly important to note for days when assignments are due. Please ask questions about assignments early, rather than at the last minute. WTAMU COB Student Code of Ethics Each student enrolled in COB courses accepts personal responsibility to uphold and defend academic integrity and to promote an atmosphere in which all individuals may flourish. The COB Student Code of Ethics strives to set a standard of honest behavior that reflects well on students, the COB and West Texas A&M University. All students enrolled in business courses are expected to follow the explicit behaviors detailed in the Student Code of Ethics. Code of Ethics

Do not use notes, texts, solution manuals, or other aids for a quiz or exam without instructor authorization.

Do not copy the work of others and/or allow others to view your answers or copy your work during a quiz, exam, or on homework assignments.

Do not allow other parties to assist in the completion of your quiz, exam, homework, paper, or project when not permitted.

Do not work with other students on projects or assignments without authorization from the course instructor.

Properly cite and specifically credit the source of text, graphic, and web materials in papers, projects, or other assignments.

Do not forge the signature of an instructor, advisor, dean, or another student.

Provide truthful information for class absences when asking faculty for excused absences or for a make-up for a quiz, exam, or homework.

Provide truthful information on your resume including work history, academic performance, leadership activities, and membership in student organizations.

Respect the property, personal rights, and learning environment of all members of the academic community.

Live up to the highest ethical standards in all academic and professional endeavors.

Students violating the Student Code of Ethics will be reported to the Dean’s office and are subject to penalties described in the West Texas A&M University Code of Student Life, which may include suspension from the

12

University. In addition, a violator of the Student Code of Ethics may become ineligible for participation in student organizations sponsored by the COB and for recognition for College academic honors, awards, and scholarships. COB Student Resources Link The COB has developed a Student Resources repository (e.g., APA writing style information, business core reviews, facilities, and other helpful supplements), which can be found on the COB Website. Additionally, WTAMU has developed an Academic Study Skills information site to assist students (e.g., study habits, supplemental instruction, tutoring, writing and math skills), which can be found on the WTAMU Website. For WTAMU Writing Center information (for students needing writing assistance, guidance, and feedback), please visit their website. COB Communications Component Students earning a BBA degree must complete at least one course with a communications component as part of the business core requirements. The COB communications component is a requirement in the following courses: ACCT 4373 (Accounting Communications), BUSI 4333 (Cross-Cultural Issues in Business Communications), BUSI 4350 (Current Issues in Management Communications), BUSI 4380 (Conflict Resolution and Negotiation), BUSI 4382 (Emerging Media Law), CIDM 3320 (Digital Collaboration and Communication), ECON 4370 (Economics of Health Care), FIN 3350 (Personal Financial Planning), FIN 4320 (Investments), FIN 4321 (Portfolio Theory), MGT 3335 (Organizational Behavior), MGT 4380 (Conflict Resolution and Negotiation), and MKT 3342 (Consumer Behavior). Students in a communications component course are explicitly required to demonstrate knowledge of communication skills. Specific objectives may include but are not limited to the following concepts put forth by the National Business Education Association: (1) ability to organize a written and an oral message coherently and effectively, (2) ability to use technology for communication, (3) ability to research a topic, prepare a report, and present the findings to all organizational levels, and (4) ability to demonstrate critical-thinking skills. Specific course requirements and the role of the communications component with respect to student grading policy are at the discretion of the course instructor of record. Student Travel Opportunities In multiple business courses, there may be opportunities for student travel supplemented by student fees. If you have an interest in such opportunities as they become available, please notify a faculty member. Dropping/Repeating the Course Should a student decide to drop the course, it is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the final drop dates and adhere to the WTAMU Add/Drop policy. Any student participating in the course after the WTAMU posted drop date will be considered active and a grade will be administered at the end of the course for that student. Students are charged a fee for any course attempted for a third or subsequent time at WTAMU other than a non-degree credit developmental course or exempted courses.

13

Scholastic Dishonesty It is the responsibility of students and instructors to help maintain scholastic integrity at the University by refusing to participate in or tolerate scholastic dishonesty. Commission of any of the following acts shall constitute scholastic dishonesty. This listing is not exclusive of any other acts that may reasonably be said to constitute scholastic dishonesty: acquiring or providing information for any assigned work or examination from any unauthorized source; informing any person or persons of the contents of any examination prior to the time the examination is given in subsequent sections of the course or as a makeup; plagiarism; submission of a paper or project that is substantially the same for two courses unless expressly authorized by the instructor to do so; submission of a paper or project prepared by another student as your own. You are responsible for being familiar with the University's Academic Integrity Code, as well as the COB Student Code of Ethics listed in this document. Academic Integrity

All work must be completed individually unless otherwise stated. Commission of any of the following acts shall constitute scholastic dishonesty: acquiring or providing information for any assigned work or examination from any unauthorized source; informing any person or persons of the contents of any examination prior to the time the exam is given in any subsequent sections of the course or as a makeup; plagiarism; submission of a paper or project that is substantially the same for two courses unless expressly authorized by the instructor to do so. For more information, see the Code of Student Life.

Viewpoints/External Websites Disclaimer The views expressed in this document, web-based course materials, and/or classroom presentations and discussions are those of the professor and do not necessarily represent the views of West Texas A&M University, its faculty and staff, or its students. Views expressed by students are likewise those of the person making such statements. It is understood and expected that each individual within this course will respect and allow individual difference of opinion. Neither the professor, the COB, nor WTAMU are responsible for the content of external websites discussed in the classroom and/or linked to via online course materials, emails, message boards, or other means. Referred websites are for illustrative purposes only, and are neither warranted nor endorsed by the professor, COB, or WTAMU. Web pages change frequently, as does domain name ownership. While every effort is made to ensure proper referencing, it is possible that students may on occasion find materials to be objectionable for reasons beyond our control. Acceptable Student Behavior Classroom behavior should not interfere with the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to learn from the instructional program (Code of Student Life). Unacceptable or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior may be instructed to leave the classroom. Inappropriate behavior may result in disciplinary action or referral to the University’s Behavioral Intervention Team. This prohibition applies to all instructional forums, including electronic, classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc.

14

Technology Requirements All technological requirements for the successful completion of this course are the responsibility of the student, including access to a working computer and or to a device with secure broadband Internet connection, data storage and retrieval, and state-of-the-art security. The student is responsible for all technological problems not related to WTAMU, including but not limited to equipment failures, power outages, and Internet breakdowns. Furthermore, students are responsible for all necessary technical and operational skills for completing this course, and for being familiar with WTClass (the Blackboard Learning System) both in a general sense and in a specific sense as pertaining to this course and any materials stored within. The professor is not responsible for any technical matters related to WTClass. Students must contact WTClass if they have problems accessing and/or using the WTClass environment. Physical or Educational Access - ADA Statement West Texas A&M University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified persons with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with Student Disability Services (SDS) and to contact faculty members in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodations. Contact Information: Student Success Center, CC 106; phone 806-651-2335. Title IX Statement West Texas A&M University is committed to providing a learning, working and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free of sexual misconduct and discrimination. Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender are Civil Rights offenses subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as race, national origin, etc. Harassment is not acceptable. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you can find the appropriate resources

here:

WTAMU Title IX Coordinator Becky Lopez – Kilgore Research Center 147, or call 806.651.3199

WTAMU Counseling Services – Classroom Center 116, or call 806.651.2340

WTAMU Police Department – 806.651.2300, or dial 911

24-hour Crisis Hotline – 800.273.8255, or 806.359.6699, or 800.692.4039

Visit the Notalone website For more information, see the Code of Student Life.

WT Attendance Policy for Core Curriculum Classes For the purposes of learning assessment and strategic planning, all students enrolled in Core Curriculum or developmental courses at West Texas A&M University must swipe their Buff Gold cards through the card reader installed in the classroom/lab for each class/lab meeting.

15

Evacuation Statement If you receive notice to evacuate the building, please evacuate promptly but in an orderly manner. Evacuation routes are posted in various locations indicating all exits, outside assemble area, location of fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations and emergency telephone numbers (651.5000 or 911). In the event an evacuation is necessary; evacuate immediately do not use elevators; take all personal belongings with you; report to outside assembly area and wait for further information; students needing assistance in the evacuation process should bring this to the attention of the instructor at the beginning of the semester. If you are taking this course off campus, please be aware of your surroundings and always make note of any emergency exits or posted evacuation plans. Copyright All original content in this document, all web-based course materials (be they text, audio, and/or video), and/or classroom presentations are subject to copyright provisions. No distribution without the express written consent of the author. Students are prohibited from selling (or being paid for taking) notes during this course to or by any person or commercial firm without the express written permission of the professor.

Syllabus template approved by COB Curriculum Committee May 2017. Annual review of the syllabus is a formal part of the COB continuous improvement process.