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Student Handbook

The student handbook contains information on:

• Administration Office
• Reporting Information
• Parking
• Attendance Policy
• Class Hours
• Inclement Weather
• Dress Policy
• Telephone Services
• Security
• Lost and Found
• Educational Procedures and Requirements
• Non-Attribution Policy
• Academic Standards and Grading
• Academic Integrity
• Course Evaluation
• Lodging in the Washington, DC area
• NDU Library
• Post Office

The Information Resources Management (IRM) College Administration Office
The IRM College Administration Office is located at the south end of Marshall Hall in room 145. Administration hours are from 0730 to 1630.

Reporting Information
For entry onto Ft. McNair, students must have a current driver's license or military ID on their person or DoD decals on their vehicle. Other IDs will not be accepted (e.g. Pentagon or Agency badge). All non-DoD students should tell the gate guard that they are students at the IRM College when showing their driver's license.

Once on post, students should report to Marshall Hall no later than 0745 on the first day of class for in-processing. Students should use the front door of Marshall Hall. This door is open from 0700 to 1700. In-processing begins at 0715 near the front door in the Atrium. During in-processing each student will be issued a security badge. Students must wear these badges in a clearly visible place while they are inside Marshall Hall.

Parking
Parking is available at the north end of Marshall Hall, next to the Lincoln Hall construction site. Parking passes must be displayed at all times. There are no reserved parking spaces.

Attendance Policy
Students are expected to participate in all scheduled class sessions and activities as a prerequisite to the award of the course certificate. The College will not issue a course certificate if a student misses more than five percent of the class time or if the student misses critical portions of the course.

Absence from class activities degrades the continuity and effectiveness of the educational process for all involved. Accordingly, absences may be authorized only under the most extenuating circumstances. Students are responsible for any course work missed.

The Course Manager must approve all absences. In cases requiring emergency absence for medical or other serious reasons, authorization should be obtained in advance of the absence whenever possible.

Class Hours
Classes start at 0800 and end by 1700 each day. The exception is Friday when classes are typically released by 1530. Breaks are scheduled throughout the day. Students are expected to be prompt and prepared for all classes.

Inclement Weather
When adverse weather conditions in the Washington, DC area necessitate closing federal offices, the University will also close. Students should call (202) 685-4700 from an off campus phone to obtain guidance. Press option #2 at the voice menu.

Dress Policy
Military and civilian personnel are expected to exemplify professional standards of dress and appearance. A business suit with tie or conservative sport coat with tie is considered appropriate dress for men; commensurate attire is expected of women. Military students may wear either the class B uniform or civilian attire as described above. Some events will require military students to wear the Dress Uniform.

When in uniform, cover is worn when coming and going from the parking lots or transiting the area (e.g., walking from Marshall Hall to the Officers' Club).

Telephone Services

Incoming Calls:
Incoming calls for students should be made to the following number during regular business hours (0730-1700).

• Commercial: (202) 685-6300
• DSN: 325-6300
  
  

Notices of phone calls for students are posted on a message board located in the hallway outside the classroom. Students are contacted immediately for emergency calls.

Dialing from University phones:

• To dial DSN, dial 94 then the DSN number.
• To dial a commercial number, dial 99 then the area code and number, as appropriate.
• A pay phone is located in room 192, Marshall Hall.

Security
Students must have a property pass to remove government property from the building. The Offering Leader will issue the appropriate pass.

All personal property should be secured at all times. Do not leave purses or wallets in the classroom during breaks. Do not leave personal articles and clothing in the building overnight.

Lost and Found
Report or turn in lost/found articles to the security guard on duty in the building where the article was lost/found. If theft of an item is suspected, first check to see if it has been turned in to the security guard. If not, notify the IRM College Administration Office, the NDU Security Office, and the Ft. McNair military police (MPs). After the MPs complete their report, the case is turned over to Ft. Myer for investigation. When the investigation is completed, a claim can be made against the government. Government claims require two estimates of loss with the SF 95 when filing at the Ft. Myer Claims Office (703) 696-0761. In general, the government will not pay a claim unless the property was secured at the time it was stolen.

Educational Procedures and Requirements
The IRM College recognizes that its students bring a wealth of knowledge and experience with them. Accordingly, the College's courses are structured to obtain the maximum exchange of views among faculty and students. Key to this learning process is student preparation and active participation in course discussions and practical exercises.

The College provides course guides that describe the scope, objectives, and topics for each lesson, and that specify requirements to be completed prior to each session.

Course hours include lectures, seminars, question-and-answer sessions with guest speakers, panel discussions, and student exercises. Students should plan on a minimum of one to two hours of preparation for each day's lessons. Preparation time includes required readings, case studies, and development of student presentations.

Students may keep certain materials provided for the course. The Offering Leader will indicate what materials must be returned.

Non-Attribution Policy
Presentations by guest speakers, panelists, and renowned public officials and scholars constitute an important part of the curriculum. In order that these guests, as well as faculty and other officials, may speak candidly, the College offers its assurance that presentations will be held in strict confidence. This assurance derives from a policy of non-attribution that is morally binding on all who attend. Without the expressed permission of the speakers, nothing they say may be attributed to them directly or indirectly in the presence of anyone who was not authorized to attend the presentation. This policy is not intended to preclude references by students and faculty within the academic environment to opinions expressed by speakers; however, courtesy, good judgment, and the non-attribution policy preclude citing those views, even if the speaker is not identified by name, even when questioning subsequent guests. Specifically, the non-attribution policy provides that:

• Classified information gained during these presentations may be cited only in accordance with the rules applicable to its classification. Additionally, without consent, neither the speaker nor the College may be identified as the originator or source of the information.
• Unclassified information gained during lectures, briefings, and panels may be used freely within the academic environment; however, without consent, neither the speaker nor the College may be identified as the originator of the information.

Academic Standards and Grading
Academic Year 2004-2005 (Oct. 1, 2004- Sept. 30, 2005)
All IRM College students must demonstrate attainment of a certain level of intellectual competence in course or program topics. For those students completing courses for academic credit, the faculty formally evaluate student demonstrations of achievement of objectives. Standards used to evaluate student performance are as follows:

• Seminar Performance
• Above Standards: Has consistently completed and demonstrated comprehension of all required readings for each lesson, as well as some supplemental material. Has identified issues and is prepared to discuss them in class. Exceptional qualities of leadership, but comfortably accepts support role when appropriate. Always demonstrates awareness of actions. Is an attentive listener who builds on points made by others. Stimulates thoughts in other students and draws them out.
  
  Consistently demonstrates innovative thinking that stretches the minds of others. Demonstrates the highest levels of thinking, including synthesis and evaluation. Asks questions that cause others to think. Quickly analyzes a problem, its issues, and alternative solutions. Oral presentations are clearly thought out and well-organized; arguments are tightly constructed; anticipates potential questions. Speaks in an articulate, confident, and persuasive manner.



• Meets Standards: Usually completes required readings for each lesson. Identifies most of the issues to be discussed and is ready to contribute. Is a team player; carries his/her share. Can either lead or follow. Gets group to work together without mandates. Stays focused on group goals. Appropriately participates in discussions. Respects the views and ideas of others. Usually shows thoughtful analysis and evaluation of subject. Understands pros and cons. Uses sound reasoning. Oral presentations are professional and communicate points and arguments clearly, and cover all major points. Speaks clearly and coherently.



• Below Standards: Frequently does not complete the required readings. Does not fully understand the issues to be discussed because of lack of preparation. Is not a team player. Is inflexible or unwilling to take assigned role. May not support group goals. May be impatient, patronizing, or impolite. Listens poorly; does not give others a chance to speak. Relies on personal experience for participation rather than synthesis of other ideas. Frequently monopolizes the discussion. Often fails to identify the real problem or issues in a situation. Sometimes misses the point of the discussion. Demonstrates little or no innovative thinking. Oral presentations demonstrate lack of preparation; material lacks clarity, completeness and unity. Lacks confidence when speaking; rambles.



• Incomplete: The student did not complete academic requirements by the original due date and submitted a written request for an extension to faculty prior to the original due date. Approved extensions will typically be two to three weeks. The Incomplete remains part of the final grade, e.g. a grade of I/M means the student was initially awarded a grade of Incomplete and subsequently completed academic requirements that met standards set for course requirements.



• Professional Development: A grade of PD is given to all students accepted in the General Studies academic plan who meet the attendance/participation requirements. General Studies Program students who are accepted into a certificate program may be afforded the opportunity to earn another grade for a course by completing its academic requirements.



• Withdraw: The student requested withdrawal from the class after the start date.



• No Show: The student did not report for a scheduled class for which he/she is enrolled.


Writing Ability


• Above Standards: Content clearly addresses all requirements and includes analysis beyond required issues. Clearly demonstrates full understanding of all principles, concepts, and issues. Applies concepts easily to new situations. Composition is tightly organized and well honed. Persuasive argumentation; well reasoned, with good supporting evidence. Excellent development of theme; good transitions between sections and paragraphs. Uses well crafted sentences; always demonstrates proper use and choice of words.



• Meets Standards: Content completely addresses all requirements. Demonstrates understanding of most principles, concepts, and issues. Synthesizes information from various sources. Writes logically and persuasively. Ideas and concepts are organized and understandable. Communicates points and arguments clearly. Demonstrates effective writing and use of standard English. Uses correct English grammar and word choice. Mechanics are correct.



• Below Standards: Content does not address all requirements. Has difficulty understanding and synthesizing the material presented. Does not fully comprehend the basic concepts and often misapplies them in new situations. Jumps to conclusions and fails to examine all alternative courses of action. Organization and logical flow flawed. Discussion and arguments incomplete or one-sided. Writing uneven in clarity, lacking in unity, and sparse in evidence. Contains excessive errors and sloppy work.

Academic Year 2005-2006 (Oct. 1, 2005- Sept. 30, 2006)
Beginning with the 2005/2006 Academic Year, the IRM College will implement a new grading system as follows:

• A : Work of exceptional quality at the executive/graduate level.


• A- : Work of very high quality at the executive/graduate level.


• B+: Work of high quality at the executive/graduate level.


• B: Work of acceptable quality at the executive/graduate level.


• No Credit (NC)
  
  When this grade is assigned, the student does not receive academic credit for the course. This grade is applicable to students in a program (normally other than General Studies) and is used when:
  
  
• Attendance/participation requirements are not met.
• Academic requirements are not submitted on time (submitted after original due date with no written request for an extension, or extension granted but requirements not submitted by new due date).
• Students enrolled in distributed learning (DL) courses do not participate by the end of the third week and are dropped by the faculty.
• Students withdraw after 25 percent of the course has been taught (e-Resident or DL).
• Students do not meet academic requirements on resubmission of an unacceptable academic requirement.


• 
  Incomplete (I) This grade is assigned to a student when the student:


• Is granted an extension to submit the academic requirements (usually a final paper and/or project). If a student needs an extension, he/she must submit a request in writing to the faculty member who is the Offering Leader for the class prior to the assignment deadline. The written request must provide acceptable reasons for an extension and a proposed deadline for submission. Approved extensions are typically for two to three weeks.
• Submits the academic requirement on time but receives a grade below a B. The student normally is given one to two weeks to resubmit the academic requirement.
  
  In either case, the highest possible final grade the student can obtain is a B+. A student wishing an additional extension past the original extension granted by the offering leader may submit a request with proper justification to IRMCExceptionRequest@ndu.edu.
• 
  Withdraw (W)
• This grade is assigned when the student requests withdrawal from a class after the start date but before 25 percent of the course has been conducted. The request to withdraw must be submitted in writing to the Offering Leader of the class. A grade of “W” is entered. A request to withdraw after 25 percent of the course has been conducted results in a grade of “No Credit.”
• 
  Professional Development (PD)


• General Studies Program. PD is assigned to students accepted in the General Studies academic program who complete the precourse requirements as well as the attendance/participation requirements (at least 95 percent of the scheduled class time), but do not complete the remaining academic requirements. This is a permanent grade and will not be changed.
• Certificate Programs. Students in certificate programs are given an option to enroll for credit or PD. A grade of “Audit” is earned if the student meets the attendance/participation requirements. To gain academic credit for a course previously taken for professional development, a student must retake the course and complete the academic requirements at that time. Students may not complete the final academic requirements at a later date to gain credit for the course.


NOTE: Students who participated in courses before Academic Year 2003/2004 and did not complete academic requirements necessary to earn a grade have been assigned a grade of “Audit” for those courses.


• OTHER ANNOTATIONS:
• No Show (NS)
• Registered students who do not report for a scheduled class earn a grade of “NS”, an annotation that does not become part of a student’s official transcript. A student who receives two grades of NS will be prohibited from enrolling for six months.

Academic Integrity
1. Purpose.   To establish clear expectations for student products submitted to fulfill course assessment for academic credit and the procedures to handle cases of non-compliance with the policy.
2. Scope.   The work submitted by students in fulfillment of course requirements must be original work and must follow standard conventions for citing other sources.
3. Procedures.

a. Papers and/or projects developed by a student to fulfill IRMC course requirements are to be original work that is produced by the student for the first time while a student at the IRM College to fulfill those requirements. The product is not a revision or modification of a previously developed paper/project and is produced while in a student status. The original work contains the student’s own ideas and analysis except as documented by appropriate citations. Intentional or unintentional use of another’s idea or product without properly crediting the source in written or oral requirements is not acceptable.

b. Work submitted by a student that does not meet the definition of original work will be referred to the Dean of Faculty and Academic Programs who makes a determination whether it is a matter for the Academic Review Board (see policy of same name). If the action is not forwarded to the Board, the Dean of Faculty and Academic Programs determines appropriate action.

c. Faculty should copy and paste the following statement into course syllabi.  This will ensure that students are apprised of the IRM College academic integrity policy.

COLLEGE POSITION STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
The College expects all requirements submitted by each student to be original work, produced by the student for the first time while a student at the IRM College. The product should contain the student’s own ideas and analysis except as documented by appropriate citations, and must be submitted for academic credit only once to satisfy course requirements. Work submitted cannot be a modification of a paper or presentation submitted for a previous course, and must contain the student’s own ideas except as correctly and fully cited.

Plagiarism is the unauthorized use, intentional or unintentional, of intellectual work of another person without providing proper credit to the author. While most commonly associated with writing, all types of scholarly work, including computer code, speeches, slides, music, scientific data and analysis, and electronic publications are not to be plagiarized.  Students are encouraged to submit their papers and assessments through SafeAssignment found in the Student Success Course in Blackboard prior to turning them in for grading.

Students are required to provide accurate and documentable information about their educational and professional backgrounds. If a student is admitted to the College with false credentials, he or she will be sanctioned.

Suspected violations of the academic integrity policy of the IRM College are referred to the Academic Review Board. Sanctions range from expulsion, suspension, revocation of certificates, a grade of no credit with a transcript notation of “academic dishonesty,” rejection of the work submitted for credit, or a letter of admonishment. The authority for decisions and actions rests at the College.

The student’s sponsoring service or organization may be notified about a violation of the College’s Academic Integrity policy which may have serious consequences for his or her security clearance and continued employment.

Course Evaluation
An important component of the IRM College's efforts to offer timely and high quality programs is the end-of-course assessment provided by the students. The survey program provides students the opportunity to assess how well the course meets its goals and intended outcomes. Intensive courses are surveyed at the end of the course. Survey results are shared with the faculty and the Curriculum Committee and used as a basis for future course revisions.

Lodging in the Washington, DC. Area
Out-of-town students should take special consideration in reference to their travel, BOQ/VOQ, and hotel/motel accommodations because the large concentration of government and the many tourist attractions make this area popular. Students should make reservations for both travel and accommodations as soon as possible to ensure their availability.

There are no government-furnished quarters or messing facilities available at Fort McNair. Temporary quarters may be secured through the Army's Lodging Success Program at 1 (800) 462-7691 (mandatory for U.S. Army students) or through BOQ/VOQ offices listed below.

Reservations are accepted for BOQ/VOQ accommodations for all military services. Reservations should be made as far in advance as possible. Making reservations at least one month prior to your scheduled arrival is recommended.

Andrews Air Force Base: In Maryland suburbs, off I-95, approximately 10 miles from Fort McNair. NOTE: Government transportation is not available from Andrews to Fort McNair.

(301) 981-4614 DSN: 858-4614

Bolling Air Force Base: In the SW section of Washington, DC, off I-295, approximately 3 miles from Fort McNair. NOTE: Government transportation is not available from Bolling to Fort McNair.

(202) 767-5316/5771 DSN: 297-5316/5771

Fort Myer: In Virginia, near the Pentagon, approximately 10 miles from Fort McNair. Metrobus and Metrorail services are available to Fort McNair (703) 696-3576/3577 DSN: 426-3576/3577

Lodging Success Program Hotels
The participants in the Army's Lodging Success Program can provide limited shuttle service to and from the Pentagon and other work sites as well as rates and availability of hotels and motels.

NDU Library
The library, located in Marshall Hall, is open Monday through Friday from 0600 to 1800. Weekend hours ocassionally are posted. In addition to subscribing to 1300 periodical titles, the library offers a collection of 500,000 titles in paper copy, microform, electronic, and audio-visual formats. There is also a large collection of national and international newspapers.

The library offers on-line search capabilities to LEXIS-NEXIS, DIALOG (500 + databases), CQ Washington Alert, OCLC, Joint Electronic Library, DTIC, DLSIE, InfoSouth, and NDU IQ (the library's on-line public catalog). In addition, the library has FirstSearch, which offers access to WorldCat, the largest library catalog in the world, and other general interest databases.

To complement the on-line search capabilities, the library’s CD-ROM network is available on NDUNet. CD-ROM products available for searching include Delorme X-Map, Microsoft Bookshelf, Military Personnel Base Locator, Books in Print, Phone Disc, and many others.

The library includes information specific to the curriculum and needs of the IRM College. It includes a large collection of books, documents, and over 100 journals that focus on automated information systems, computer and communications technology, and program management. The library's reference section includes titles such as Datapro Information Services and Data Decision Information Service, as well as government-issued publications relating to information management such as the FIPS and FIRMR.

The Classified Documents Center, located in room 316 of the library, has a collection of over 10,000 documents available to authorized IRM College personnel and students.

IRM College students are welcome to use library materials, study rooms, and equipment. Special texts for some courses are available in the reserve room. General information about the library and its policies can be obtained by calling (202) 685-6100.

Post Office
A branch office is located in building 29 (202-523-2144), just inside the main gate. Hours of operation are 0815 to 1300 and 1400 to 1615 Monday through Friday. The facility is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Electronic Tools

Blackboard

uNET

NDU Library

Interactive Schedule