School Policies

The following guidelines will help you understand what Hadley expects of you and what you can expect of Hadley.

When planning your assignment submission schedule, expect feedback on assignments sent through the mail to take about 10 days. For emailed assignments, plan on four business days, although the turnaround time is often shorter.

In an effort to avoid computer viruses and spam, emailed lesson submissions must include the course name and lesson number directly in the subject line. Failure to include this information may lead to your instructor inadvertently discarding your assignment.

Submit one assignment at a time to your Hadley instructor. You are encouraged to continue your studies; however, do not send the next lesson until you receive and carefully review the feedback from your instructor. Submitting multiple assignments at once may result in all but the first assignment being returned ungraded.

To avoid being canceled from the course, send your first lesson assignment or course-related communication within 30 days of enrollment.

Review the welcome letter that accompanies your Hadley course. The welcome letter contains important information about how to complete the course and submit assignments.

Every Hadley instructor is available by toll-free phone and by email to help you with any questions you have about course content. Emails and voicemails are generally returned within one business day. Instructor contact information is included with every course.

Hadley faculty and staff will treat you with courtesy. The same is expected of you.

Hadley provides an 800 number for your convenience. Please make your telephone calls as concise as possible.

The email addresses of Hadley instructors are to be used only for questions about Hadley or courses and to submit assignments. Never send jokes or forward chain email.

We are happy to work with students on school- or course-related concerns. We are not able to counsel students on personal matters.

Give us time to meet your request—calling repeatedly often slows down the process.

Enroll in a course at a time when you are able to commit the time and diligence needed for its completion.

Rather than contacting Student Services or your instructor regarding posted grades, we ask that you utilize the Online Automated Student Information System (OASIS) for easy online access to your grades and courses taken. Follow this link to learn more about OASIS.

Hadley Certificates of Achievement are prepared after your Hadley instructor submit final assignment grade. Certificates are sent by mail and may take up to two weeks to arrive. Certificates of Achievement are not faxed or emailed.

Taking Multiple Courses Concurrently
Students in good standing may enroll in multiple courses. "Students in good standing" refers to students who have at least three assignments graded by the instructor for their current course and whose grades are in the Hadley database. These grades must be a B or better, or satisfactory for courses that use the satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading system. The three most recent assignment grades are taken into account first. In addition, students must have a record of turning in assignments on time as well as a history of completing their Hadley courses. Students may be in no more than three courses simultaneously.

Secure Your Own Equipment
The Hadley School does not provide basic equipment or supplies. You are responsible for obtaining equipment and supplies, such as cassette players and recorders, blank cassettes, braillewriters, typewriters, paper and envelopes. Students not eligible for free matter mailing must include postage on all mailings to the school. In some cases, extra postage may be necessary and is the full responsibility of the student.

Use of Hadley Materials
Hadley course materials are for the sole use of its students. They should not to be duplicated, sold or otherwise transferred. Respecting the copyright notices in all Hadley material is required for continued enrollment in the school.

Return of Course Materials
Return course materials only when instructed to do so. Never return course materials before receiving the instructor's feedback on the final assignment. Clear instructions for returning materials will be provided, if necessary.

Should you choose not to take a course after receiving it or if your enrollment in a course is canceled, return the unused materials to the mailroom at The Hadley School for the Blind.

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is taken very seriously. If you provide answers to assignments that are taken directly from the course or other documents without citing the source or using quotation marks, the assignment will be returned with no grade and you will be asked to redo it using your own words. If you plagiarize a second time, the assignment will be given a grade of F. If there is a third occurrence of plagiarism, disciplinary action will be taken, up to and including expulsion from the school. Plagiarism does not apply to short-answer responses or a listing of items. However, copying entire paragraphs from the course or other sources, when asked to provide essay answers in your own words, is considered plagiarism.

Nonstart and Cancellation

If you do not start or you cancel your enrollment from a course, one of the following codes (NS or X) will be recorded in your permanent transcript. Note: If a combination of any two nonstarts or cancellations occurs in succession, you will be prohibited from enrolling in another course for three months. A history of nonstarts, cancellations and withdrawals may result in your enrollment in the school being revoked.

Nonstart (NS)
You are considered to be a nonstart if you fail to submit a lesson or communication within two months of enrollment. A grade of NS will appear on your transcript.

Cancellation (X)
A cancellation is recorded on your transcript if you fail to submit assignments in a timely manner, seriously neglect coursework or consistently perform poorly. Either the student or the instructor can initiate a cancellation.