FAQ for Everyone Else (parents, media, community, etc.)
What’s a DeCal?
They are pass / no-pass courses, facilitated by students and sponsored by faculty.
What’s the DeCal Board? Who are you?
We are students. We operate this website and work with the university to help train / advise students on the process. We have no real authority, though everyone thinks we do.
How does a DeCal work, bureaucratically?
A faculty member sponsors a student’s course as a 98 / 198 section. That faculty member, as far as the computer systems and transcripts are concerned, is the “instructor of record.” At the end of the semester, the student will provide grade “recommendations” for the faculty sponsor, who will then do the actual grade inputting.
… So who’s responsibility is it?
The department chair, faculty member and student facilitator all sign a contact of understanding (through a Course Proposal Form) before the DeCal is approved by COCI / the Academic Senate. All are accountable.
Who do I contact for quotes / comments?
Our current co-directors. See our staff page.
How do I contact the facilitator of __________ ?
If the facilitator has chosen not to show their e-mail address on the course listing, then we cannot provide it to you — it would be against our privacy policy. Sorry.
Can I sit in on a DeCal course if I’m not enrolled / I’m not a student?
Contact the facilitator. Most facilitators are usually happy to accommodate others.