2 Project related announcements

This is from an email I sent just now to the entire class:

Class,

Two separate announcements to make.

1. Office Hours - Saturday: Am in office today 11.15 am – 2.30 pm and after that over email. Am not on campus on Sunday but will be reachable over email. This is just FYI in case project related last minute queries come up. Project deadline is Sunday noon, late submissions are not acceptable.

2. Phase III Grading: Partly because grading in phases I and II may have been overly loose, that in phase III promises to be relatively tougher. Phase III carries 14% of course grade.

Pls read the blog posts relating to project to ensure that you are aware of what is being asked for. The minimum thresholds if met will yield half the grade for phase III i.e. 7%. The quality of your arguments, how well-supported they are, how well they lead to recommendations etc will decide the other 7%.

Once again, pls be aware that grading here will be tough. Every 1% above the 7% for minimum thresholds will have to be hard earned. There is a small but significant chance that the class average in phase III may not reach double digits.

I will be heavily involved in phase III grading, (unlike in Phases I and II). Admittedly there is quite some subjectivity and hence, discretion involved in phase III; and should you later choose to dispute phase III marks, pls be aware that in return, I shall be equally prepared to stand my ground and push back if I have to.

This is FYI.


Sudhir Voleti