Submit and Syllabus
Crystal Davidson
Legal Research and Writing II
Professor Valverde
October 14, 2013
SIMPSON v. SKINNER
1 Maricopa 31 (2012)
Maricopa Community College Court
Facts: -During fall 2012, Simpson submitted a Syllabus Acknowledgement.
-Course syllabus contains information about course requirements, grading procedures, and late or missing assignments.
-Course syllabus informed students that Assignment 10 was due no later than 12pm, November 2, 2012.
-Simpson turned in assignment at 12:31pm on November 2, 2012
-Professor Skinner reduced Simpson’s grade from 100 to 85.
-Simpson had not asked for additional time to complete the assignment.
-Professor Skinner admitted he would have given an extension had Simpson asked for one.
Issue: Does Professor Skinner have the discretion to deduct an arbitrary number of points from a late assignment?
Holding: Yes, Professor Skinner does have the discretion to deduct an arbitrary number of points from a late assignment.
Reasoning: The court cited that the fact that Simpson neither read nor understood the Syllabus Acknowledgement is irrelevant. Simpson signed and submitted the Acknowledgement. Therefore Simpson agreed to follow the course requirements. He the violated those terms by knowingly submitting his assignment late. He is subject to a penalty for submitting his assignment late. Simpson should have been aware of his rights and duties as a student. Since he knowingly submitted his assignment late and/or failed to request additional time, Professor Skinner had the authority and discretion to impose the 15 point penalty. The course syllabus states that “assignments are due on time. Late points may be applied at the instructor’s discretion.” (Syllabus, p.2) “Students may submit requests for extra time. If granted, the instructor cannot deduct late point.” The Syllabus Acknowledgement states, in plain English, that by signing and
Legal Research and Writing II
Professor Valverde
October 14, 2013
SIMPSON v. SKINNER
1 Maricopa 31 (2012)
Maricopa Community College Court
Facts: -During fall 2012, Simpson submitted a Syllabus Acknowledgement.
-Course syllabus contains information about course requirements, grading procedures, and late or missing assignments.
-Course syllabus informed students that Assignment 10 was due no later than 12pm, November 2, 2012.
-Simpson turned in assignment at 12:31pm on November 2, 2012
-Professor Skinner reduced Simpson’s grade from 100 to 85.
-Simpson had not asked for additional time to complete the assignment.
-Professor Skinner admitted he would have given an extension had Simpson asked for one.
Issue: Does Professor Skinner have the discretion to deduct an arbitrary number of points from a late assignment?
Holding: Yes, Professor Skinner does have the discretion to deduct an arbitrary number of points from a late assignment.
Reasoning: The court cited that the fact that Simpson neither read nor understood the Syllabus Acknowledgement is irrelevant. Simpson signed and submitted the Acknowledgement. Therefore Simpson agreed to follow the course requirements. He the violated those terms by knowingly submitting his assignment late. He is subject to a penalty for submitting his assignment late. Simpson should have been aware of his rights and duties as a student. Since he knowingly submitted his assignment late and/or failed to request additional time, Professor Skinner had the authority and discretion to impose the 15 point penalty. The course syllabus states that “assignments are due on time. Late points may be applied at the instructor’s discretion.” (Syllabus, p.2) “Students may submit requests for extra time. If granted, the instructor cannot deduct late point.” The Syllabus Acknowledgement states, in plain English, that by signing and