Contact Me#

You are always welcome to contact me privately. Contact me privately if you’d like to discuss your grades, set up an appointment to meet outside of my usual office and lab hours, discuss an accommodation or anything else with one exception. Technical questions about class material must be asked on the class Q&A forum or in a public Pronto thread. If you ask me privately I will politely redirect you to one of those places. The three ways to contact me are:

  1. A DM in the Pronto app. I will respond ASAP. During the work week usually within a few minutes, on weekends the response will vary but will usually be the same day subject to me being awake and holding my phone.

  2. Send a message in Canvas. Canvas messages alert my phone and I will typically respond to your message on the same day or first thing the next morning.

  3. Send an email to michael.matera@cabrillo.edu. I’m the department chair so my email is quite impacted. I respond to emails within 5 days.

Assignments and Due Dates#

I believe that the best way to learn is by doing. Every week we will do an in-class lab that’s not for credit and a project that’s due the following week. The project will challenge you to apply what you learned from class and help you feel confident about the week’s material before we move on. There are just three rules to remember about assignments:

  1. You can turn in an assignment as many times as you like (even after the due date).

  2. An assignment that’s submitted after the due date is charged a 10% penalty regardless of how late or how many times it was submitted before.

  3. I will waive the late penalty if you make an arrangement with me before the due date.

What does this policy mean for you?

  • Never give up on an assignment. You will always get credit for what you have.

  • If you’re stuck, turn it in and I will give you feedback that’s meant to help you understand how to finish the assignment.

My goal is to never give up on you so that you have every chance to master the material.

Our Agreement#

We are a community of learners. In order to learn you have to be wrong some of the time. Being wrong is okay, but there are rules for how we engage with each other. In this community you are required to agree to these rules:

  1. Be present. Hear people out, feel your response and think about what you’re going to say before you reply.

  2. Listen respectfully. Showing respect commands respect. If you feel you need to challenge an idea or assumption you should understand it first.

  3. Assume positive intent. The nature of privilege is to be unaware of privilege. Do not assume that someone means harm even when they’re saying something that’s hurtful and wrong.

  4. Acknowledge impact. Take responsibility for your words and the impact they have on others. When the impact is negative do not retreat into defensiveness. It hurts to be called out. Overcoming hurt feelings shows inner strength.

There’s an epidemic of dishonest discourse in this world. I have zero tolerance for trolling, name calling, harassment or demagoguery. Don’t think I can’t spot it because I have gray hair. Any instances of disrespectful or dishonest debate will be reported to the college administration.

COVID-19 Policy#

Students must conduct an illness/health self-assessment each day they visit campus which includes the questions below. If you answer YES to any of these, you should not come to campus and should contact me for further guidance.

  • Are you currently experiencing a fever? Is your temperature 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher?

  • Do you have a headache, chills, body aches, or fatigue? Are you experiencing any respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, sore throat, congestion, or runny nose? Have you lost your sense of smell or taste?

  • Do you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea?

By attending this course, you acknowledge that you are aware of the Cabrillo College COVID-19 Prevention Plan and Safe Reopening Plan and agree to abide by the guidelines therein to preserve the safety of yourself and others. You further understand that you will be asked to leave campus if you fail to adhere to the guidelines provided.

TBA (To Be Arranged) Lab Hours#

This course meets weekly at the times shown in the Cabrillo Schedule of Classes and above. In addition each student is required to spend lab time every week in either the CIS Lab (room 830) or online using one of the online accounts issued to you. Students may choose the time and day for their TBA Lab Hours where they will work on lab assignments designed to give them practical hands-on experience and continue the learning process. These TBA lab hours are required and tracked. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the TBA lab hours, which start on Week 1 of the term. Tip: A great time to do TBA lab hours is in the CIS Lab during my STEM hours. If that is not possible, questions can always be posted on the class discussion group.

Academic Conduct#

Instructors at Cabrillo will not tolerate any forms of academic dishonesty. We do not accept remarkably similar assignments. Students who engage in violations of academic integrity (cheating, plagiarizing print or electronic sources, copying computer files, web site content) as outlined in Cabrillo’s Student Rights and Responsibilities document are subject to disciplinary action by the instructor including receiving an “F” for the assignment, being dropped from the course with a “W” or being issued an “F” for the course.

Missing Classes and Drops#

It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from classes. If you miss more than two classes or two lab assignments, the instructor may drop you from the course enrollment unless prior arrangements have been made and agreed to.

Nondescrimination and Accessibility Notice#

The District is committed to equal opportunity in educational programs, employment, and all access to institutional programs and activities. The District, and each individual who represents the District, shall provide access to its services, classes, and programs without regard to national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race or ethnicity, color, medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, or military and veteran status, or because he/she is perceived to have one or more of the foregoing characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

Students needing accommodations should inform the instructor. As required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), accommodations are provided to insure equal access for students with verified disabilities. To determine if you qualify or if you need assistance with an accommodation, please contact the ACCESSIBILITY SUPPORT CENTER (Formerly DSPS), Room 1073 (upstairs in the Library), (831) 479-6379 or (831) 479-6370.

Student Rights and Responsibilities#

You are expected to contribute to a positive learning environment. Your responsibilities as a student include:

  • Respect for your fellow students, staff, and faculty

  • Actively participating in the learning environment

  • Taking responsibility for learning and progressing in your course

  • Requesting assistance from the instructor when needed

  • Adhere to all academic integrity principles

  • Reading and understanding the Cabrillo Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook. (the student grievance procedure is outlined beginning on pg. 18 of the handbook).

  • Following all school policies and procedures (All policies and procedures can be found at Cabrillo’s Board Policies and Administrative Procedures page).

Safety#

Cabrillo College is committed to providing a safe and secure campus environment. The college will not tolerate acts of harassment or violence. For campus safety and security information, go to the Sheriff’s page. To report an incident or complaint, please go to the Just Report It page on the website: Just Report It.