Thank you so much for the very thoughtful and helpful responses I have received, on and off line. I kept them to use them in the process of changing my syllabus next semester. I found particularly useful Keith Roberts suggestion about giving them choices. My concern about giving less points to make up exams was not intended to punish students but to be fair to students who had less time to prepare. Also very useful is the idea of spelling out policy about these issues in the syllabus, calling students' attention to these policies, making it very clear their responsibilities during the semester and explaining the reasons why it is important to develop certain learning and work patterns that will serve them well as students and beyond.
I don't know whether it is just my perception but I think issues of class management have become increasingly demanding and complex in the last few years - my syllabi are beginning to resemble corporate contracts and I now require at the graduate level that students tell me in writing that they understand the course requirements and grading policy. Sigh..... Thanks again - this is what makes this list invaluable. Martha
