Help and Support
Staff Contact Info¶
Instructor
Prof. Michael Casper
Email: mjcasper@buffalo
.edu Office Hours: Mon 3-5pm, Wed 4-5pm, Fri 3-4pm
Office: Room 222 Math Building
Recitations
Xavier Stanton
Section(s): A1, A2, A3, B1
Email: xtstanto@buffalo
.edu Office Hours: Tues 8-10am
Office: Room 140 Math Building
Hiruja Mahagedara
Section(s): B2, B3
Email: hirujama@buffalo
.edu Office Hours: Tues 3-4pm
Office: Room 129 Math Building
Questions about the Course¶
In general, questions are best asked in-person, either in class, recitation, or during office hours.
Questions related to the operation of the course usually fall into a few different categories: Accessibility Resource Accommodations, Athletic Absence, Checkpoint Exam Absence, and Regrade Request. If you have a question related to one of these four categories, please come see me to get the necessary form.
AR Accommodations Notification Form
Usage: If you reeceive accommodations through the AR Office and wish to use them for our class, please come see me within the first 2 weeks of the semester to fill out the class Accommodation Notification Form.
Supporting Documentation: Your Accommodations Memo from the AR office dated for the Spring 2026 semester.
Timeframe: This should be done within the first 2 weeks of the semester, or within 1 week of any change in your Accommodations Memo.
Athletic Absence Form
Usage: If you are absent from one of our classes because you are participating in a university sporting event, you need to submit this form within 3 business days of the day you missed (you can also submit early).
Supporting Documentation: Your Travel Letter from the Athletics Department. This letter should clearly indicate the day you missed.
Timeframe: This should be done within 3 business days of the day you missed.
Checkpoint Exam Absence Form
Usage: If you are absent from class due to an emergency, severe illness, or religious holiday and you miss a checkpoint exam because of this absence, you need to submit this form within 1 business day of the day you return.
Supporting Documentation: Written documentation which explains and supports the reason for your absence. Doctor’s note, religious leader note, etc. Notes from a virtual doctor’s visit are not accepted.
Timeframe: You should first email me within 1 business day of your absence, and then submit the form within 1 business day of your return to class.
Regrade Request Form
Usage: If you believe one of your assessments has been graded incorrectly, or the score is recorded incorrectly on your progress report, you need to fill out this form within 5 business days from when the assessment first appears as graded on a progress report.
Supporting Documentation: Copy of the original assessment that you want regraded.
Timeframe: This should be done within 5 business days of it first appearing on your progress report.
Additional Help¶
In addition to class time and office hours there are many other places on campus that you can go for help with the course content:
Falling Behind?¶
If you feel that you are starting to fall behind in the course, you should seek out help immediately.
First start with some self-reflection.
Ask Questions at Class: Please feel free to ask Prof. Casper questions before, during, or after class. Chances are very high that you are not the only person with this question!
Attend Office Hours: Come to office hours and ask questions there. Some students also like to come and work on their homework and then ask questions as they arise.
Go to the Help Centers on campus.
Self Reflection
You should start with a little self reflection. Any additional support is not really going to help, if you are not putting in a consistent, initial effort. Some questions to ask yourself:
Are you regularly attending class?
Are you taking detailed notes during class time?
Are you keeping all of your work organized?
Are you giving yourself enough time to complete the material? (things do take time!) Remember that you should be spending 12-16 hours of work on this class per week.
When you do complete work, are you turning off all distractions (like phones and tv)?