This thread explains the basic ranks of Saint Joseph School in detail.
This thread is under construction.
Freshman
Sophomore
Upperclassman
Ranks and Promotions
Moderator: Student Council
Re: Ranks and Promotions
Freshman Rank
Why does Saint Joe's have a probationary rank?
The probationary rank exists for three reasons:
As the previous question's answer might suggest, you have two primary responsibilities during probation: establish your character and get settled into the community. At the end of 30 days, the Student Council will check in with you to evaluate how things are working out in both areas.
In addition to the above, there are also three specific, tangible objectives that you must meet during your 30-day probation:
The primary focus of the check-in is to assess how the character and player are fitting into the community. The Student Council will also be interested in how your character has changed since enrollment.
You will also be provided with opportunity to give the Student Council feedback or comments about the supergroup. The check-in is also your time to evaluate us, and if you have any concerns we'd like to hear them.
How do I know when I'm due for my check-in?
Each week, the Student Council will post a reminder to the Student Council Digest that lists the Freshman due for a check-in in the upcoming week. If you cannot make Office Hours for your check-in, it is your responsibility to contact the SC to make alternate arrangements for your check-in.
How do I get off probation?
Provided there have been no major concerns about your character or about you as a player, you will be promoted to Sophomore and will come off probation after your 30-day check-in.
What if there are concerns about me or my player?
If there are concerns, you will be informed of them at or before your check-in. The Student Council will discuss the matter with you and, if plausible, work to find a solution that addresses the concerns. At the Student Council's discretion, your probation might even be extended an additional thirty days to give you more opportunity to resolve things.
However, not all character or players are a good fit for SJS, and likewise, SJS isn't a good fit for all characters and players. If it is clear that it's not a good fit, then your character may be removed
If I receive an extension, how does that work?
The Student Council will work with you to set specific goals to work towards during your extension. At the end of the 30 day extension, you will meet with the SC again for a second check-in to assess your progress with those goals and to see if the concerns that led to the extension have been addressed acceptably.
I'm still working out the details for my character. How much freedom do I have to change things?
While you are a Freshman, you may freely edit your character's backstory and concept as the character grows, develops, and changes in your mind. However, be mindful that you do not edit your character out of the supergroup by changing details that make the character incompatible with our themes, goals, and policies.
Once you leave probation, your character's core concept will be set in stone. While you should be continuously building upon your character's story, the fundamentals you have already established will not be changeable without a consultation with the Student Council.
At a glance...
Motto: I am brand new to the group and I am learning.
Goal for the Player: To introduce the character to the membership, refine the character concept, and learn all you can about SJS.
Goal for the Supergroup: To meet, welcome and evaluate the character and the player.
Requirements for Promotion to Next Rank: meet the uniform, prestige, and forums profile requirements detailed below; receive a favorable review at your 30-day check-in
Academic Leave: Limited to standard 60-day leave. Please note that leave may affect evaluation—if you need Academic Leave as a Freshman, please consult with the Student Council.
Base Storage Access: Limited; may add to Storage, may not remove.
Voting Rights: Limited; may vote on SG Issues, but may not vote for Student Council.
Freshman rank is where all new characters start out when first enrolled at Saint Joe's. Following are some questions and answers that elaborate on the overview provided in the "at a glance" section above.Motto: I am brand new to the group and I am learning.
Goal for the Player: To introduce the character to the membership, refine the character concept, and learn all you can about SJS.
Goal for the Supergroup: To meet, welcome and evaluate the character and the player.
Requirements for Promotion to Next Rank: meet the uniform, prestige, and forums profile requirements detailed below; receive a favorable review at your 30-day check-in
Academic Leave: Limited to standard 60-day leave. Please note that leave may affect evaluation—if you need Academic Leave as a Freshman, please consult with the Student Council.
Base Storage Access: Limited; may add to Storage, may not remove.
Voting Rights: Limited; may vote on SG Issues, but may not vote for Student Council.
Why does Saint Joe's have a probationary rank?
The probationary rank exists for three reasons:
- It is a time for you, the player, to meet other students and evaluate SJS to see if it is a place you want to remain.
- It is a time for the other members to get a feel for your character and for you as a roleplay partner.
- It is a time for you to self-evaluate, making changes to your character as you find your character's voice and get more comfortable roleplaying them.
As the previous question's answer might suggest, you have two primary responsibilities during probation: establish your character and get settled into the community. At the end of 30 days, the Student Council will check in with you to evaluate how things are working out in both areas.
In addition to the above, there are also three specific, tangible objectives that you must meet during your 30-day probation:
- Put together a SJS uniform. (We can provide Halloween salvage, if you need an additional slot.)
- Post a thread for your character in the Student Commons forum. It is recommended that you do this within your first two weeks.
- Earn at least 15,000 prestige.
The primary focus of the check-in is to assess how the character and player are fitting into the community. The Student Council will also be interested in how your character has changed since enrollment.
You will also be provided with opportunity to give the Student Council feedback or comments about the supergroup. The check-in is also your time to evaluate us, and if you have any concerns we'd like to hear them.
How do I know when I'm due for my check-in?
Each week, the Student Council will post a reminder to the Student Council Digest that lists the Freshman due for a check-in in the upcoming week. If you cannot make Office Hours for your check-in, it is your responsibility to contact the SC to make alternate arrangements for your check-in.
How do I get off probation?
Provided there have been no major concerns about your character or about you as a player, you will be promoted to Sophomore and will come off probation after your 30-day check-in.
What if there are concerns about me or my player?
If there are concerns, you will be informed of them at or before your check-in. The Student Council will discuss the matter with you and, if plausible, work to find a solution that addresses the concerns. At the Student Council's discretion, your probation might even be extended an additional thirty days to give you more opportunity to resolve things.
However, not all character or players are a good fit for SJS, and likewise, SJS isn't a good fit for all characters and players. If it is clear that it's not a good fit, then your character may be removed
If I receive an extension, how does that work?
The Student Council will work with you to set specific goals to work towards during your extension. At the end of the 30 day extension, you will meet with the SC again for a second check-in to assess your progress with those goals and to see if the concerns that led to the extension have been addressed acceptably.
I'm still working out the details for my character. How much freedom do I have to change things?
While you are a Freshman, you may freely edit your character's backstory and concept as the character grows, develops, and changes in your mind. However, be mindful that you do not edit your character out of the supergroup by changing details that make the character incompatible with our themes, goals, and policies.
Once you leave probation, your character's core concept will be set in stone. While you should be continuously building upon your character's story, the fundamentals you have already established will not be changeable without a consultation with the Student Council.
Re: Ranks and Promotions
Sophomore
Sophomores have settled into the SJS community and are now members with full rights and privileges. They can ask for Academic Leave without restriction, they can vote on all matters concerning the SG, they can access the storage units in the base, and they can request permission to add an alt character.
[border]Sophomores and Alts
Sophomores are no longer granted an automatic alt slot when they are promoted. The auto-alt slot led to problems in the past with too many alts made too quickly, and often resulted in unintentional damage to the main character’s standing in the community.
Instead, Sophomores are permitted up to two alts, one at a time, with permission of the Student Council—please see the Alt Policy thread for more information.
In some cases, the SC may consult with the Upperclassmen before giving a Sophomore permission to begin a new alt.[/border]
Sophomores have no specific responsibilities, other than to remain a positive and constructive member of the supergroup. However, the Sophomore rank is not intended to be a “do-nothing” rank—to the contrary, Sophomores should be actively engaging the group with their character, both in-game and on the forums. Sophomores are also expected to share their views and opinions on OOC forum threads of importance to the supergroup, its policies, and its future. They are also expected to periodically update their student information thread to reflect the ongoing life of the character.
Sophomores are annually reviewed by the Upperclassmen and the Student Council. Each year, on the anniversary of their enrollment in SJS, Sophomores will be evaluated for their continued membership in the supergroup. Both the character and the player are evaluated; for players with alts, this will mean multiple reviews every year.
The review will focus on the following:
Please note—this official annual review does not preclude the Student Council from taking action against a player or character that causes problems in the supergroup. A player or character that is disruptive, divisive or fails to uphold the Code of Conduct can be reviewed and punished at any time, as necessary.
Finally, Sophomores are eligible for promotion to Upperclassman. Once a player feels they are ready for the increased responsibilities of the rank, they may formally request an interview with the Student Council. In order to be considered for promotion to Upperclassman, all of the following requirements must be met.
[border]Do the Upperclassmen have to like me?
Most new members will notice that the Upperclassmen play an active role in determining the continued enrollment and opportunities for promotion of students at Sophomore rank. This has led to the occasional question, “does this mean that the Upperclassmen have to like me?”
The short answer, quite frankly, is yes. Yes, they do. Or at least, the UC need to respect you and appreciate your contributions to the supergroup. But the Upperclassmen are not a hive-mind nor a cabal. They are a group of players who have each passed the test of review of all the others. They are players of various backgrounds, interests and talents who collectively form the strongest core of what SJS is and what SJS should be. They too are reviewed periodically to make sure of it. So they are the best judges of who also represents the best of what Saint Joseph School is.
That is the way SJS operates. I will not downplay nor apologize for the importance of the Upperclassmen.
At the same time, it is important to understand that if you contribute to the SG, if you work to make SJS better, if you are a good match for the supergroup, then there will be Upperclassmen who will like you. You will not have to work at it, because you will already have their support and their respect.[/border]
Sophomores have settled into the SJS community and are now members with full rights and privileges. They can ask for Academic Leave without restriction, they can vote on all matters concerning the SG, they can access the storage units in the base, and they can request permission to add an alt character.
[border]Sophomores and Alts
Sophomores are no longer granted an automatic alt slot when they are promoted. The auto-alt slot led to problems in the past with too many alts made too quickly, and often resulted in unintentional damage to the main character’s standing in the community.
Instead, Sophomores are permitted up to two alts, one at a time, with permission of the Student Council—please see the Alt Policy thread for more information.
In some cases, the SC may consult with the Upperclassmen before giving a Sophomore permission to begin a new alt.[/border]
Sophomores have no specific responsibilities, other than to remain a positive and constructive member of the supergroup. However, the Sophomore rank is not intended to be a “do-nothing” rank—to the contrary, Sophomores should be actively engaging the group with their character, both in-game and on the forums. Sophomores are also expected to share their views and opinions on OOC forum threads of importance to the supergroup, its policies, and its future. They are also expected to periodically update their student information thread to reflect the ongoing life of the character.
Sophomores are annually reviewed by the Upperclassmen and the Student Council. Each year, on the anniversary of their enrollment in SJS, Sophomores will be evaluated for their continued membership in the supergroup. Both the character and the player are evaluated; for players with alts, this will mean multiple reviews every year.
The review will focus on the following:
- Is the player active and engaged with the supergroup, both IC and OOC, both in-game and on the forums?
- Does the player have a negative, positive, or neutral impact on the group?
- Does the character have a negative, positive, or neutral impact on the group?
- Is the character still vital, or has the character stagnated?
- Is the character’s backstory evolving and growing? Does it need to? Is it up to date?
- Has the character (by design or by accident) become incompatible with the SG, such as by aging or roleplaying as a “little adult”?
- Has the player sought or been offered promotion to Upperclassman for the character? If not, why not? If they were denied, why were they denied?
Please note—this official annual review does not preclude the Student Council from taking action against a player or character that causes problems in the supergroup. A player or character that is disruptive, divisive or fails to uphold the Code of Conduct can be reviewed and punished at any time, as necessary.
Finally, Sophomores are eligible for promotion to Upperclassman. Once a player feels they are ready for the increased responsibilities of the rank, they may formally request an interview with the Student Council. In order to be considered for promotion to Upperclassman, all of the following requirements must be met.
- [*]Be at least Security Level 30.
[*]Update your forum backstory.
[*]Earn at least 150,000 prestige.
[*]Review your SJS uniform. - Show an active interest in the supergroup by joining in forum discussions and polls.
- Show active participation in the SJS environment and story, both in-game and on the forum.
- Accept the heightened levels of responsibility as described in our Code of Conduct Addendum for Upperclassmen.
[border]Do the Upperclassmen have to like me?
Most new members will notice that the Upperclassmen play an active role in determining the continued enrollment and opportunities for promotion of students at Sophomore rank. This has led to the occasional question, “does this mean that the Upperclassmen have to like me?”
The short answer, quite frankly, is yes. Yes, they do. Or at least, the UC need to respect you and appreciate your contributions to the supergroup. But the Upperclassmen are not a hive-mind nor a cabal. They are a group of players who have each passed the test of review of all the others. They are players of various backgrounds, interests and talents who collectively form the strongest core of what SJS is and what SJS should be. They too are reviewed periodically to make sure of it. So they are the best judges of who also represents the best of what Saint Joseph School is.
That is the way SJS operates. I will not downplay nor apologize for the importance of the Upperclassmen.
At the same time, it is important to understand that if you contribute to the SG, if you work to make SJS better, if you are a good match for the supergroup, then there will be Upperclassmen who will like you. You will not have to work at it, because you will already have their support and their respect.[/border]
Sophomore At-A-Glance
Motto: I’ve gotten my legs under me, and I know enough to carry my own weight in the SG.
Goal for the Player: To have fun and actively contribute to the supergroup.
Goal for the Supergroup: To have fun and encourage the character to actively contribute to the supergroup.
Alts Allowed: None at promotion; up to two with evaluation.
Activity Requirement: 30 days.
Academic Leave: Standard or Extended.
Base Access: Full.
Voting Rights: Full.
Motto: I’ve gotten my legs under me, and I know enough to carry my own weight in the SG.
Goal for the Player: To have fun and actively contribute to the supergroup.
Goal for the Supergroup: To have fun and encourage the character to actively contribute to the supergroup.
Alts Allowed: None at promotion; up to two with evaluation.
Activity Requirement: 30 days.
Academic Leave: Standard or Extended.
Base Access: Full.
Voting Rights: Full.
Re: Ranks and Promotions
Upperclassman
Upperclassmen are the officers of Saint Joe’s. To have gained this rank, a player has been evaluated no fewer than three times, including a full review by the other Upperclassmen. They should serve as examples both in conduct and contribution to the group.
While they enjoy all the privileges as Sophomores, Upperclassmen have additional perks and responsibilities. The Upperclassmen assist the Student Government in shaping new policy and help to address problems in the supergroup. They often get a “first look” at drafts of new policy to discuss before the announcement is made known to the general membership. Most importantly, Upperclassmen are responsible for interviewing applicants to the SG. For all these reasons, the UC are given access to a special subforum for their use. They also agree to an expanded Code of Conduct Addendum, and their responsibilities are laid out there.
The Upperclassmen are reviewed twice a year. They are reviewed more often than Sophomores for the express reason that UC enroll new students and have a large degree of input on promotions, thereby having a profound impact on the future of the supergroup. Also different than the review for Sophomores is that the Upperclassmen are not reviewed on the anniversary of their enrollment; reviews are done for all UC at the same time. The Student Council may be consulted for advice or input, but under normal circumstances the review of UC is the sole responsibility of the Student Body President. Normally, this review is simple and reasonably informal, and based on the following criteria:
Please note—this semi-annual official review does not preclude the Student Government from taking action against a player or character that causes problems in the supergroup. A player or character that is disruptive, divisive or fails to uphold the Code of Conduct or its Addendum can be reviewed and punished at any time, as necessary.
Finally, Upperclassmen are eligible to run for Student Council. The Student Council is elected three times each year and assist the Student Body President with the day-to-day administration of the supergroup. You can read more about the Student Council and elections in this post.
Upperclassmen are the officers of Saint Joe’s. To have gained this rank, a player has been evaluated no fewer than three times, including a full review by the other Upperclassmen. They should serve as examples both in conduct and contribution to the group.
While they enjoy all the privileges as Sophomores, Upperclassmen have additional perks and responsibilities. The Upperclassmen assist the Student Government in shaping new policy and help to address problems in the supergroup. They often get a “first look” at drafts of new policy to discuss before the announcement is made known to the general membership. Most importantly, Upperclassmen are responsible for interviewing applicants to the SG. For all these reasons, the UC are given access to a special subforum for their use. They also agree to an expanded Code of Conduct Addendum, and their responsibilities are laid out there.
The Upperclassmen are reviewed twice a year. They are reviewed more often than Sophomores for the express reason that UC enroll new students and have a large degree of input on promotions, thereby having a profound impact on the future of the supergroup. Also different than the review for Sophomores is that the Upperclassmen are not reviewed on the anniversary of their enrollment; reviews are done for all UC at the same time. The Student Council may be consulted for advice or input, but under normal circumstances the review of UC is the sole responsibility of the Student Body President. Normally, this review is simple and reasonably informal, and based on the following criteria:
- Is this Upperclassman performing to expectations as laid out in the CoC Addendum?
- If the player were subjected to the exact same interview necessary for promotion to Upperclassman, would they be favorably reviewed?
- Would there be concerns for any reason if this Upperclassman ran for Student Council?
Please note—this semi-annual official review does not preclude the Student Government from taking action against a player or character that causes problems in the supergroup. A player or character that is disruptive, divisive or fails to uphold the Code of Conduct or its Addendum can be reviewed and punished at any time, as necessary.
Finally, Upperclassmen are eligible to run for Student Council. The Student Council is elected three times each year and assist the Student Body President with the day-to-day administration of the supergroup. You can read more about the Student Council and elections in this post.
Upperclassman At-A-Glance
Motto: I have been here long enough that I want to give something back. I am both capable and willing to take on responsibility in the supergroup.
Goal for the Player: To balance my obligations to the supergroup with my own continued enjoyment of the game, and to spread the weight of the SG to other officers when I feel overtaxed.
Goal for the Supergroup: To respect the player as both an officer with authority and a character with the right to enjoy the group.
Alts Allowed: Up to two.
Activity Requirement: 30 days.
Academic Leave: Limited; standard 60-day leave is available to Upperclassmen, but 180-day extended leave will require a demotion back to Sophomore.
Base Access: Full.
Voting Rights: Full.
EDIT: 4000th post!Motto: I have been here long enough that I want to give something back. I am both capable and willing to take on responsibility in the supergroup.
Goal for the Player: To balance my obligations to the supergroup with my own continued enjoyment of the game, and to spread the weight of the SG to other officers when I feel overtaxed.
Goal for the Supergroup: To respect the player as both an officer with authority and a character with the right to enjoy the group.
Alts Allowed: Up to two.
Activity Requirement: 30 days.
Academic Leave: Limited; standard 60-day leave is available to Upperclassmen, but 180-day extended leave will require a demotion back to Sophomore.
Base Access: Full.
Voting Rights: Full.