Official University Policy Manual

File Code: PRO.SYLLABUS.POL
Approval Date: 9/25/03
Revised Date: 10/30/06
Approved By: President and Faculty Senate

Course Syllabus Policy

Education works best when a clear understanding is established between instructor and student.

Since students need to know what is required of them in order to complete a course satisfactorily, instructors will provide each student with a course syllabus. Items suggested for inclusion in the syllabus include the following:

  1. Title of the course, course number, section number, meeting days and times, nature and/or purpose of the course. General Education "W" and WID courses will be so identified.
  2. Prerequisites, and corequisites (Note: It is the responsibility of the student to comply with the prerequisites/corequisites for a course that he/she plans to take. Instructors who place the appropriate information on the syllabus and emphasize it during the first three class periods may exclude a student from the class who does not meet the prerequisites/corequisites by sending a note to the student with a copy to the registrar within the first two weeks of the term.)
  3. "In accordance with University policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), academic accommodations may be made for any student who notifies the instructor of the need for an accommodation. For the instructor to provide the proper accommodation(s) you must obtain documentation of the need for an accommodation through Disability Support Services and provide it to the instructor. It is imperative that you take the initiative to bring such needs to the instructor's attention, as he/she is not legally permitted to inquire about such particular needs of students. Students who may require special assistance in emergency evacuations (i.e. fire, tornado, etc.) should contact the instructor as to the most appropriate procedures to follow in such an emergency. Contact Disability Support Services at 298-2512 for additional services."
  4. Instructor's name, office number, office hours, office phone number, fax number, e-mail address, personal web address (personal home page).
  5. Books and/or materials required.
  6. A goals/objectives statement (What is the purpose of the course? What is the professor going to try to accomplish?)
  7. A statement indicating how the student's final grade will be determined, including any minimum requirements.
  8. Types of examinations that could be given (essay, objective, short answer, quizzes, etc.), if any.
  9. Tentative dates for exams, tests, and a breakdown of the materials to be covered in relation to those dates.
  10. Outside work required (readings, web searches, field experiences, trips, etc.), if any.
  11. Additional fees or costs to be incurred by the student, if any.
  12. Nature of papers or reports required, if any, and when they are due.
  13. Attendance requirements and penalties, if any.
  14. Web address for student rights and responsibilities (use URL found on University Student Rights and Responsibilities web page.)

Course syllabi should be distributed prior to the end of the full refund/credit period. It is the student's responsibility to obtain the syllabus after this time.

Failure to provide adequate written information about course requirements may provide the student with sufficient grounds to appeal to the Council on Admission, Graduation and Academic Standards for a late withdrawal. Questions concerning the interpretation of this policy will be resolved by the Council.