Sent on behalf of Dr. Mark Bradbury, Interim Vice Provost for Academic Programming and Planning
Dear Faculty Members,
As you prepare your courses for the upcoming semester, we ask that you keep the following university policies and practices in mind:
Syllabus Policy
From the Academic Regulations section of the App State Bulletin:
"A syllabus is to be prepared for each course and distributed at the first of the semester. The syllabus should include the following: an explanation of course goals and objectives, the name of the text and any other materials required of each student, the instructor’s office hours, an explanation of how the grade is to be determined, and an explanation of any additional reading, papers, projects and examinations which the instructor expects to give or assign."
Per guidance from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), a copy of the syllabus for each course should be submitted to the academic department or college for accessibility and archiving. Contact your department chairperson for more information.
University policies to be included in syllabi
Current syllabi should also reflect the following policies and statements:
- Academic Integrity Code
- Access and Opportunity (accommodations for students with disabilities and mandatory reporting)
- Attendance Policy
- Statement on Student Engagement with Courses
You may either include the full text from Academic Affairs’ Syllabi Policy and Statement Information page or simply state in the syllabus that App State has official policies covering each of these categories and provide a link to the page.
Note: Visit the Accessibility and Accommodations page on the Academic Affairs website to learn more about digital accessibility, disability-related adjustments and accommodations and pregnancy or religious academic adjustments and accommodations.
Academic freedom and responsibility of faculty
As a university community, we are committed to upholding the principles of academic freedom, which are essential to the pursuit of knowledge and understanding (Faculty Handbook 2.1, 2.2). This commitment is balanced with our legal obligation to ensure all programs and activities are free from unlawful discrimination and that all individuals are treated equally under the law (Faculty Handbook 2.4 A). Review the Faculty Handbook for more information.
Optional syllabus statements
The Food Insecurity and Public Sharing of Course Materials statements found on Academic Affairs’ Optional Syllabi Policy and Statement Information page have been vetted and are consistent with university policies. They may be included on syllabi as desired.
There is also AI usage information on the aforementioned page, including a link to a document titled “Initial Recommendations on Generative AI Policy and Philosophy.” The page also contains recommendations on possible syllabus statements based on the instructor's desire for AI usage in their course.
For classes that are part of the General Education Program, faculty are encouraged to include the General Education component (PDF) the class contributes to, the designation the class meets (if appropriate), and the General Education program goals that their class meets in the syllabus and to also match class assignments with those goals when appropriate. Faculty are encouraged to speak to their department chairperson for information about courses in the General Education Program.
Weeknight football — Thursday, Nov. 6
This fall, App State will host one weeknight football game on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 or 8 p.m. Select parking lots will transition to game day parking beginning at 4 p.m. Additional details will be shared closer to the date. Please take this into consideration as you build your courses’ calendars.
Final exams
While finalizing your syllabi, please keep in mind that final exams are part of the regular academic term, and that meeting time is figured into our SACSCOC and UNC System meeting time minimums.
Classes that have an asynchronous meeting pattern with no assigned meeting time have no assigned exam time.
Course Withdrawals
The Career Drop policy for students changed, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Previously, students were allowed four “career drops” during their undergraduate careers at App State. In the new policy, this has changed to 16 credit hours of course withdrawals. Review the Course Withdrawal policy.
Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success
As you write your syllabus policies and make other course design decisions, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success (CETLSS) can assist you. Contact CETLSS today to request confidential, one-on-one teaching or career support.
Thank you for all you do for App State and our students.