Course Syllabi/Policy Statements
Suggested Wording For
Course Syllabi/Policy Statements
2008-2009
(May 27, 2008)
The Faculty Handbook (Section 4.5.1.2) requires that all course syllabi/policy statements include statements on nondiscrimination, disability accommodation, cheating and plagiarism, and attendance. Following is suggested wording to assist faculty in complying with these requirements. Please update syllabi prior to the beginning of the fall 2008 semester. Note all revisions, including those in the section on nondiscrimination and also in the cell phone policy. Faculty who wish to compose their own wording or to expand on these statements should assure compliance with the Faculty Handbook, relevant university policies, and state and federal laws. In addition to statements that are required by the Faculty Handbook, suggested wording about the University’s procedure for dropping classes is provided for faculty who might wish to include that information. We hope you find these suggestions helpful. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Chris Craig, Associate Provost, by phone (836-4589) or by e-mail (ChrisCraig@missouristate.edu).
Suggested wording for required statement of nondiscrimination:
Missouri State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your right to address inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to the Office for Equity and Diversity, Park Central Office Building, 117 Park Central Square, Suite 111, (417) 836-4252. Other types of concerns (i.e., concerns of an academic nature) should be discussed directly with your instructor and can also be brought to the attention of your instructor’s Department Head. Please visit the OED website at www.missouristate.edu/equity/.
Suggested wording for required statement on disability accommodation:
To request academic accommodations for a disability, contact the Director of Disability Services, Plaster Student Union, Suite 405, (417) 836-4192 or (417) 836-6792 (TTY), www.missouristate.edu/disability. Students are required to provide documentation of disability to Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations. Disability Services refers some types of accommodation requests to the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, which also provides diagnostic testing for learning and psychological disabilities. For information about testing, contact the Director of the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, (417) 836-4787, http://psychology.missouristate.edu/ldc.
Suggested wording for required statement on academic dishonesty:
Missouri State University is a community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who accept the responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity. You are responsible for knowing and following the university’s student honor code, Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, available at www.missouristate.edu/assets/provost/AcademicIntegrityPolicyRev-1-08.pdf and also available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library. Any student participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in this policy.
Note to instructors: Please be aware that the academic integrity policy requires that a student who is charged with academic dishonesty in a course be allowed to continue attending class and fulfilling course requirements while they exercise their right to appeal allegations of academic dishonesty. The student should receive a grade of “Incomplete” in the course if an appeal from an allegation is still in progress at the end of the semester, or if the allegation of academic dishonesty is brought forward at the end of the semester. The grade of “Incomplete” remains on the transcript until the appeal is resolved.
Note to instructors: Some academic programs, especially graduate programs, may have published policies regarding additional sanctions for academic dishonesty. All program-specific sanctions should be included in course policy statements.
Statement of attendance policy (REQUIRED - different for every instructor, no suggested wording is provided)
Note to instructors: The University’s attendance policy can be found in the 2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog at www.missouristate.edu/registrar/attendan.html. As stated in that policy, instructors must provide students with a written statement of the specific attendance policy for that class. The instructor has the responsibility to determine specific attendance policies for each course taught, including the role that attendance plays in the calculation of final grades and the extent to which work missed due to non-attendance can be made up. The University encourages instructors not to make attendance a disproportionately weighted component of the final grade, and also expects instructors to be reasonable in accommodating students whose absence from class resulted from: 1) participation in University-sanctioned activities and programs; 2) personal illness; or 3) family and/or other compelling circumstances.
Suggested wording on dropping a class: (not required by the Faculty Handbook)
It is your responsibility to understand the University’s procedure for dropping a class. If you stop attending this class but do not follow proper procedure for dropping the class, you will receive a failing grade and will also be financially obligated to pay for the class. For information about dropping a class or withdrawing from the university, contact the Office of the Registrar at 836-5520.
Faculty may also wish to include relevant drop deadlines. See Academic Calendars (www.missouristate.edu/registrar/acad_cal.html) for deadlines.
Suggested wording on cell phone policy: (not required by the Faculty Handbook)
As a member of the learning community, each student has a responsibility to other students who are members of the community. When cell phones or pagers ring and students respond in class or leave class to respond, it disrupts the class. Therefore, the Office of the Provost prohibits the use by students of cell phones, pagers, PDAs, or similar communication devices during scheduled classes. All such devices must be turned off or put in a silent (vibrate) mode and ordinarily should not be taken out during class. Given the fact that these same communication devices are an integral part of the University’s emergency notification system, an exception to this policy would occur when numerous devices activate simultaneously. When this occurs, students may consult their devices to determine if a university emergency exists. If that is not the case, the devices should be immediately returned to silent mode and put away. Other exceptions to this policy may be granted at the discretion of the instructor.