Your Syllabus at UT Austin

• Instructors must provide each student with a course syllabus on or before the first day of classes.
  • The General Information Catalog (GIC) requires that syllabi be uploaded to Canvas if it is being used in the course. Posting a final syllabus to a course’s Canvas site meets the requirement as long as the site has been published and made available to students by the first day of class.
  • Because students make plans and commitments based around information in the syllabus provided, no changes to a syllabus should be made after the first class day, except in response to uncontrollable circumstances. Any changes must be in the best interest of students.
• Instructors must also provide a copy of their course syllabus to their departmental office or dean’s office (in non-departmentalized schools and colleges) on or before the first day of classes.
• Administrative units must upload the syllabi of all undergraduate courses via the university’s Syllabi and Instructor CV Upload system no later than seven days after the first day of classes so that they are publicly available at the university’s Access Syllabi and CVs
  • This requirement applies to undergraduate courses offered to five or more students. It excludes independent study courses where the content is “tailored specifically for individual students” and it also excludes “laboratory, practicum, or discussion sections that are intrinsic and required parts of larger lecture courses and are directly supervised by the same instructor(s) of record for those large courses.”
  • As noted under “Required Syllabus Content” below, the publicly-available version should omit teaching assistant information and may also omit instructor office location.

• Course number and title;
• Instructor’s name, office location, and office hours (note: office location and office hours are optional for the public version);
• Names, office locations, and office hours of any teaching assistants (note: do not include in the public version);
• Overview of the class, including prerequisites, subject matter of each lecture or discussion, and learning outcomes for the course and how they will be assessed;
• Grading policy, including the means of evaluation and assignment of class grades, including whether plus and minus grades will be used for the final class grade and whether and, if so, how attendance will be used in determining the course grade;
• A brief descriptive overview of all major course requirements and assignments, along with the dates of exams and assignments that count for 20 percent or more of the class grade;
• A list of required and recommended course materials, such as textbooks, image collections, audio and audiovisual materials, supplies, articles, chapters, and excerpts as appropriate identified by author, title, and publisher;
• Final exam date and time (when available);
• The class Canvas site or website, if any; and
• A notice that students with disabilities may request appropriate academic accommodations from the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement (DDCE), Disability and Access (D&A) at http://ddce.utexas.edu/disability. (Suggested wording available here.)
  • Note that instructors should not use the syllabus to limit in any way a student’s right to receive or deliver an accommodation letter or to request accommodation. Concerns about a particular student’s situation may be discussed with the student’s assigned Access Coordinator, listed on the action letter or with the Assistant Vice President of Disability and Access.

Which could include:

“Students who violate University rules on academic misconduct are subject to the student conduct process and potential disciplinary action. A student found responsible for academic misconduct may be assigned both a status sanction and a grade impact for the course. The grade impact could range from a zero on the assignment in question up to a failing grade in the course. A status sanction can range from probation, deferred suspension and/or dismissal from the University. To learn more about academic integrity standards, tips for avoiding a potential academic misconduct violation, and the overall conduct process, please visit the Student Conduct and Academic Integrity website at: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/conduct.”

It is strongly recommended that you outline any individual expectations for assignments completion, including parameters around group work, authorized resources, citation requirements, etc. in the assignment directions. Clear and detailed expectations not only reduce the likelihood of a possible violation, but they also aid the Student Conduct team in holding students accountable that fail to adhere to the assignment directions.

State the course modality and clearly explain how class meetings will be conducted. Modalities could include fully online (asynchronous or a combination of synchronous/asynchronous learning), in-person (requires in-person attendance), or hybrid (online plus optional in-person class time).

If there will be no alternative to in-person attendance, other than normal emergency accommodations, note this clearly (some in-person course instructors choose to post course recordings, and students get confused and think everyone is required to do so). If the course has multiple formats—e.g. lecture, lab and discussion, group learning projects and/or presentations—these should be explained.

If class recordings that include student personally identifiable information are to be made, UT Legal has indicated that the following disclosure should be included in the syllabus and wherever recordings are posted.:

“Class recordings are reserved only for students in this class for educational purposes and are protected under FERPA. The recordings should not be shared outside the class in any form. Violation of this restriction by a student could lead to Student Misconduct proceedings”

Instructors teaching courses that carry one or more of the Skills and Experience Flags are requested to include a statement about the Flag(s) in their syllabus. Suggested wording for these statements may be found in this link.

• Required Devices – Any devices, especially computers or other electronic devices, that are needed to succeed in the course;
• Asking for Help – How best to access or ask questions of the instructor (and teaching assistants) outside of class time;
• Making Up Missed Work – Policies and procedures around makeup assignments.

For example:

“Your success in this class is important to me. We all learn differently, and everyone struggles sometimes. You are never the only one having difficulty! If there are aspects of this course that prevent you from learning or exclude you, please let me know as soon as possible. Together we will develop strategies to meet both your needs and the requirements of the course. I also encourage you to reach out to the student resources available through UT and I am happy to connect you with a person or Center if you would like.”

For example:

“It is my intent that students from all diverse backgrounds and perspectives be well served by this course, that students’ learning needs be addressed, and that the diversity that students bring to this class can be comfortably expressed and be viewed as a resource, strength and benefit to all students. Please come to me at any time with any concerns.”

Beginning January 1, 2022, Texas Education Code, Section 51.252 (formerly known as Senate Bill 212) requires all employees of Texas universities, including faculty, report any information to the Title IX Office regarding sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking that is disclosed to them. Texas law requires that all employees who witness or receive any information of this type (including, but not limited to, written forms, applications, one-on-one conversations, class assignments, class discussions, or third-party reports) must report it to the Title IX Coordinator. Before talking with me, or with any faculty or staff member about a Title IX related incident, please remember that I will be required to report this information.

Although graduate teaching and research assistants are not subject to Texas Education Code, Section 51.252, they are mandatory reporters under federal Title IX regulations and are required to report a wide range of behaviors we refer to as sexual misconduct, including the types of misconduct covered under Texas Education Code, Section 51.252. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex – including pregnancy and parental status – in educational programs and activities. The Title IX Office has developed supportive ways and compiled campus resources to support all impacted by a Title IX matter.

If you would like to speak with a Case Manager for Support and Resources, who can provide support, resources, or academic accommodations, in the Title IX Office, please email:  supportandresources@austin.utexas.edu. A Case Manager can also provide support, resources, and accommodations for pregnant, nursing, and parenting students.

For more information about reporting options and resources, please visit: https://titleix.utexas.edu, contact the Title IX Office via email at: titleix@austin.utexas.edu, or call 512-471-0419.

This support will vary by department, unit, and course modality, making it confusing for students. A statement such as the following, tailored to your context, would help students who encounter difficulties:

“Students needing help with technology in this course should contact the ITS Service Desk or <your local support unit(s)>.”

Class attendance: State your expectations for attendance with the rationale. Explain the consequences for not attending if there are any. If participation is included in the course grade, you should also list it in the assignments under “Grading for this Course” below.

Class participation: What do you mean by this and how they can succeed? If participation is included in the course grade, you should also list it in the assignments under “Grading for this Course” below.

Behavior expectations: State the guidelines and ground rules for appropriate behavior. You can reference a class-specific code of conduct (some instructors ask students to write this during the first week of class) or, more formally and officially, Section 11-400 of the Institutional Rules in the GIC.

Professional standards: List and describe any professional standards that apply in your school or to the subject being studied in your course.

If you are using digital course materials through the LTA program, please consider including the following in your course syllabus:

“The materials for this class are available through the Longhorn Textbook Access (LTA) program, a collaboration between UT Austin, The University Co-op and textbook publishers to significantly reduce the cost of digital course materials for students. You can access your required materials through the “My Textbooks” tab in Canvas. You are automatically opted into the program but can easily opt-out (and back in) via Canvas through the 12^th class day. If you remain opted-in at the end of the add/drop period (12^th class day fall/spring, 4^th class day summer sessions), you will receive a bill through your “What I Owe” page. If you do not pay your bill by the specified deadline, you will lose access to the course materials and your charge will be removed. More information about the LTA program is available at universitycoop.com/longhorn-textbook-access.”

“Our classroom provides an open space for the critical and civil exchanges of ideas. Some readings and other content in this course will include topics that some students may find offensive and/or traumatizing. I’ll aim to forewarn students about potentially disturbing content and I ask all students to help to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and sensitivity.”

[Best practice discussions around content warnings also suggest including tags or other warnings on the Course Outline next to the assigned material. Further discussion of content warning can be found at this page.]

Disability & Access (D&A)

[This required syllabus content is repeated from above. It may be included in either place, or both.]

The university is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive learning environment consistent with university policy and federal and state law. Please let me know if you experience any barriers to learning so I can work with you to ensure you have equal opportunity to participate fully in this course. If you are a student with a disability, or think you may have a disability, and need accommodations please contact Disability & Access (D&A). Please refer to the D&A website for more information: http://diversity.utexas.edu/disability/. If you are already registered with D&A, please deliver your Accommodation Letter to me as early as possible in the semester so we can discuss your approved accommodations and needs in this course.

Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC):

We all benefit from support during times of struggle. Know you are not alone. If you are experiencing signs of stress, anxiety, depression, academic concerns, loneliness, difficulty sleeping, or any other concern impacting your well-being – you are strongly encouraged to connect with CMHC. The Counseling and Mental Health Center is located on campus and provides a wide variety of mental health services to all UT students, including crisis services, counseling services with immediate support and well-being resources. Additionally, CARE Counselors are located within each of the academic schools and colleges. These counselors are familiar with the concerns that are unique to their unit’s students. For more information on CMHC, visit https://cmhc.utexas.edu/ or call 512-471-3515.

University Health Services (UHS):

Your physical health and well-being are a priority. University Health Services is the on-campus medical facility providing high quality medical care and patient education to UT students. Services offered include general medicine, specialty clinics including the gynecology clinic, sports medicine, nutrition services, allergy, immunization and travel health, physical therapy, urgent care, a 24/7 nurse advice line, and lab and radiology services. For additional information, visit https://healthyhorns.utexas.edu/ or call 512-471-4955.

Sanger Learning Center:

Did you know that more than one-third of UT undergraduate students use the Sanger Learning Center each year to strengthen their academic performance? All students are welcome to take advantage of Sanger Center’s classes and workshops, private learning specialist appointments, peer academic coaching, public speaking, and tutoring for more than 70 courses in 15 different subject areas. For more information, please visit: https://ugs.utexas.edu/slc or call 512-471-3614 (JES A332).

Student Emergency Services (SES):

Student Emergency Services in the Office of the Dean of Students helps students and their families during difficult or emergency situations. Assistance includes outreach, advocacy, intervention, support, and referrals to relevant campus and community resources. If you need to be absent from class due to a family emergency, medical or mental health concern, or academic difficulty due to crisis or an emergency situation, you can work with Student Emergency Services. SES will document your situation and notify your professors. Additional information is available at: https://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/emergency/ or by calling 512-471-5017.

Anyone concerned about the unauthorized sharing of their course materials through online sites should add the following statement to their syllabus. Including this statement regarding the posting and/or use of your course content by students establishes a proactive directive to students that is helpful to the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity in administering the conduct process should the material be posted in opposition to your written directive.

“No materials used in this class, including, but not limited to, lecture hand-outs, videos, assessments (quizzes, exams, papers, projects, homework assignments), in-class materials, review sheets, and additional problem sets, may be shared online or with anyone outside of the class without explicit, written permission of the instructor. Unauthorized sharing of materials promotes cheating. The University is aware of the sites used for sharing materials, and any materials found online that are associated with you, or any suspected unauthorized sharing of materials, will be reported to Student Conduct and Academic Integrity in the Office of the Dean of Students. These reports can result in initiation of the student conduct process and include charge(s) for academic misconduct, potentially resulting in sanctions, including a grade impact.”

Whether or not it is included in the syllabus, the statement below is university policy as presented in the General Information Catalog. Some faculty members find it helpful to be more explicit about the temporal elements of the policy by specifying a minimum period for advance notice and for completion of the assignment. Whether or not notification is provided in the syllabus, the accommodation must be made, and it must be “reasonable.”

“By UT Austin policy, you must notify me of your pending absence as far in advance as possible of the date of observance of a religious holy day. If you must miss a class, an examination, a work assignment, or a project in order to observe a religious holy day, you will be given an opportunity to complete the missed work within a reasonable time after the absence.”

Further discussion around this topic can be found at the UT Austin Gender and Sexuality Center. Syllabus wording might include something like the following example:

“Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender identity & expression, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student’s legal name, unless they have added a “chosen name” with the registrar’s office, which you can do so here. I will gladly honor your request to address you by a name that is different from what appears on the official roster, and by the pronouns you use (she/he/they/ze, etc). Please advise me of any changes early in the semester so that I may make appropriate updates to my records. For instructions on how to add your pronouns to Canvas, visit this site. More resources are available on the Gender and Sexuality Center’s website, www.utgsc.org.”

You may find suggested wording to “demonstrate respect for the historic and contemporary presence of Indigenous Peoples in Texas and, particularly, in the greater Austin area” at this page.

Texas’ Open Carry law expressly prohibits a licensed to carry (LTC) holder from carrying a handgun openly on the campus of an institution of higher education such as UT Austin. Information about Campus Carry can be found at this link. Depending on the instructor’s preferences, the following verbiage about Campus Carry could be used in their syllabus:

“Students in this class should be aware of the following university policies:

• Students in this class who hold a license to carry are asked to review the university policy regarding campus carry.
• Individuals who hold a license to carry are eligible to carry a concealed handgun on campus, including in most outdoor areas, buildings and spaces that are accessible to the public, and in classrooms.
• It is the responsibility of concealed-carry license holders to carry their handguns on or about their person at all times while on campus. Open carry is NOT permitted, meaning that a license holder may not carry a partially or wholly visible handgun on campus premises or on any university driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.
• Per my right, I prohibit carrying of handguns in my personal office. Note that this information will also be conveyed to all students verbally during the first week of class. This written notice is intended to reinforce the verbal notification, and is not a “legally effective” means of notification in its own right.”

For example: The following are recommendations regarding emergency evacuation from the Office of Campus Safety, 512-471-5767:

• Students should sign up for Campus Emergency Text Alerts at the page linked above.
• Occupants of buildings on The University of Texas at Austin campus must evacuate buildings when a fire alarm is activated. Alarm activation or announcement requires exiting and assembling outside.
• Familiarize yourself with all exit doors of each classroom and building you may occupy. Remember that the nearest exit door may not be the one you used when entering the building.
• Students requiring assistance in evacuation shall inform their instructor in writing during the first week of class.
• In the event of an evacuation, follow the instruction of faculty or class instructors. Do not re-enter a building unless given instructions by the following: Austin Fire Department, The University of Texas at Austin Police Department, or Fire Prevention Services office.
• For more information, please visit the Office of Emergency Management.

• For any illness, students should stay home if they are sick or contagious, not only to stop the spread, but also to prioritize their personal well-being.
• UHS provides symptomatic COVID-19 testing for students. Schedule your appointment by calling 512-471-4955 or online within the MyUHS patient portal. Learn more about symptomatic COVID-19 testing here.
• Disposable masks are available for students at the William C. Powers, Jr. Student Activity Center and the Texas Union hospitality desks.
• The exposure action chart offers guidance on what to do if you have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 or if you test positive. If you experience symptoms, stay home, isolate, and follow instructions for symptomatic in the chart.
• Stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations by getting all available boosters when eligible. Vaccines are available through University Health Services.
• Additionally, UHS maintains up-to-date resources on COVID-19, which can be found here: COVID-19 Information and Resources.

If you have concerns about the safety or behavior of fellow students, TAs or professors, contact BCCAL (the Behavior Concerns and COVID-19 Advice Line) at https://safety.utexas.edu/behavior-concerns-advice-line or by calling 512-232-5050. Confidentiality will be maintained as much as possible, however the university may be required to release some information to appropriate parties.