[Optional]

I am dedicated to fostering a learning environment where all students can engage and succeed. If you encounter barriers to your learning, please reach out so we can explore potential design adjustments that may improve access to course materials and activities. In some cases, an approved accommodation through Student Disability Services may be necessary, and I can help connect you with their office if needed. My goal is to collaborate with you to find solutions that maintain the integrity of the course while supporting your learning needs.

[Optional, but the language should not be changed if included.]

This course uses instructor-initiated drops for students who exceed the absence and/or missed assignment limit. Therefore, up to the last day for students to withdraw from an individual course, [date], you will be dropped for exceeding [insert number of absences/assignments etc.]. Students will receive at least one courtesy warning when approaching the absence/missed assignment limit. Notification will be sent using ASAP to the student’s email address. A subsequent absence or missed assignment will result in being dropped from the course. Notification of being dropped will also be sent through ASAP to the student’s email address. This drop does not affect enrollment in other courses. Please consult the Dropping Courses webpage for further details on the process and appeals.

[Optional, but the language should not be changed if included.]
 

As the instructor of this course, I may record meetings and lessons. You are expected to follow appropriate University policies and maintain the security of passwords used to access recorded lectures. Recordings may not be published, reproduced, or shared with those not in the class. If the instructor or a UT San Antonio office plans any other uses for the recordings, consent of the students identifiable in the recordings is required before such use unless an exception is allowed by law. For more information on your privacy and class recordings, review Student Privacy (FERPA) in Virtual Classrooms and Other Educational Recordings and the Guide to Secure Video Conferencing Tools.

[Optional, but the language should not be changed if included.]

Academic freedom¹ is a cornerstone of the University. Academic freedom in its teaching aspect is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the teacher in teaching and of the student to freedom in learning.² Each faculty member is entitled to full freedom in the classroom discussing the subject that the faculty member teaches.³ The University of Texas at San Antonio will not penalize or discipline members of the faculty because of their lawful exercise of academic freedom. 

Along with this freedom comes responsibility. It is the responsibility of faculty members to ensure that topics taught are related to the classroom subject and that they should not to introduce into their teaching controversial matter that has no relation to the subject. Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled.⁴ It is not the proper role of the university or any outside agency to attempt to shield individuals from ideas and opinions they find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive.⁵ Engaging with new ideas and perspectives helps students grow intellectually and is beneficial to the educational process. 

1. Statement adapted from Texas A&M University’s Syllabus Statement Regarding Academic Freedom

2. 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure 

3. Board of Regents Rule 31004; HOP Policy 4.02 

4. American Association of University Professors Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students 

5. The Chicago Statement 

[Optional, use if your course includes the benefit of Supplemental Instruction. Feel free to edit this statement to fit your needs.]

In this course you have access to Supplemental Instruction (SI), weekly study sessions for students enrolled in core and gateway courses at UT San Antonio. In these sessions, guided by trained students who have successfully completed the coursework, students work together to improve learning strategies by reviewing course material and preparing for tests. Students who attend SI sessions regularly tend to average one-half to one full letter grade higher than their classmates who do not attend SI. [Faculty: Insert your own instructions here.] For more information, visit the UT San Antonio Supplemental Instruction site.

[Optional, but the language should not be changed if included.]

The syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. Any changes/corrections to the course materials, assignment dates, or other updates will be communicated to the students ahead of time. You are responsible for checking Canvas for corrections or updates to the syllabus.