Faculty Policies (FAC)

Course Syllabus Policy

Policy Purpose

To provide uniform guidelines to faculty in the development of course syllabi.

Policy Statement

The course syllabus communicates course information and defines expectations for students and faculty. A syllabus is required for every course. The required syllabus elements and references described in this policy are not prescriptive of individual course syllabi wording or format, which is developed according to the instructor’s discretion with the exception of language regarding ADA.

Procedure

  1. By the second class meeting, all course instructors, including part time faculty, will provide written or electronic course information (syllabi) to students. A copy of the syllabus for each course will be filed for three years with the Department Chair. Faculty members are encouraged to post syllabi to the Learning Management System.
  2. Faculty members must include the minimum information below for each course.
    1. Course information: title, catalog number, description, and prerequisites
    2. Meeting times (days of the week and time of day) and location and/or online time expectations
    3. Instructor information: instructor’s name, office (room) number, mailbox location or sort code, office hours, telephone number, and email address, or as appropriate. Methods of communicating with student outside of the classroom, e.g. mailbox location or sort code, telephone number, and email address, or as appropriate.
    4. Faculty Senate approved student learning outcomes
    5. Description of assessment methods, how grades are determined, and the grading scale
    6. Required and recommended texts including any items on reserve
    7. Any required course-related extra- or co-curricular activities
    8. Policies on late assignments and/or makeup work
    9. Description of attendance policy
    10. Statement that syllabus is subject to change as deemed appropriate by the instructor with advance notification
    11. Tentative schedule for the semester
  3. Required statements including:
    1. Reference to CSN Academic Integrity Policy
    2. CSN Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) statement and current CSN Disability Resource Center contact information
    3. Reference to students’ rights and responsibilities pertaining to CSN policies and services are found in the College Catalog and on the CSN website
    4. Reference to CSN Libraries support
    5. Statement on use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  4. Required statements if applicable, including but not limited to:
    1. Instructor’s policies on possibly objectionable materials if applicable
    2. Statement of additional fees if applicable
    3. A reference to recording of class
    4. Statement of safety or risk assumption if applicable
  5. Recommended statements, including but not limited to:
    1. A reference to public health directives
    2. A reference to Centers for Academic Success resources
    3. A reference to Early Alert Referral Program
    4. A Diversity Statement
  6. The Academic Standards Committee (ASC), working in conjunction with the Faculty Senate Chair, will provide a list of required and, if applicable, recommended statements. Any additional information or specific statements to be included in recommended syllabi statements should be submitted to the Academic Standards Committee (ASC) for approval. Submissions should occur no later than one month before the end of the semester prior to implementation. ASC will maintain a webpage of approved wording.

Most Recent Changes

Version 4:

  1. Clarifies instructors have discretion to select working and format of required elements
  2. Revised required and recommended elements
  3. Require use of artificial intelligence (AI) statement

Disclaimer

The president has the discretion to suspend or rescind all or any part of this policy or related procedure(s). The president shall notify the appropriate CSN personnel, including the Executive Sponsor and shared governance leaders, of the suspension or rescission.

Questions about this policy should be referred to the Executive Sponsor.

Attachments

AI Syllabus Statements

One of these must be included in course syllabi

No AI Usage

Any use of generative AI tools is strictly prohibited for all assignments, exams, and projects in this course. All work must be completed independently, without AI assistance at any stage, from initial planning to final submission. Suspected use of generative AI will be investigated as a violation of CSN’s Academic Integrity policy under the definition of 'cheating,' specifically ‘receiving aid not permitted by the instructor.’ Potential consequences may include a warning, grade reduction, course failure, or academic probation, depending on the severity of the violation.

Instructor-Directed AI Usage Only

Use of generative AI tools is strictly prohibited for all assignments, exams, and projects in this course unless explicitly permitted by the instructor for specific tasks. All other work must be completed independently, without AI assistance at any stage, from initial planning to final submission. Suspected unauthorized use of generative AI will be investigated as a violation of CSN’s Academic Integrity policy under the definition of 'cheating,' specifically ‘receiving aid not permitted by the instructor.’ Potential consequences may include a warning, grade reduction, course failure, or academic probation, depending on the severity of the violation.

Open AI Usage

Generative AI tools are permitted and encouraged as resources for all assignments, exams, and projects in this course. When using AI, students must clearly disclose its use and be prepared to explain their process and understanding of the work. Responsible use of AI means applying it thoughtfully, ensuring that AI-generated content supports, rather than replaces, personal comprehension of the material. Any misuse of AI, such as misrepresenting understanding or mastery, may be reviewed under the student Academic Integrity policy.

History

Version 4:

  • 06/01/2026: Approved by CSN President Stacy Klippenstein
  • 02/01/2026: Reviewed by General Counsel
  • 03/13/2026: Approved by Faculty Senate with minor updates (T Sherman)
  • 04/08/2024: Recommended by Faculty Senate (P. Villa)
  • 03/08/2024: Submitted by Academic Standards Committee (L. Brown)

Version 3:

  • 05/23/2019: Approved by CSN President Federico Zaragoza
  • 05/20/2019: Reviewed by General Counsel
  • 05/10/2019: Recommended by Faculty Senate (D. Dockstader)
  • 04/05/2019: Submitted by Academic Standards Committee (J. Acree)

Changes:

  1. Listed procedure for approving wording of new statements for syllabi.
  2. Removed library workshop description.
  3. Changed objectives/learning outcomes to student learning outcomes.
  4. Moved policy statement to become part of procedure.

Version 2:

  • Policy rewritten into approved format
  • Addition of library policy statement and addition of vanity website to academic integrity policy link

Version 1: New Policy

  • 10/24/2011: Approved by CSN President Michael Richards
  • 10/20/2011: Reviewed by General Counsel
  • 10/20/2011: Recommended by Faculty Senate (T. Sherman)