Department Name Change
UWM's Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning (CETL) has changed its name to the Center for Advancing Student Learning (CASL), learn more about it in our official statement. Alongside the name change, our website's url has changed to uwm.edu/advancing-learning/. Please update any bookmarks or links to point to our new url!

Welcome Statement in a Syllabus

The tone and words used in a syllabus impact how students view and engage with a course (Jones & Zhu, 2022). Including a brief welcome statement in a syllabus is a strategic way to foster a positive class climate and support student success from the outset. Research indicates that the tone of a syllabus significantly influences students’ perceptions of their instructor’s warmth, approachability, and motivation to teach, which in turn affects student engagement and willingness to communicate (Harnish & Bridges, 2011). A welcoming syllabus can affirm students’ ability to succeed and reduce anxiety, especially for those who may feel uncertain or marginalized in academic settings. For example, STEM courses with student-centered language in the syllabus led to the closing of opportunity gaps between majority and minority students (Eslami et al., 2024). Further, the language and organization of the syllabus can shape students’ motivational perceptions—such as feeling empowered, cared for, and interested in the course content—which are key predictors of persistence and performance (Jones & Zhu, 2022).

By incorporating a friendly and inclusive welcome message, faculty can establish trust, humanize themselves, and set the tone for a collaborative and respectful learning environment. Please see Chander and colleagues (2023) for additional guidance on how to address the indirect message students perceive from syllabi language and tone.

Example Welcome Statement 

Welcome to [Course Title]! I’m really glad you’re here. I believe that every one of you is fully capable of engaging with and mastering the material in this course. My goal is to meet you where you are and support you as we learn together. 

This class is meant to be a welcoming and inclusive space where questions, ideas, and even misunderstandings are part of the learning process. There’s often more than one way to approach a problem, and exploring different perspectives will help us all grow. 

I’m excited to get to know each of you—not just as students, but as part of a learning community. Let’s make this a semester full of curiosity, collaboration, and discovery!

The key takeaways for students should be that: 

  • The course will be challenging, but the high expectations in the course are there because instructors believe in the ability of students in the course to grow, develop, and critically engage.  
  • Instructors and students are in this together and will all work hard together.  
  • Instructors are here to support students in their learning journey.  

Student Friendly Language in a syllabus include the following shifts: 

Language Commonly Used

  • This course covers…
  • Students are required to…
  • I only accept… 
  • Late work receives a X% reduction

Student Friendly Language

  • This semester we will explore… 
  • As a participant in this course, you will… 
  • I encourage you to… 
  • Late work is eligible for X% of original points

Course Expectations  

Faculty may also include course expectations that outline what instructors will do to support student success along with what students can do to support their own success. For example:  

What can students do to support their success? 

  • Read the syllabus and stay current with course information. Ask the instructor if there are any points of confusion. They are there to help.
  • Keep up with readings and lab assignments. Each build off each other to scaffold learning throughout the course. Consider your weekly schedule and where you will build in time to engage in course related work.
  • Treat your classmates, TAs, and instructors respectfully, honestly, and ethically. We are in a community of learning together.
  • Commit to excel with integrity and with the courage to act in ways that are honest, fair, responsible, respectful, and trustworthy.  
  • Communicate with the instructor if a deadline cannot be met, you fall behind, or need additional assistance or support.

What will instructors do to support student success in the course? 

  • Be prepared and bring my enthusiasm for teaching to each session.  
  • Encourage, listen, and respond to your questions.
  • Respond to emails within [X time] and provide constructive, timely feedback on assignments/submission. 
  • Establish a learning environment built on fairness, cooperation, and professionalism.  
  • Treat you honestly, ethically, and listen to and address your concerns.  
  • Assign work that is relevant and vital to the course.  

References and Resources