Uniform Syllabus

A syllabus is a statement of intent by the course instructor that should clearly explain what a student must do and when they must do it to successfully complete the course and get a grade.   A syllabus is intended to protect students from arbitrary or untimely changes in course requirements and due dates.  A syllabus must also provide information about departmental and University policies governing conduct of the course.  The APC has reviewed the existing Uniform Syllabus Policy and recommends the following revised policy. 

1. At the official beginning of the course, a syllabus will be made available electronically and/or on paper.  The syllabus will contain an electronic link to a Web page maintained by the Secretary of the University that contains university policies that affect the instructor and students in the course, as well as essential information specific to conduct of the course. The following link should be used: https://uwm.edu/secu/resources/syllabus-links/  
2. Each department will adopt a set of syllabus guidelines for its courses consistent with the nature of the courses offered by that department and containing any policies applicable to courses offered by that department. 
3. Each department will maintain a file of current syllabi for all classes.  Each syllabus will be placed in the file within two weeks of the first class meeting. The file will be kept for two years. 
4. The Secretary of the University will be responsible for disseminating current recommended syllabus guidelines approved by the Faculty Senate to all departments/faculty/instructors prior to each semester. 

1. Class Information.  Class information consists of a description of a class and other essential information.  
   1. The following information is required for all classes: 
      1. Course title and number; 
      2. Class meeting times and location(s); 
      3. Instructors’ and Teaching Assistants’ names 
      4. Instructors’ and Teaching Assistants’ e-mail addresses and/or phone numbers; 
      5. Short description of course objectives that may include the catalog description; 
      6. Required and recommended readings, with full citations; 
      7. Grading policies, including the weight given to each graded component; and 
      8. A chronology of topics, including approximate due dates and exam dates, including the final examination date and time; 
      9. Specific information on the investment of time by the average student necessary to achieve the learning goals of the course in accordance with the campus credit hour policy, Faculty Document 2838. 
   2. The following information is required for classes where it is applicable: 
      1. Section number of class; 
      2. Instructors’ and Teaching Assistants’ preferred names-in-use 
      3. Source of each reading, if not a textbook to be purchased at the Bookstore; 
      4. Special out-of-class requirements (computers, software, field trips, etc.) 
      5. Attendance requirements; 
      6. Safety policies, with reference to Risk Management issues when appropriate; 
      7. Assignment policies (late penalties, scope, size, etc.) 
   3. The following information is recommended:  
      1. Prerequisites; 
      2. Special skills required of students beyond the formal prerequisites; 
      3. Additional information on grading (scales, expectations, etc.); 
      4. Specific due dates for assignments; 
      5. Examination dates;  
      6. Make-up and incomplete policies (see below); 
      7. Instructors’ and Teaching Assistants’ pronouns-in-use; 
      8. Use of non-binary nouns and pronouns for students (e.g. “they,” “them,” “their”) throughout syllabus 
2. Departmental Policies.  Each syllabus should contain links (or the URL addresses) for the following kinds of policies unique to the culture and practice of the department:   
   1. Courses for which final examinations are not mandatory; and 
   2. Any other standing policies that can affect the conduct of a course (attendance, incompletes, safety, fees, etc.). 
      • Departments may wish to provide their faculty a sample syllabus or even a template syllabus for lecture and lab courses to ensure that information crucial to the conduct of classes they offer is consistent.  Faculty and instructors should be provided all syllabus guidelines prior to each semester. 
3. University Policies.  Each syllabus will provide the following link to the Secretary of the University Web site that contains the following University policies: https://uwm.edu/secu/resources/syllabus-links/  

1. Students with disabilities. Notice to these students should appear prominently in the syllabus so that special accommodations are provided in a timely manner.
   • Accessibility Resource Center
2. Religious observances. Accommodations for absences due to religious observance should be noted. 
   • Accommodations for Religious Beliefs (SAAP 01-02)
3. Students called to active military duty. Accommodations for absences due to call-up of reserves to active military duty should be noted. 
   • Students – Active Military Duty
   • Employees – Military Leave (UW System Administrative Policy 1218)
4. Incompletes. A notation of “incomplete” may be given in lieu of a final grade to a student who has carried a subject successfully until the end of a semester but who, because of illness or other unusual and substantiated cause beyond the student’s control, has been unable to take or complete the final examination or to complete some limited amount of term work.
   • Incomplete Grades (SAAP 01-13)
5. Discriminatory conduct. Discriminatory conduct will not be tolerated by the University. It poisons the work and learning environment of the University and threatens the careers, educational experience, and well-being of students, faculty, and staff.
   • Discriminatory Conduct and Consensual Relationships Policy (SAAP 05-01)
6. Title IX/Sexual Violence. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education program or activities, and UWM policy prohibits such conduct (see Discriminatory Conduct, above). This includes sexual violence, which may include sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship violence, and/or stalking in all educational programs and education-related areas. UWM strongly encourages its students to report any instance of sex discrimination to UWM’s Title IX Coordinator (titleix@uwm.edu). Whether or not a student wishes to report an incident of sexual violence, the Title IX Coordinator can connect students to resources at UWM and/or in the community including, but not limited to, victim advocacy, medical and counseling services, and/or law enforcement. For more information, please visit the Title IX webpage.
7. Academic misconduct. Cheating on exams or plagiarism are academic misconduct violations and carry severe sanctions, including failing a course or even suspension or dismissal from the University.
   • Academic Misconduct for Instructors
   • Academic Misconduct
8. Complaint procedures. Students may direct complaints to the head of the academic unit or department in which the complaint occurs. If the complaint allegedly violates a specific university policy, it may be directed to the head of the department or academic unit in which the complaint occurred or to the appropriate university office responsible for enforcing the policy.
   • Discriminatory Conduct and Consensual Relationships Policy (SAAP 05-01)
9. Grade appeal procedures. A student may appeal a grade on the grounds that it is based on a capricious or arbitrary decision of the course instructor. Such an appeal shall follow the established procedures adopted by the department, college, or school in which the course resides or in the case of graduate students, the Graduate School. These procedures are available in writing from the respective department chairperson or the Academic Dean of the College/School.
   • Grade Appeals by Students SAAP (01-10)
10. LGBT+ resources. Faculty and staff can find resources to support inclusivity of students who identify as LGBT+ in the learning environment.
11. Smoke and Tobacco-Free campus. UWM prohibits smoking and the use of tobacco on all campus property.
    • Smoke and Tobacco-Free Campus Policy SAAP (10-08)
12. Final Examinations. Information about the final exam requirement, the final exam date requirement, and make-up examinations.
    • Examinations, Final SAAP (01-09)

Instructional Guidelines

Cancellation of Classes – Anticipated absence from class must be accounted for by colleague coverage or some other suitable accommodation. 

October 21, 1993

1895

March 16, 2006

1895A

January 24, 2008

1895B

February 16, 2012

1895R3

May 11, 2017

1895R4

October 19, 2017

1895R5

February 21, 2019

No. 1895R6