Syllabi and Learning Management System

Policy 1.9
Approved by:	President
Responsible Officer:	PROVOST AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Responsible Office:	ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Originally Issued:	04/03/2023
Last Revision:	NEW
Category:	Academics
Related Policy
SDBOR Policy 2:37 Syllabi and Learning Management System
SDBOR Academic Affairs Syllabi Guidelines 5.3

I. REASON FOR THIS POLICY

The purpose of this policy is to specify the required components of course syllabi, the accessibility of syllabi, the timeline for posting syllabi, and the requirements for posting syllabi.

II. DEFINITIONS

1. Course Syllabus: An academic document that communicates information about a specific course and explains the rules, responsibilities and expectations associated with the course.
2. Course Schedule: An outline providing students with a list of lecture topics, activities, assignments, and due dates to be used in preparation and planning of their student engagement and success.
3. Instructor of Record: The individual assigned by the institution with overall responsibility for the development and implementation of the course syllabus, delivery of the course, and issuing grades for a given course.
4. Learning Management System (LMS): A comprehensive, integrated software that supports the development, delivery, assessment, and administration of courses in traditional face-to-face, blended, or online learning environments.
5. BOR: The South Dakota Board of Regents which is the constitutional body responsible for governing the Unified System of Public Higher Education in the state of South Dakota.
6. AAC: The Academic Affairs Council consists of the Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs of each of the SD BOR institutions of higher education and is chaired by the BOR Vice President for Academic Affairs. AAC guidelines operationalize SD BOR Policies.

III. STATEMENT OF POLICY

1.  a. It is the obligation of each instructor to inform students at the beginning of each course of the objectives, requirements, performance standards, and evaluation procedures for the course. This information should be in writing and incorporated in the current syllabus for the course.
2. The instructor of record will activate (in the LMS) the course no fewer than three working days prior to the start of the term.
3. The instructor of record will post (in the LMS) the course syllabus no fewer than three working days prior to the start of the term.
4. The required course syllabi components are specified in AAC Guideline 5.3.
5. All syllabi must meet current accessibility standards as outlined in the BOR Online Quality Assurance Rubric which is linked from AAC Guideline 5.8.
6. Faculty that properly use the DSU Accessible Syllabus Template for their class will meet the accessibility and course syllabi components requirements found in AAC Guidelines, SD BOR Policies, and DSU Policies.
7. Syllabi for general education courses must include specific reference to SD BOR General Education Goals and corresponding learning outcomes which are specified in AAC Guideline 8.3.
8. Syllabi for online courses must include or provide links to statements for learner interactions, proctoring expectations, netiquette expectations, minimum technology requirements, minimum student skills and if applicable prerequisite knowledge in the discipline which are described in the BOR Online Quality Assurance Rubric which is linked from AAC Guideline 5.8.
9. The instructor of record may modify the course schedule throughout the semester as necessary and appropriate to adjust to changing circumstances, provided students are given sufficient and prompt notice of any such changes and such changes do not unduly penalize students. See AAC Guideline 5.3, for the procedures related to course schedule modification.

Exceptions
1. Courses that are exempt from the LMS posting requirement include internships, thesis, and dissertation sections (Student Information System Instructional method of U Thesis/Research Sustaining, T Thesis, S Internship/Practicum). These sections will require an agreement to be completed between the institution and the student.

2. For clinical experiences, the course syllabus/agreement will be posted in the applicable clinical LMS.

IV PROCEDURES (MAJOR)

1. Courses that are added to fill a course enrollment management need (See BOR Policy 2.35) may post the syllabus after the three working day requirement, but not later than the first full week of classes.
2. Courses that have a change in the instructor of record may post the syllabus after the three working day requirement, but not later than the first full week of classes.
3. If a change in the instructor occurs due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. medical leave) during the semester, the institution will work with the students and the new instructor to ensure the syllabus is properly updated.
4. Instructors will send an electronic copy of the syllabus to the college support staff on or before the first day of the course. A current syllabus for each course is maintained by the College support staff in the Dean’s office, instructors will send an updated syllabus to the college support staff whenever a change is made to the syllabus.
5. College support staff shall retain and maintain syllabi in conformity with the SDBOR Record Retention regulations.

V. RELATED DOCUMENTS, FORMS, AND TOOLS

• SD BOR Policy Manual
• AAC Guidelines
• DSU Accessible Syllabus Template
• SD BOR Policy Number 2.37 – Syllabi and Learning Management System Policy
• SD BOR Policy Number 2.35 – Course Enrollment Management Policy
• SD BOR Policy Number 1.11 – Academic Freedom and Responsibility
• SD BOR Policy Number 2.33 – Student Academic Misconduct
• SD BOR Policy Number 3.4 – Student Code of Conduct
• SD BOR Policy Number 7.1 – Acceptable Use of Information Technology Systems
• SD BOR Policy Number 7.3 – Campus Alert System
• AAC Guideline 5.3 – Syllabus Policy and Common Format Guidelines
• AAC Guideline 5.8 – Online Course Quality Assurance Rubric
• AAC Guideline 8.3 – General Education Curriculum Requirements

VI. POLICY HISTORY

Adopted: 04/03/2023