Syllabus Policy Language

Syllabus policy language statements were last updated Fall 2014.

Required statements

Emergency response statement

At the first class meeting, students should become familiar with a basic emergency action plan through a dialogue with the instructor that includes a review and awareness of exits specific to the classroom and the location of evacuation centers for the building. All instructors are provided this information specific to their classroom and/or lab assignments in an email prior to the beginning of the fall semester from the Office of the Provost and University Safety. Students with disabilities impacting mobility should discuss the approved accommodations for emergency situations and additional options when applicable with the instructor. For more information, please refer to the Emergency Quick Reference and the Emergency Operations Plans

Religious accommodation

The University may provide a reasonable accommodation based on a person’s sincerely held religious belief. In making this determination, the University reviews a variety of factors, including whether the accommodation would create an undue hardship. The accommodation request imposes responsibilities and obligations on both the individual requesting the accommodation and the University. Students who expect to miss classes, examinations, or other assignments as a consequence of their sincerely held religious belief shall be provided with a reasonable alternative opportunity to complete such academic responsibilities. It is the obligation of students to provide faculty with reasonable notice of the dates of religious observances on which they will be absent by submitting a Request for Religious Accommodation Form to the instructor by the end of the third week of a full semester course or the end of the second week of a half semester course.

Statement of attendance policy

Instructors must provide students with a written statement of the specific attendance policy for that class. The instructor has the responsibility to determine specific attendance policies for each course taught, including the role that attendance plays in the calculation of final grades and the extent to which work missed due to non-attendance can be made up. The University encourages instructors not to make attendance a disproportionately weighted component of the final grade, and also expects instructors to be reasonable in accommodating students whose absence from class resulted from: 1) participation in University-sanctioned activities and programs; 2) personal illness; or 3) family and/or other compelling circumstances. 
For more information, please refer to the Missouri State Attendance Policy.

Statement of grading policy

Faculty have the choice to utilize either the standard grade policy or the plus/minus grading option but are required to indicate their grading scale on their syllabus.
For more information, please refer to the Grading and Credit Point System

Statement on academic dishonesty

Missouri State University is a community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who accept the responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity. Students are responsible for knowing and following the university’s student honor code, Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures and also available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library. Any student participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in this policy.

Statement on nondiscrimination

Missouri State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your right to address inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to the Office for Institutional Equity and Compliance, Carrington Hall 205, 417-836-4252. Other types of concerns (i.e., concerns of an academic nature) should be discussed directly with your instructor and can also be brought to the attention of your instructor’s Department Head. Please refer to Office for Institutional Equity and Compliance

Statement on disability accommodation

To request academic accommodations for a disability, contact the director of the Disability Resource Center, Meyer Library, Suite 111, 417-836-4192 or 417-836-6792 (TTY). Students are required to provide documentation of disability to the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations.

Statement on cell phone policy

As a member of the learning community, each student has a responsibility to other students who are members of the community. When cell phones or pagers ring and students respond in class or leave class to respond, it disrupts the class. Therefore, the Office of the Provost prohibits the use by students of cell phones, pagers, PDAs, or similar communication devices during scheduled classes. All such devices must be turned off or put in a silent (vibrate) mode and ordinarily should not be taken out during class. Given the fact that these same communication devices are an integral part of the University’s emergency notification system, an exception to this policy would occur when numerous devices activate simultaneously. When this occurs, students may consult their devices to determine if a university emergency exists. If that is not the case, the devices should be immediately returned to silent mode and put away. Other exceptions to this policy may be granted at the discretion of the instructor.

Optional statements

Dropping a class

It is your responsibility to understand the University’s procedure for dropping a class. If you stop attending this class but do not follow proper procedure for dropping the class, you will receive a failing grade and will also be financially obligated to pay for the class. For information about dropping a class or withdrawing from the university, contact the Office of the Registrar at 417-836-5520. See Academic Calendars for deadlines.

Audio and video recording course activity

Students may make audio or video recordings of course activity. However, the redistribution of audio or video recordings from the course to individuals who are not students in the class is prohibited without the express permission of the faculty member and any of the students who are recorded.