Course Syllabus
Attendance: absences should be reported through the Dean of Students to be excused and reported to your professors.
We are only allowed 3 absences this semester.
Our Mission and Our Shared Values
Faculty who wish to include information about the university’s mission and shared values statements in a syllabus for spring 2023 courses should use the following statements from the 2017-2023 Texas State University Plan:
Mission
Texas State University is a doctoral-granting, student-centered institution dedicated to excellence and innovation in teaching, research, including creative expression, and service. The university strives to create new knowledge, to embrace a diversity of people and ideas, to foster cultural and economic development, and to prepare its graduates to participate fully and freely as citizens of Texas, the nation, and the world.
Shared Values
In pursuing our mission, we, the faculty, staff, and students of Texas State University, are guided by a shared collection of values:
- Teaching and learning based on research, student involvement, and the free exchange of ideas in a supportive environment;
- Research and creative activities that encompass the full range of academic disciplines—research with relevance, from the sciences to the arts, from the theoretical to theapplied;
- The cultivation of character, integrity, honesty, civility, compassion, fairness, respect, and ethical behavior in all members of our university community;
- A diversity of people and ideas, a spirit of inclusiveness, a global perspective, and a sense of community as essential conditions for campus life;
- A commitment to service and leadership for the public good;
- Responsible stewardship of our resources and environment; and
- Continued reflection and evaluation to ensure that our strengths as a community always benefit those we serve.
Health and Wellbeing
The Dean of Students Office manages Here to Help to assist students experiencing crises or emergencies or displaying concerning behaviors. Submissions are received directly by the Dean of Students Office’s CARE Center. This process takes an individualized and holistic approach to assessing submissions and determining an appropriate course of action or referral based on the information provided in the submission.
The Counseling Center provides counseling, telemental health, and educational workshops and videos for students. For students, the Student Health Center provides evaluation and medical management of these common mental health issues and others.
Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) is a free online program available to faculty, staff, and students that helps build skills for dealing with anxiety, depression, and other common concerns. Bobcat Balance serves the legal, financial, and mental health needs of faculty and staff. LinkedIn Learning is available to all faculty, staff, and students and includes resources on well-being, career development, time management, and other skills and knowledge.
There are no requirements for face coverings, social distancing, and other COVID-19 measures at Texas State. Off-site providers of clinical courses, internships, student teaching, or other activities may have different requirements.
Student Absences and Absence Notification
Faculty have discretion in managing student absences, including those due to illness. Faculty members determine appropriate arrangements for students who miss class. Please refer to UPPS 02.06.03 and UPPS 02.06.01 for absences related to student participation in university-sponsored events and religious holy days.
For faculty who ask students requesting excused absences to contact the Dean of Students Office, students should be directed to use the online Student Absence Notification System. Additional information is available on the Dean of Students’ Absence Notifications webpage. Students should only be referred to the Dean of Students Office if they are unable to complete the on-line request due to access limitations or emergencies/crises. For questions, contact the Dean of Students Office at (512) 245-2124.
Syllabus Content Reminders (see section 13 of AA/PPS 02.03.01 for all syllabus requirements)
- Required class materials, access to materials,use of Canvas, and/or instructional strategies.
- Technology or software needed for the class, including getting support from ITAC.
- Exams, assignments, grading rubrics, assessment and testing, and due dates.
- Office hours.
- Attendance policy and record-keeping procedures.
- Assessment and testing strategies to enhance academic integrity.
Class Instruction Modes and Substantive Interaction
Classes will be fully implemented in the instruction mode that appears on the spring 2023 Schedule of Classes in Catsweb. In all courses, faculty members provide regular and substantive interaction with students. This interaction is instructor-driven, content-oriented, frequent, and consistent throughout the semester.
Statement on Civility in the Classroom and Instructional Settings
Civility in instructional settings is fundamental to an effective educational process and is everyone’s responsibility. The university’s shared values, sense of community, and collective commitment to respect, civil dialogue, and the free exchange of ideas are the cornerstones of successful teaching and learning. If students have questions about appropriate behavior in a particular class, they should address them with their instructor first. Although rare, disciplinary procedures may be implemented for refusing to follow an instructor’s directive, disrupting classroom activities, posting offensive comments on class discussion boards, or disregarding university policies. For more information regarding conduct in the classroom, please review policies at AA/PPS 02.03.02, Section 03: Courteous and Civil Learning Environment, and Code of Student Conduct, number II, Responsibilities of Students, Section 2.02: Conduct Prohibited.
Academic Integrity and Student Conduct
Instructor Absences
Faculty who are absent from class coordinate with their department chairs/school directors to ensure continuity of instruction. In some cases, a faculty member teaching face-to-face may transition to remote learning for a brief period by using Zoom, Teams, Canvas, or other tools. For extended absences, another faculty member may be asked to assume responsibility for the class. Deans and chairs/directors may contact the Office of the Provost for support or guidance. Provisions for faculty sick leave are found in UPPS 04.04.30, Section 03, Sick Leave Procedures.
Emergency Management
In the event of an emergency, students, faculty, and staff should monitor the Safety and Emergency Communications web page. This page will be updated with the latest information available to the university, in addition to providing links to information concerning safety resources and emergency procedures. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to sign up for the TXState Alert system.
Sexual Misconduct Reporting (SB 212)
Effective January 2, 2020, state law (SB 212) requires all university employees, acting in the course and scope of employment, who witness or receive information concerning an incident of sexual misconduct involving an enrolled student or employee to report all relevant information known about the incident to the university's Title IX office. According to SB 212, employees who knowingly fail to report or knowingly file a false report shall be terminated in accordance with university policy and The Texas State University System Rules and Regulations. Please access the webpage of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX for more information.