Syllabus Guidelines for Faculty
Below are some helpful resources you can use to build your course syllabus:
UMaine Syllabus Template
UMaine Syllabus Manual
Required Syllabus Statements
There are five policy statements required for every syllabus at the University of Maine:
All of the required administrative policy statements (academic integrity, mandatory reporting, etc.) should either appear on the instructor’s syllabus or be shared with students via the link to the Required Syllabus Statements page. The goal of administration and faculty is to ensure that students are aware of and have access to the statements electronically or in hard copy.
For the Sexual Discrimination Reporting, one of the two versions below must be present in the syllabus.
Academic Honesty Statement
Academic Honesty Statement: Academic honesty is very important. It is dishonest to cheat on exams, to copy term papers, to submit papers written by another person, or generated by software or systems without the explicit approval of the instructor, to fake experimental results, or to copy or reword parts of books or articles into your own papers without appropriately citing the source. Students committing or aiding in any of these violations may be given failing grades for an assignment or for an entire course, at the discretion of the instructor. In addition to any academic action taken by an instructor, these violations are also subject to action under the University of Maine Student Conduct Code. The maximum possible sanction under the student conduct code is dismissal from the University. Please see the University of Maine System’s Academic Integrity Policy listed in the Board Policy Manual as Policy 314 (*Date Issued: September 1, 2020): https://www.maine.edu/board-of-trustees/policy-manual/section-314/
Last Updated: 07.07.2023
Student Accessibility Services Statement
Students Accessibility Services Statement [This should be customized to include the instructor’s name]:
If you have a disability for which you may be requesting an accommodation, please contact Student Accessibility Services, located at the Center for Accessibility and Volunteer Engagement at the UCU, 139 Rangeley Rd, um.sas@maine.edu, 207.581.2319, as early as possible in the term. Students may begin the accommodation process by submitting an accommodation request form online and uploading documentation at https://umaine-accommodate.symplicity.com/public_accommodation/. Once students meet with SAS and eligibility has been determined, students submit an online request with SAS each semester to activate their approved accommodations. SAS creates an accessibility letter each semester which informs faculty of potential course access and approved reasonable accommodations; the letter is sent directly to the course instructor. Students who have already been approved for accommodations by SAS and have a current accommodation letter should meet with me (the instructor of the course) privately as soon as possible.
Last Updated: 04.01.2024
Course Schedule Disclaimer (Disruption Clause)
Course Schedule Disclaimer (Disruption Clause): In the event of an extended disruption of normal classroom activities (due to COVID-19 or other long-term disruptions), the format for this course may be modified to enable its completion within its programmed time frame. In that event, you will be provided an addendum to the syllabus that will supersede this version.
Last Updated: 08.17.2020
Observance of Religious Holidays/Events
Observance of Religious Holidays/Events: The University of Maine recognizes that when students are observing significant religious holidays, some may be unable to attend classes or labs, study, take tests, or work on other assignments. If they provide adequate notice (at least one week and longer if at all possible), these students are allowed to make up course requirements as long as this effort does not create an unreasonable burden upon the instructor, department or University. At the discretion of the instructor, such coursework could be due before or after the examination or assignment. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to a student’s grade for the examination, study, or course requirement on the day of religious observance. The student shall not be marked absent from the class due to observing a significant religious holiday. In the case of an internship or clinical, students should refer to the applicable policy in place by the employer or site.
Last Updated: 08.17.2020
Sexual Discrimination Reporting (Long Version)
Sexual Discrimination Reporting
The University of Maine is committed to making campus a safe place for students. Because of this commitment, if you tell any of your teachers about sexual discrimination involving members of the campus, your teacher is required to report this information to Title IX Student Services or the Office of Equal Opportunity.
Behaviors that can be “sexual discrimination” include sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, relationship abuse (dating violence and domestic violence), sexual misconduct, and gender discrimination. Therefore, all of these behaviors must be reported.
Why do teachers have to report sexual discrimination?
The university can better support students in trouble if we know about what is happening. Reporting also helps us to identify patterns that might arise – for example, if more than one victim reports having been assaulted or harassed by the same individual.
What will happen to a student if a teacher reports?
An employee from Title IX Student Services or the Office of Equal Opportunity will reach out to you and offer support, resources, and information. You will be invited to meet with the employee to discuss the situation and the various options available to you.
If you have requested confidentiality, the University will weigh your request that no action be taken against the institution’s obligation to provide a safe, nondiscriminatory environment for all students. If the University determines that it can maintain confidentiality, you must understand that the institution’s ability to meaningfully investigate the incident and pursue disciplinary action, if warranted, may be limited. There are times when the University may not be able to honor a request for confidentiality because doing so would pose a risk to its ability to provide a safe, nondiscriminatory environment for everyone. If the University determines that it cannot maintain confidentiality, the University will advise you, prior to starting an investigation and, to the extent possible, will share information only with those responsible for handling the institution’s response
The University is committed to the well-being of all students and will take steps to protect all involved from retaliation or harm.
If you want to talk in confidence to someone about an experience of sexual discrimination, please contact these resources:
For confidential resources on campus: Counseling Center: 207-581-1392 or Cutler Health Center: at 207-581-4000.
For confidential resources off campus: Rape Response Services: 1-800-871-7741 or Partners for Peace: 1-800-863-9909.
Other resources: The resources listed below can offer support but may have to report the incident to others who can help:
For support services on campus: Title IX Student Services: 207-581-1406, Office of Community Standards: 207-581-1409, University of Maine Police: 207-581-4040 or 911. Or see the Title IX Student Services website for a complete list of services (opens in a new window). Also, Student Wellness Resource Center (opens in a new window).
Last Updated: 08.17.2020
Sexual Discrimination Reporting (Short Version)
Sexual Discrimination Reporting
The University of Maine is committed to making campus a safe place for students. Because of this commitment, if you tell a teacher about an experience of sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, relationship abuse (dating violence and domestic violence), sexual misconduct or any form of gender discrimination involving members of the campus, your teacher is required to report this information to Title IX Student Services or the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you want to talk in confidence to someone about an experience of sexual discrimination, please contact these resources:
For confidential resources on campus: Counseling Center: 207-581-1392 or Cutler Health Center: at 207-581-4000.
For confidential resources off campus: Rape Response Services: 1-800-871-7741 or Partners for Peace: 1-800-863-9909.
Other resources: The resources listed below can offer support but may have to report the incident to others who can help:
For support services on campus: Title IX Student Services: 207-581-1406, Office of Community Standards: 207-581-1409, University of Maine Police: 207-581-4040 or 911. Or see the Title IX Student Services website for a complete list of services (open in a new window) . Also, Student Wellness Resource Center (opens in a new window).
Last Updated: 08.17.2020
CITL’s suggested language to promote compassion and belonging in the classroom can be found below.
Non-Sexist Language Policy
Some faculty also find it helpful to include a statement about classroom civility. Depending upon your course content, you may also wish to include a statement about inclusive or non-sexist language.
The University of Maine’s non-sexist language policy may be viewed here.
Students Wishing to Retain Personal Copies of Course Submissions
Faculty may wish to add the following to their syllabus to advise student to make sure that they retain copies of their work outside of the Brightspace course shell:
If you wish to retain a personal copy of material you submitted through Brightspace, please do so before the end of the semester. You will not have access to a course’s Brightspace site after you complete the course. You can store copies of material you wish to retain on Google Drive, your hard drive, or other media of your choosing. Other materials posted by your faculty may be found at the library.
UMaine Writing Center Syllabus Language
The UMaine Writing Center offers tutors and other useful services for students. They have developed some adaptable syllabus language for faculty to include in their syllabus. This will explain their services and how students can register or visit them.
The University of Maine Writing Center syllabus language may be viewed here.
Names and Pronouns
Many people might go by names and pronouns in our daily lives that are different from our legal designators (e.g., members of various ethnic groups, international students, trans* people, and others). In this classroom, we honor inclusivity by referring to one another by the names and pronouns each of us chooses for ourselves. Class rosters may not always reflect students’ chosen names and gender
identifications. I want to make sure we are able to address you by the name and/or pronouns you use. At the beginning of the semester, we will introduce ourselves, including, if desired, sharing our chosen names and pronouns, including how they sound when said out loud. If you would rather protect this information, please let me know. Additionally, chosen names and personal pronouns may evolve over time, so if at any point during the semester you would like to be addressed differently, please let me
know. In our classrooms, mistakes in addressing one another may happen. If a mistake is made, let’s briefly apologize and correct ourselves. To learn more about personal pronouns and why they are important, visit mypronouns.org. More information about University policies on name usage, including
guidance on updating your name and pronouns, can be found on the University of Maine Student Records page.
Classroom Interactions
This class is premised on the belief that we all work together to promote an inclusive learning environment for all and that the use of gross generalizations, stereotypes, and derogatory/oppressive language are not conducive to inclusivity. Elevating practices of supportive communication and learning from one another, we commit to naming instances of using derogatory and/or oppressive communication in our shared classroom (including by the instructor or directed toward them). If oppressive communication is called out, we will stop, listen with empathy and expand the learning opportunity for everyone. You may not agree with the views expressed by others (and you shouldn’t), but we must all agree to make space for difference. Listening to the perspectives of others creates greater understanding of the diversity of experiences, knowledge, and ways of being in society.
Compassion Statement
Given the realities of our dynamic world, this course is
designed with flexibility in mind. To continue protecting our health and wellness, we will
adhere to the University of Maine’s COVID-19 guidance, which is regularly updated. I
will check in with you regularly to reflect on circumstances in your life and their impact
on your learning. Because we cannot predict all eventualities, it is imperative we
communicate with openness, so that we can adapt if/as needed.
If something affects you and/or your learning in class (e.g., visible and invisible
disabilities, personal challenges, class design), please let me know as soon as possible
so that we can discuss and design strategies for inclusion and success together. Listed
below are some commonly used student success resources on campus. If you don’t see
a resource that fits your needs or if you are uncertain about how to seek support, please
contact me and we can discuss options and outreach.
Academic Support Resources
● Student Accessibility Services
● Tutoring
● Writing Center
● Fogler Library
● Health and Wellness Resources
● Counseling Center
● Mind Spa
● Cutler
● Campus Community and Diversity Resources
● Multicultural Center
● Wilson Center
Compassion statement abridged version
Life is complicated. If something affects you and/or your learning in class (e.g., visible and invisible disabilities, personal challenges, class design), please let us know as soon as possible so that we can
discuss and design strategies for inclusion and success together. Listed below are some commonly used student success resources on campus. If you don’t see a resource that fits your needs or if you are uncertain about how to seek support, please contact me and we can discuss options and outreach.
Academic Support Resources
● Student Accessibility Services
● Tutoring
● Writing Center
● Fogler Library
● Health and Wellness Resources
● Counseling Center
● Mind Spa
● Cutler
● Campus Community and Diversity Resources
● Multicultural Center
● Wilson Center
If you wish to have a statement relating to COVID-19 in your syllabus, we recommend the following:
To keep our campus safe, students are expected to comply with all University policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the latest guidance, please visit https://umaine.edu/return or https://www.maine.edu/together/community-guidance/students/