The Code of Teaching Responsibility minimally requires instructors to inform their students at the beginning of the semester of the following: 

1. course content and instructional objectives, which must be consistent with the university-approved course description found in the MSU  Descriptions of Courses catalog;
2. instructor contact information and office hours, with a provision for arranged office hours to accommodate students whose schedules conflict with the regularly-scheduled office hours; office hours must comply with the minimum number of hours approved by each unit;;
3. grading criteria and method used to determine final course grade;
4. date of final examination, scheduled according to the University final exam schedule, and tentative dates of required assignments, quizzes, and tests, if applicable;
5. attendance policy, if different from the University attendance policy and especially when the attendance policy affects students' grades; and
6. required and recommended course materials, including textbooks and supplies.

Instructors should consider including: 

1. course number and title, section number (if applicable) and scheduled class time;
2. course Web site (if applicable);
3. instructor's (and TA's, if applicable) name, office address, phone number and e-mail address, with recommendations on which method of contact the instructor prefers;
4. tentative deadlines for required and recommended readings;
5. tentative schedule of course topics;
6. required field trips, rehearsals, etc., scheduled outside of regularly-scheduled class time, along with any accompanying fees and tickets;
7. make-up policy for designated course work;
8. tardy policy and its impact, if any, on grades;
9. common test dates for all sections of a multi-section course, as approved by the unit;
10. course prerequisites and restrictions, as they appear in the Descriptions of Courses catalog; 
11. information about required course-management software, such as ANGEL,
12. any course procedures unique to the course that might cause students to reconsider their enrollment in the course, and
13. your policy for use of cell phones, calculators and other electronic equipment in the classroom.

What university policies or procedures should I consider including in my syllabus?

Consider including any of these statements:

1. Academic Honesty: Article 2.3.3 of the Academic Freedom Report states that "The student shares with the faculty the responsibility for maintaining the integrity of scholarship, grades, and professional standards." In addition, the (insert name of unit offering course) adheres to the policies on academic honesty as specified in General Student Regulations 1.0, Protection of Scholarship and Grades; the all-University Policy on Integrity of Scholarship and Grades; and Ordinance 17.00, Examinations.  (See Spartan Life: Student Handbook and Resource Guide and/or the MSU Web site: www.msu.edu.)
     Therefore, unless authorized by your instructor, you are expected to complete all course assignments, including homework, lab work, quizzes, tests and exams, without assistance from any source. You are expected to develop original work for this course; therefore, you may not submit course work you completed for another course to satisfy the requirements for this course.  Also, you are not authorized to use the www.allmsu.com Web site to complete any course work in (insert course number here). Students who violate MSU academic integrity rules may receive a penalty grade, including a failing grade on the assignment or in the course.  Contact your instructor if you are unsure about the appropriateness of your course work.  (See also http://www.msu.edu/unit/ombud/dishonestyFAQ.html )

2. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:  Students with disabilities should contact the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities to establish reasonable accommodations. For an appointment with a disability specialist, call 353-9642 (voice), 355-1293 (TTY), or visit MyProfile.rcpd.msu.edu.
   
3. Drops and Adds:  The last day to add this course is the end of the first week of classes. The last day to drop this course with a 100 percent refund and no grade reported is (insert date). The last day to drop this course with no refund and no grade reported is (insert date). You should immediately make a copy of your amended schedule to verify you have added or dropped this course.
4. Commercialized Lecture Notes:  Commercialization of lecture notes and university-provided course materials is [permitted] [not permitted]  in this course.**
5. Attendance:  Students whose names do not appear on the official class list for this course may not attend this class. Students who fail to attend the first four class sessions or class by the fifth day of the semester, whichever occurs first, may be dropped from the course.
   
6. Internet:  Some professional journals will not consider a submission for publication if the article has appeared on the Internet. Please notify your instructor in writing if you do not want your course papers posted to the course Web site.
7. Disruptive Behavior:  Article 2.3.5 of the Academic Freedom Report (AFR) for students at Michigan State University states: "The student's behavior in the classroom shall be conducive to the teaching and learning process for all concerned." Article 2.3.10 of the AFR states that "The student has a right to scholarly relationships with faculty based on mutual trust and civility." General Student Regulation 5.02 states: "No student shall . . . interfere with the functions and services of the University (for example, but not limited to, classes . . .) such that the function or service is obstructed or disrupted. Students whose conduct adversely affects the learning environment in this classroom may be subject to disciplinary action through the Student Faculty Judiciary process.

Yes and, again, it must be accessible to students at the beginning of the semester.

Once I distribute my course syllabus, can I change it?

Is the course syllabus considered a “contract” between my students and me?

No, the course syllabus technically is not a legal contract. That said, it remains your responsibility to meet course expectations and follow course procedures you announced at the beginning of the semester, per the Code of Teaching Responsibility, the AFR, the GSRR and the faculty handbook. 

*Tuition covers the costs of course syllabi; therefore, instructors may not include syllabi in course packets that students are required to purchase.
 
**Note: The Code of Teaching Responsibility requires instructors who permit students to commercialize their class lecture notes to include a statement in their course syllabi that gives such permission. Absent such permission, students may not do so.

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