This policy aims to ensure a consistent and high-quality academic experience for students by requiring that all courses have an accessible syllabus that is provided to students in a timely manner. This policy establishes the minimum components required in a syllabus. The syllabus clearly communicates the nature, content, and relevant expectations of a course. Additionally, consistent syllabi support compliance with accreditation standards, enhance articulation and evaluations for course equivalency with other institutions, assist faculty members in course preparation, assessment, and program review, and provide students with a clearer understanding of what is expected of them in their role as students.
The Syllabus Policy applies to all undergraduate credit and non-credit (e.g., ESL, ABSE) courses in all modalities at all Lane Community College locations. It does not apply to Continuing Education courses.
Instructors will provide students with a syllabus at the start of the course or sooner. A syllabus may be revised by the instructor at their professional discretion or as necessary to comply with legal requirements, institutional policy, accreditation standards, or operational circumstances affecting course delivery (e.g., academic calendar changes, campus closures, or required accessibility or compliance updates).
Instructors will provide a copy of their course syllabus for each section in a manner determined by their dean by the end of the first week of the course.
A syllabus will include, at a minimum:
- The course title, course registration number (CRN), course number, and approved catalog description
- Current academic term, dates of course, course days/times/hours, location and/or modality
- Instructor’s name and contact information
- The course objectives and course learning outcomes as approved and published in the academic catalog
- Final exam date, time, and location, when available
- Course pre- and/or co-requisites and/or course placement information
- Accessibility notification (see Disabilities: Accessibility Statements for Students and Community)
- Link to Student Code of Conduct (see Academic Integrity)
- Course-specific academic integrity statement that addresses appropriate use of generative AI technologies
- The instructor's office hours (see Instructor Hours on Campus Policy)
- The instructor's grading policies, including grading breakdown, e.g., “97-100% = A+”
- Late work policy
- Attendance and participation definitions and expectations
- General assignments, quizzes, tests (graded evaluations)
- Field trips, class requirements outside of designated class time/modality, and other optional activities for the class
- A list of the textbook(s) and reference/instructional materials used in/required for the course
- Any required tools or supplies, including computer hardware or software programs beyond those provided by the course and institution
A syllabus is a document that describes the design, structure, requirements, expectations, and resources available in a course. It establishes mutual expectations between the instructor and students regarding performance standards, learning outcomes, and the schedule of topics and activities, serving as a framework for the conduct and objectives of the course.