Syllabus Checklist and Sample Statements

Sample Syllabus Statement

Because an academic integrity violation is a type of violation or attempted violation of course or assessment policies, educators who want to constrain students’ use of generative technologies should notify them in their course syllabi and as part of their assessment instructions. Although the University does not offer a prescribed syllabus statement on academic integrity, many colleges and campuses provide statements that may be customized by educators. The following is an example of a contemporary syllabus statement created collaboratively by the members of the University Academic Integrity Leadership Community. 

According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity, an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.   

 

Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.

Recommended Addendum for Assessment Instructions

The following is an example of an abbreviated syllabus statement that educators could include with their assessment instructions. It has been endorsed by the members of the University Academic Integrity Leadership Community.

You must complete this work entirely on your own. You may not assist other students or use any online sites (e.g., Course Hero or Chegg), technologies (e.g., ChatGPT, language translators), tools, or sources that are prohibited. If your instructor permits the use of ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person or by generative technology, you must identify their source. You may not share any information about, or from, this assessment with others. If you have questions about these instructions, you should discuss them with your instructor before you begin.

Sourced from https://aiai.psu.edu/sample-syllabus-statements/ as of Aug. 13, 2024

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contact information for every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit Student Disability Resources website.

In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation: See documentation guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.

(Source: https://senate.psu.edu/faculty/syllabus-requirements/)

Educational Equity / Report Bias

We are committed to supporting an equitable living, learning, and working environment that affirms the dignity, worth, and value of all members of the Penn State Behrend community. We strive to create a campus culture that allows for openness, respect, and safety, an environment in which those with diverse attitudes, beliefs, values, and behaviors feel included and can thrive. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, harassment, and/or incivility due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity at the Report Bias site: https://universityethics.psu.edu/reporting-at-penn-state/student.

Title IX

Penn State University is committed to fostering an environment free of harassment and discrimination. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in public and private educational institutions that receive Federal funds. The University has dedicated many resources to addressing suspected prohibited conduct under Title IX. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment, including sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, and stalking, please know that help and supportive resources are available.

Faculty members are not required to disclose information to the Title IX Coordinator. However, Penn State strongly encourages all members of the community to take appropriate action by providing support and encouraging those impacted by such incidents to submit a report to the Title IX Coordinator.  You may also submit a report online by using the incident form found here:  Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Response Incident Report Form (maxient.com). If the University Title IX staff receives information about an incident, they will reach out to offer information about resources, rights, and procedural options available to you.

Penn State’s Title IX Coordinator is:

Amber Grove
Title IX Coordinator
328 Boucke Building
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 867-5088
https://titleix.psu.edu

At Penn State Behrend, contact for supportive resources, academic and housing accommodations:

Kelly Shrout
Interim Director of Student Affairs
kaw148@psu.edu
(814) 898-6111
https://titleix.psu.edu

Penn State Behrend Personal Counseling

Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 877-229-6400
Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741

(Adapted from https://senate.psu.edu/faculty/syllabus-requirements/)

• A text message to your cell phone if you have previously subscribed to receive such messages. If you have not yet signed up to receive PSU text message alerts, please go to PSUAlert to register and manage alerts.
• An e-mail message to your Penn State e-mail address and an announcement on the college’s website at behrend.psu.edu (if electrical service is intact).
• A message recorded at the college’s main telephone number at 814-898-6000.

In delay or cancellation decisions, we make every effort to balance the need for on-campus service with a concern for the well-being of campus community members.  When the college decides not to cancel scheduled activities, you should rely on your own judgment about travel during inclement weather.

Communication Plan (instructor can choose the method, but must cover the bolded part).

Sample:
I will use CANVAS as soon as reasonably possible to communicate with you any changes, including exam procedures, assignment deadlines, submission procedures and any other necessary instructions.

Faculty members also should have a plan for what to do if they themselves are in similar situation. Here is a list of Suggested Teaching Strategies in Residential Courses for Temporary Instructor or Student Absence (v. Jan. 05, 2022)

Select the statement that is the best fit for your class: Effective and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Instruction

(Source: https://integrity.psu.edu/academic-integrity)

(Text for All Courses)

Why tutoring?  Tutors can help identify and address gaps in your understanding of concepts, show you how to get the most from lectures, textbooks, etc., and provide advice by course on test preparation and study methods.  Last year, peer tutors provided nearly 4,000 sessions to students.

Schedule an appointment (in person or online) at tutorapp.bd.psu.edu or drop in at one of three locations.  Details are posted on our website.

Learning Resource Center | 203 Lilley Library | 814-898-6140 | behrend.psu.edu/lrc | BDtutor@psu.edu

(Text for Courses with Exam Prep or Guided Study Group Sessions)

Exam Prep Sessions are offered for this course.  It’s crucial to identify where your understanding is weak before the test instead of during it. Peer tutoring group sessions are held a few days before each exam.  Come with specific questions about the content you’re unsure about or general areas you find challenging.

This webpage has sample statements that explain when a class can be recorded and how it should be used: https://keepteaching.psu.edu/teaching-and-testing/course-policies-and-syllabus/class-recording-guidelines/

How to Share Kaltura/Zoom Recordings on Canvas? Check out the three options in the article below:
https://commonwealthteaching.psu.edu/guides/how-to-share-kaltura-zoom-recordings-on-canvas/

Instructors may refer to this page and choose the a version: https://keepteaching.psu.edu/teaching-and-testing/instruction-and-pedagogy/use-of-webcams/