Dear colleagues,
As we settle into the fall semester, I remind you of several important initiatives that were voted on, passed and announced last spring that directly impact teaching this semester and onward.
Digital Syllabus is Required
The Student Government Association presented a resolution to Faculty Senate that all syllabi be available digitally. The Faculty Senate voted and agreed. This change was announced on April 29 and again on May 7. The Faculty Handbook was updated to include the requirement of syllabi via D2L in the Syllabus Requirement Policy, to ensure students receive digital copies of course syllabi. Hard copies also may be distributed in addition to digital format.
No Assignments Over University Breaks
Faculty Senate joined the Student Government Association in supporting that no coursework will be due during University breaks—from the time the break begins to the time classes resume—to support student mental health while also recognizing the varying access to technological resources when students are away from campus. This does not apply to existing long-term projects, make-up work or work related to incomplete (I) grades. This information was added to the Faculty Handbook, available here.
Faculty May Prohibit Videoing in Class
On February 20 and April 3, we announced the Faculty Digital and Social Media Engagement Guide to help protect privacy and safety in the learning environment. As our faculty and students contemplate complex issues, they should be able to engage in classroom discussions without fear that any statements will be misused or used outside of the classroom context. To that end, faculty may prohibit students from capturing or recording course content, materials or discussions without the permission of the instructor and/or other classroom participants. For virtual classrooms, faculty may lock access so that only those with permissions (passwords) can participate, and prevent screenshots. If you opt to follow these guidelines, it should be stated clearly in your syllabus. If a student refuses to adhere to your stated restrictions, refer to the Unprofessional Behavior, Disruptive Behavior, and Lack of Academic Progress Policy.
Other Updates
Three policies were updated and announced on September 4. The Academic Conduct Policy now includes unauthorized use of artificial intelligence as a form of academic misconduct. The new Unprofessional Behavior, Disruptive Behavior, and Lack of Academic Progress Policy combines, updates and replaces the former Disruptive Classroom Behavior and Lack of Academic Progress Policy and the Graduate Student Professional Behavior Standards. The Grade Appeal Policy has been updated for clarity and consistency of the process.
All of these policies and procedures are in effect for this semester and going forward. I hope you will familiarize yourself with them and access the Faculty Handbook as needed or bookmark it, available at provost.tcu.edu/handbook.
Let’s have a great semester and Go Frogs!
Best wishes,
Floyd
Floyd L. Wormley, Jr., Ph.D.
Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Vice Provost for Research
Dean of Graduate Studies