Best Practices for Inclusivity and CPP Syllabus Policy Alignment
This checklist offers recognized best practices to encourage student belonging and success in your course. The first column aligns with the minimum requirements of a Cal Poly Pomona syllabus (CPP Policy 1200 – University Course Syllabus (https://www.cpp.edu/academic-manual/1200-1299-research-and-instructional-support/1200-1299/cpp_policy-1200.pdf)).
Required by CPP Policy
Inclusive practice addressing CPP policy
Examples
Example: You can call me Dr. Billy Bronco or Dr. Bronco. "Professor" is fine, too.
Example:Email <insert email> I will respond within 24 hr Mon - Fri and at my convenience on weekends. I don't respond to email after 8pm or before 7am to maintain some work-life balance. Email is the best way to get in touch!
Add a section on how students can get help: I welcome your questions, concerns, and conversations! Please reach out.
Meet with me on <insert days, times>, (right before class!) in my office at Bldg <insert bldg/room>. Leave a voicemail at <insert phone>. If my Monday meeting hours don't work for you, please email and we'll set up an appointment. Being available to help you is important to me!
For instance: Class and lab format: Face to Face Lecture (2 credits): <add days and times> and <add bldg. and room> Lab (1 credit): <add days and times><add bldg. and room>
<add an image of yourself>
My professional training... My personal interests are... This class is important to me because...
Materials may include diverse racial, cultural, social, and/or global perspectives, providing for discussion and appreciation of diversity, equity, and inclusion goals at CSU campus.
Is there diversity in authors' backgrounds, as appropriate?
Are there multiple perspectives represented from scholars in the field?
<ensure you mention any relevant technologies needed for your own course>
Example: You need reliable access to computer and internet to get assigned readings and activities from Canvas and other websites, and to turn in assignments. Please let me know if you have technology access issues so we can connect you with campus resources.
Example: Foundational skills you'll need for this class include basic arithmetic and simple algebra; fluency in reading university-level textbooks and materials; ability to follow directions; willingness to interact meaningfully in synchronous meetings and/or online in discussion boards and the like; ability to use email, Canvas, and basic internet functions such as searching.
Example: Topics may be adjusted as we go. Due dates will not change.
CPP syllabus policy requires an explanation of the grading system and the examination methods.
Explain the grading system in clear, direct, student-friendly terms.
1 The "hidden curriculum" is the body of unspoken or implicit academic, social, and cultural messages communicated to students. The hidden curriculum is unacknowledged and unexplained, but powerfully shapes students' experiences because it shapes faculty and institutional expectations. First-generation students and international students are especially negatively impacted when the hidden curriculum operates (The Hidden Curriculum, Glossary of Education Reform, 2015).
Example: "Both the amount of work and the quality of your work tie into your grade, which is typical of professional career evaluation. There are several categories of work. You need to do certain things and achieve a certain quality of work for the grade you want. See grading system for our class for more details."
Avoid grading on a curve or using a system in which an early failure cannot be fully redeemed.
Avoid a system that significantly confounds progress in learning with simple attendance or other unrelated issues
Example: "It's supportive to choose a grading system that supports growth and perseverance, rather than resulting in competition or students giving up. See the Grading for Growth (https://gradingforgrowth.com) blog for many good ideas."
Clearly outline for students the format of each exam (e.g., multiple choice, written responses, open book, etc.), the length/number of questions, and any other information that can help students best prepare for examinations.
Policies must accommodate National Guard or military service, jury service, or emergency response obligations. Policies should reasonably accommodate family responsibilities, chronic or unexpected medical problems including pregnancy-related requirements, co-curricular activities (athletics, performances, etc.), and religious obligations.
Example: Make-ups are given only for the most serious reasons with verifiable documentation. This is because in the graphic art world, missing deadlines can result in losing big clients or losing significant income. It's important that our practices in this class align with the realities of the profession.
Example: What if life happens? Make-up and late work
Please let me know if circumstances arise which make it difficult for you to meet class obligations. I will make every effort to work with you within university policy guidelines. If you have obligations such as jury duty or military service, Cal Poly Pomona activities, medical issues including pregnancy-related, or significant family responsibilities, please talk to me.
Stating that the course will follow Cal Poly Pomona policies is inadequate. CPP policies provide for academic freedom for faculty to determine the appropriate response to academic dishonesty in a course, in addition to requiring reporting of academic dishonesty to Student Conduct & Integrity.
Example: "Cheating and plagiarism include but are not limited to: Paying someone to do an assignment for you, purchasing a paper that someone else wrote, pretending you did work that you didn't do, copying someone else's work, using materials from Chegg, CourseHero, etc. In addition, do not contribute materials from this class to Chegg or CourseHero -- your work is your work, but the assignments and experiences I've created for you are my work and I do not give consent for that work to be shared with such outlets."
Example: "Integrity and ethical behavior are central to a positive professional identity. I understand that pressure can be severe for students and it is tempting to take shortcuts. Do not make cheating one of those shortcuts. Instead, talk to me and let's figure out what resources and support you need to succeed.
A boss will fire you immediately for lying, and academic dishonesty is lying. Cheating and plagiarism put all students at risk: If a lot of CPP students cheat, then a grade or a degree from CPP is worthless."
Example: Academic dishonesty at any stage of a project or activity will result in at least a failing grade for that activity, with more severe penalties possible in consultation with Student Conduct. Again, if you're under pressure and in trouble, I urge you to make the good choice of talking to me to see what we can work out.
Recommended Syllabus Elements
Here are some additional elements we recommend adding to make your syllabus inclusive.
Recommended syllabus element
Inclusive practice that addresses this element
Examples
Example: In particular, if you are a student with a disability, please contact the Disability Resource Center to coordinate specific accommodations, and I will gladly work with you. I have striven to make all instructional materials basically accessible, but if you find something you can't access (for example, if you need video captions and they are not present on a video) please let me know. Here's Cal Poly Pomona's policy on accessibility.
Example: Include in your Course Schedule your exam info, day and time. Cumulative individual final exam, 9:00 - 10:50am
These links to resources are being curated on the CAFE website and will be periodically updated to provide the most current, up-to-date information
Resource: Warming Up Your Syllabus (https://www.montclair.edu/faculty-excellence/teaching-resources/pedagogical-strategies-that-support-learning/warming-up-your-syllabus)
Examples: Does the instructor clearly describe in the syllabus how they will engage with students? Does the instructor participate in discussion forums (e.g., responds to 1/3rd of posts)? Does the instructor provide insightful comments and make connections between students' points of view?
Example: Are the students given the option of presenting a final project in the form of a written essay, multimedia presentation, or a video?
Example: We will do a lot of active learning. I will NOT spend two hours lecturing! You will solve problems, work with data and materials, and talk to each other during class. An overwhelming body of research shows that active involvement during class is more effective for learning.
Example: It is my intention that every teaching choice I make and every interaction I have with you leads to a climate that is respectful, open, welcoming, and encouraging to all students. When you interact with one another, I ask that everyone is respectful, helpful, and kind. I welcome you to approach me with any concerns you have about the class climate and relationships within the class as we proceed through the semester.
Example: "This class and lab will demand significant time, at least 9 hours per week. Calendar your time!"
Example: A good practice is to show the calendar to a person, ideally a student, who is not a member of the class, to see if they can follow; adjust as needed.
Example: Here is a special note on chatGPT, DALL-E2 and other AI softwares that can compose coherent written or visual responses: The use of these resources must be disclosed and cited no matter when or how they are used. Use of these tools without disclosure is pretending you did work you didn't do.