In addition to policies and guidance regarding our particular course, the University asks faculty to include the following in each syllabus:
Academic Support Services
Student Support Services
Instructional Technology
University-Wide Policies
Academic Support Services
Academic Support
All students may take advantage of the Academic Support and Access Center (ASAC) for individual academic skills counseling, workshops, Tutoring and Writing Lab appointments, peer tutor referrals, and Supplemental Instruction. The ASAC is located in Mary Graydon Center 243.
Additional academic support resources available at AU include the Bender Library, the Department of Literature’s Writing Center (located in the Library), the Math Lab in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, and the Center for Language Exploration, Acquisition, & Research (CLEAR) in Anderson Hal, Room B-10l. A more complete list of campus-wide resources is available in the ASAC.
International Student & Scholar Services
International Student & Scholar Services has resources to support academic success and participation in campus life including academic counseling, support for second language learners, response to questions about visas, immigration status and employment and intercultural programs, clubs and other campus resources. (202-885-3350, Butler Pavilion 410).
Writing Center
The Writing Center offers free, individual coaching sessions to all AU students. In your 45-minute session, a student writing consultant can help you address your assignments, understand the conventions of academic writing, and learn how to revise and edit your own work. (202-885-2991, Bender Library – 1st Floor Commons).
Student Support Services
Center for Diversity & Inclusion (CDI)
CDI is dedicated to enhancing LGBTQ, multicultural, first-generation, and women’s experiences on campus and to advancing AU’s commitment to respecting and valuing diversity by serving as a resource and liaison to students, staff, and faculty on issues of equity through education, outreach, and advocacy. It is located on the 2nd floor of Mary Graydon Center (202-885-3651, MGC 201 & 202).
Counseling Center
The Counseling Center offers counseling and consultations regarding personal concerns, self-help information, and connections to off-campus mental health resources. (202-885-3500, MGC 214).
Dean of Students Office
The Dean of Students Office offers individual meetings to discuss issues that impact the student experience, including academic, social, and personal matters; making referrals to appropriate campus resources for resolution. Additionally, while academic regulations state that medical absences are to be excused, if faculty require documentation to verify the student’s explanation, such documentation should be submitted to the Dean of Students. The office will then receive the documentation and verify the medical excuse. Faculty have the discretion to approve absences and do not need permission from the Dean of Students to excuse absences. Students should be sent to the Dean of Students only if faculty require further proof or if they have concerns about the impact of absences on the student’s ability to succeed (202-885-3300, Butler Pavilion 408).
Food and Housing Insecurity Statement
Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing and believes this may affect their performance in the course is urged to contact the Dean of Students (dos@american.edu) for support. Furthermore, please notify the professor if you are comfortable in doing so. This will enable them to provide any resources that they may possess.
Office of Advocacy Services for Interpersonal and Sexual Violence
OASIS provides free and confidential advocacy services for students who have experienced sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, sexual harassment, and/or stalking. Please email or call to schedule an appointment with a victim advocate in OASIS. (oasis@american.edu, 202-885-7070, Health Promotion and Advocacy Center – Hughes Hall 105). Students can also book an appointment with one of our two confidential victim advocates.
Respect for Diversity
As stated in the American University Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Policy:
“American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy or parenting, age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under applicable federal and local laws and regulations (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities. The University expressly prohibits any form of discriminatory harassment including sexual harassment, dating and domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation and stalking.”
The above website includes further details, including how to report instances of discrimination and your responsibilities as a member of the campus community in relation to the policy; you are strongly encouraged to familiarize yourself further with this policy.
Class rosters and University data systems are provided to faculty with the student’s legal name and legal gender marker. As a student, you are able to change how your preferred/proper name shows up through email, Blackboard, and on your AU ID Card. This option is helpful for various student populations, including but not limited to: students who abbreviate their first name; students who use their middle name; international students; and transgender students. As a faculty member, I am committed to using your proper name and pronouns. We will take time during our first class together to do introductions, at which point you can share with all members of our learning community what name and pronouns you use, as you are comfortable. Additionally, if these change at any point during the semester, please let me know and we can develop a plan to share this information with others in a way that is safe for you. Should you want to update your preferred/proper name, you can do so by looking at the guidelines and frequently asked questions from the Center for Diversity and Inclusion.
Students with Disabilities
If you wish to receive accommodations for a disability, please notify me with a letter from the Academic Support and Access Center. As accommodations are not retroactive, timely notification at the beginning of the semester, if possible, is strongly recommended. To register with a disability or for questions about disability accommodations, contact the Academic Support and Access Center at 202-885-3360 or asac@american.edu, or drop by MGC 243. For more information, visit AU’s Disability Accommodations web page.
Instructional Technologies
Blackboard Learning Management System: You will use your AU credentials to log in to Blackboard. AU’s Blackboard Support team recommends using Chrome or Firefox to optimize your experience and avoid incompatibility issues that can occur when accessing Blackboard with other browsers. Do not use Internet Explorer.
N.b. Abuse of any technology or technology services may raise Academic Integrity Code issues.
University-Wide Policies
Academic Integrity
Standards of academic conduct are set forth in the university’s Academic Integrity Code. By registering for this course, students have acknowledged their awareness of the Academic Integrity Code and they are obliged to become familiar with their rights and responsibilities as defined by the Code. Violations of the Academic Integrity Code will not be treated lightly and disciplinary action will be taken should violations occur. This includes cheating, fabrication, and plagiarism.
Defining and Reporting Discrimination and Harassment (Title IX)
American University expressly prohibits any form of discrimination and discriminatory harassment including sexual harassment, dating and domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. AU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information, or any other bases under federal or local laws in its programs and activities.
As a faculty member, I am required to report discriminatory or harassing conduct to the university if I witness it or become aware of it – regardless of the location of the incident. There are four confidential resource on campus if you wish to speak to someone who is not required to report: Counseling Center, victim advocates in OASIS, medical providers in the Student Health Center, and ordained clergy in the Kay Spiritual Life Center. If you experience any of the above, you have the option of filing a report with University Police (202-885-2527), the Office of the Dean of Students (dos@american.edu or 202-885-3300), or the Title IX Office (202-885-3373 or TitleIX@american.edu). For more information, including a list of supportive resources on and off-campus, contact OASIS (oasis@american.edu or 202-885-7070) or check out the Support Guide on the Title IX webpage.
Emergency Preparedness
In the event of an emergency, American University will implement a plan for meeting the needs of all members of the university community. Should the University be required to close for a period of time, we are committed to ensuring that all aspects of our educational programs will be delivered to our students. These may include altering and extending the duration of the traditional term schedule to complete essential instruction in the traditional format and/or the use of distance instructional methods. Specific strategies will vary from class to class, depending on the format of the course and the timing of the emergency. Faculty will communicate class-specific information to students via AU email and Blackboard, while students must inform their faculty immediately of any emergency-related absence. Students are responsible for checking their AU email regularly and keeping themselves informed of emergencies. In the event of an emergency, students should refer to the AU Student Portal, the AU website, and the AU information line at (202) 885-1100 for general university-wide information, as well as contact their faculty and/or respective dean’s office for course and school/college specific information.
Incomplete Policy
At the discretion of the faculty member and before the end of the semester, the grade of I (Incomplete) may be given to a student who, because of extenuating circumstances, is unable to complete the course during the semester. The grade of Incomplete may be given only if the student is receiving a passing grade for the coursework completed. Students on academic probation may not receive an Incomplete. The instructor must provide in writing to the student the conditions, which are described below, for satisfying the Incomplete and must enter those same conditions when posting the grades for the course. The student is responsible for verifying that the conditions were entered correctly.
Conditions for satisfying the Incomplete must include what work needs to be completed, by when the work must be completed, and what the course grade will be if the student fails to complete that work. At the latest, any outstanding coursework must be completed before the end of the following semester, absent an agreement to the contrary. Instructors will submit the grade of I and the aforementioned conditions to the Office of the University Registrar when submitting all other final grades for the course. If the student does not meet the conditions, the Office of the University Registrar will assign the default grade automatically.
The Associate Dean of the Academic Unit, with the concurrence of the instructor, may grant an extension beyond the agreed deadline, but only in extraordinary circumstances. Incomplete courses may not be retroactively dropped. An Incomplete may not stand as a permanent grade and must be resolved before a degree can be awarded. More information on AU Regulations and Policies.
Student Code of Conduct
The central commitment of American University is the development of thoughtful, responsible human beings in the context of a challenging yet supportive academic community. The Student Code of Conduct is designed to benefit the American University community and to assist in forming the highest standards of ethics and morals among its members. By registering for this course, students have acknowledged their awareness of the Student Code of Conduct and they are obliged to become familiar with their rights and responsibilities as defined by the Code.
Religious Observances
Students will be provided the opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirements that may be missed due to a religious observance, provided they notify their instructors before the end of the second week of classes. Please send this notification through email to the professor. For additional information, see American University’s religious observances policy.
Use of Student Work
The professor will use academic work that you complete for educational purposes in this course during this semester. Your registration and continued enrollment constitute your consent.
University Grade Scale
A 93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 88-89
B 83-87
B- 80-82
C+ 78-79
C 73-77
C- 70-72
D+ 68-69*
D 63-67*
D- 60-62*
F 59 or below
The above is drawn from the AU CTRL syllabus template (downloads a Word file) and the Syllabus Guide for Faculty, Jan 2020
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