Dear Fall 2022 instructors:
 
Welcome to the Fall 2022 syllabus letter.
 
Please see the Purdue Syllabus Guidelines webpage for Required information that each syllabus must include and some Recommended components that many instructors choose to add.
--The syllabus guidelines are grounded in our official Academic Regulations, which can be found in the university catalog and should be reviewed prior to each semester.
--Sections in the Academic Regulations on Classes (including attendance), Grades, and Scheduling of Examinations are particularly relevant to instructors and course design.
 
Important Updates to Academic Regulations
--In April 2022 the University Senate updated the regulations on final examinations to designate the week prior to final exam week as a Quiet Period. Below are highlights, but please read the entire regulation carefully.
“…courses that conduct or collect an assessment during the final exam period shall refrain from assigning or collecting assessments” (during the quiet period). Here, ‘assessments’ are defined as activities relating to the course’s learning objectives that students turn in for class credit that the course instructor intends to use to judge whether students have met the associated learning objectives…Courses that do not offer an assessment...during the final examination period are exempt” from the restrictions on Quiet Period.” 
--In February 2022 the University Senate added the Medically Excused Absence Policy (MEAPS) to the university regulations on class attendance. MEAPS joins Grief/Bereavement, Military Service, Jury Duty and Parenting Leave as specific situations with university-defined procedures and instructor/student expectations.
“A student can contact the Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) to request that a notice of the leave be sent to instructors when a situation involving hospitalization, emergency department or urgent care visits emerges. The student can then provide documentation of hospitalization, emergency department or urgent care as proof of legitimate absence to the ODOS as soon as these documents are available.”
Please keep in mind that this policy is intended for emergent/urgent care only. Emergent medical issues are those that pose a threat to loss of life or limb. Examples include serious burns, seizures, severe cuts requiring stitches, broken/dislocated limbs or joints, head injuries, bleeding that can’t be stopped, or changes in mental state such as confusion. Urgent medical issues are less severe than emergent but cannot wait to be evaluated; this includes repeated vomiting and/or persistent diarrhea, small cuts that may require stitches, dehydration, etc. Excuses will not be provided for primary care medical appointments such as overall wellness and general behavioral health care, occasional vomiting and/or diarrhea, cold and flu symptoms, mild fevers, mild to moderate discomfort, sore throat, etc.  Absence due to COVID-19 quarantine or isolation will continue to be handled separately from MEAPS, and as it has been since Fall 2020 via COVID absence notifications. Be reassured that you, as an instructor, will not need to make this final determination. Please refer students to the Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS).
--In keeping with the Mid Semester Academic Progress regulation (updated in Fall 2021 by the University Senate), Tues., Oct. 25, is the last day that students can withdraw from a course, so the first deadline this semester to provide graded feedback. Students gain tremendous benefit from receiving early and frequent feedback regarding their academic performance.
 
Useful websites to bookmark
--The Innovative Learning website continues to be the hub for resources to support your teaching. The site combines the expertise and support of IMPACT, the Center for Instructional Excellence, Libraries and School of Information Studies, Purdue Online, and Purdue Envision Center. The Innovative Learning team is available to answer questions by emailing innovativelearningteam@purdue.edu.
--The IL website also includes several documents specific to the semester that can be found on the Teaching and Learning section (we recommend bookmarking it). 

Protect Purdue
--The Protect Purdue website continues to be updated as guidance and protocols evolve. An overview of Fall 2022: What you need to know was published July 27.
--Absence notifications will continue to be issued for students who must isolate or quarantine due to COVID according to medical protocols. Please continue to work with students in this situation to support their academic continuity and success during their absence. Avoid penalizing students for following public health policies.
--The Classroom, Instructional Lab, and Experiential Course Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been updated and streamlined for Fall 2022.  Please review and apply for an exception prior to the start of the semester if your course plans fall outside the overarching SOP.
 
Teaching resources
--Consider requesting a Technology Advocate if you are new to teaching at Purdue or need a refresher on Brightspace. Technology Advocates can assist instructors with their Brightspace course(s) and streaming and lecture capture tools (e.g., BoilerCast). They can also help instructors navigate and learn various instructional technologies supported by Purdue and answer student questions about technology throughout the semester.
--Check out the new Tips for Enhancing Student Engagement, a two-page document with research-based, practical ideas to help boost student engagement in and outside of class. One side offers strategies for instructors and is featured on a companion Innovative Learning webpage. The other side speaks to students and is featured on a companion Academic Success Center webpage. Printed copies of these “Tips” are being distributed to students and instructors mid-August and are available for download at either webpage.
--The College Teaching Development Program offers two types of certificates each semester. Check out the IL website for details and registration.
 
Brightspace tips & suggestions
The #1 ask from students is for instructors to post their syllabi, put dates on all assignments and events, and use Brightspace to organize these dates into calendars. These steps, along with an introduction to how your class is organized and works in Brightspace, and when/how they can communicate with you might be the most important things you can do for student success. There are many resources to assist in designing an effective Brightspace:
-- The Purdue Brightspace resources website includes a section on Workshops and Training, and Documentation with guides for both Instructors and Students, on topics ranging from creating assignments to grading assignments to course administration.
-- Before the first day of your class, please open your course in Brightspace and send an initial communication to students pointing them to the course syllabus.
 -- The Teaching and Learning Technologies calendar is regularly updated with workshops and drop-in sessions to assist with Brightspace and other instructional technologies.
When complete, please upload your syllabi to Course Insights, which may be found under the Faculty tab of myPurdue. This feature makes it easy for faculty to make their syllabi available to the University community, including students.
 
Essential Tasks
--Go to the Faculty tab at MyPurdue for important information on your courses and your students, including your course roster and “preferred name” list.
--While in MyPurdue be sure that your FERPA certification is up to date.
--Make your course is active in Brightspace before the beginning of the semester. You can find a guide called “How do I activate/make my course visible to students in Brightspace?” in the course administration area of the Purdue Brightspace website. You must make your course active for students to be able to access the course.
--Set a reminder to complete your federally mandated Initial Course Participation (ICP) reporting by Week 3 of the semester. See the Registrar’s website for detailed instructions.
--If your course involves an industry-sponsored class project, procedures have been developed for handling the agreements, payments, and intellectual property rights. Please review the specifics at the Sponsored Student Class Projects and Capstone Projects webpage.
--If you are not sure where to refer students for personal, academic, or financial assistance, send them to the ODOS Student Support Services website for details, contact information and hours.
 
--Classes begin Mon., Aug. 22
--No classes Labor Day, Mon., Sept. 5
--October Break, Mon. & Tues., Oct. 10-11
--Mid Semester Academic Progress due to students, Tues., Oct. 25
--Thanksgiving Vacation, Wed.-Sat., Nov. 23-26
--Quiet Period, Mon.-Sat., Dec 5-10
--Classes end Sat., Dec 10
--Final Exams, Mon.-Sat., Dec 12-17
--Grades due by 5 p.m. Tues., Dec. 20
 
We will continue to email regular updates and responses to your questions and suggestions. Please watch your Purdue email for the subject heading: Teaching and Learning.
Best wishes to you and your students,
 
Prof. Jenna L. Rickus
Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning
Prof. of Agricultural & Biological Engineering and Prof. of Biomedical Engineering
Purdue University
610 Purdue Mall | 100 Hovde | West Lafayette, IN 47907-2040
765-494-0615
 
Prof. Heather L. Servaty-Seib
Associate Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning
Prof. of Counseling Psychology
Purdue University
610 Purdue Mall | 100 Hovde | West Lafayette, IN 47907-2040
765-494-0615