Syllabus Template
OAI’s accessible syllabus template for Portland State courses
An effective syllabus is both relevant and accessible for all students. Along with complete information, it needs organization and formatting that works well for all students and with assistive technology.
To help you get started, OAI has an accessible syllabus template with PSU policies and other common elements. We recommend keeping the structure and formatting to maintain accessibility, but add and delete information to make it relevant for your course.
Note: Some colleges or departments have particular syllabi requirements or expectations. Check with your department chair or program lead for any specific requirements.
Access the template
View the template, with annotations explaining each section.
Make your own copy, with no annotations.
How to use the template
This template includes all the components recommended in Create an accessible, student-centered syllabus. It includes specific formatting such as defined heading structures, bulleted lists, and consistent font colors and sizes. These formatting features should be maintained to create an accessible document structure. To use the syllabus template:
- Make a copy of the template.
- Retitle the file for your course
- Begin customizing the details as needed. Maintain the included formatting such as headings, lists, and font styling.
When copying and pasting, paste without formatting to preserve the template’s accessible formatting. If you need to add links, remember to use descriptive links. Learn more about accessible document design in the Accessible teaching resource hub.
PSU policy and resource statements
The syllabus template includes links to the policies for the areas below. You may use these statements from each office to add more detail in your syllabus.
Academic integrity is a vital part of the educational experience at PSU. The Student Code of Conduct is the university’s policy on academic dishonesty. A confirmed violation of that code in this course may result in failure of the course.
Students do not have a right to receive or demand an Incomplete grade. The option of assigning an Incomplete grade is at the discretion of the instructor when these criteria are met:
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- Required satisfactory course completion/participation
- Reasonable justification for the request
- Not sought as a substitute for a poor grade
- Presence of a written agreement (such as the Incomplete Contract)
- A plan in place to resolve Incomplete status
The Office of the Registrar’s website has the full Incomplete Grades policy.
Student support resource statements
The syllabus template includes links to the services/resources below and the How to Find Help at PSU page, which lists even more! You may use these statements from each office to add more detail in your syllabus.
Access and inclusion for students with disabilities
PSU values diversity, equity, and inclusion. My goal is to create a learning environment that is accessible, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming. I am committed to fostering mutual respect and full participation for all students. If any aspects of instruction or course design result in barriers to your inclusion or learning, the Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides accommodations in the learning environment.If you have, or think you may have, a disability that may affect your work in this class and feel you need accommodations, contact the DRC to schedule an appointment and initiate a conversation about reasonable accommodations. The DRC works with students who have physical, learning, cognitive, mental health, sensory, chronic illness, and all other disabilities.
If you already have accommodations: Please contact me to make sure that I have received your Faculty Notification Email, and to discuss your accommodations.
The DRC is located in Smith Memorial Student Union, Suite 116. You can also contact the DRC at 503-725-4150, drc@pdx.edu, or visit the DRC website.
It can be challenging to do your best in class if you have trouble meeting basic needs like safe shelter, sleep, and nutrition. Resource centers across campus are here to provide assistance, referrals, and support. Please contact anyone on this list for assistance:
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- Basic Needs Hub: email to connect with the basic needs hub basicneedshub@pdx.edu.
- Portland State Food Pantry: email to connect with the PSU food pantry pantry@pdx.edu.
- C.A.R.E. Program: email to connect with the CARE Program askdos@pdx.edu, or call (503) 725-4422.
- Student Health & Counseling: email to connect with student health and counseling askshac@pdx.edu, or call (503) 725-2800.
Mental health emergencies
If you are having a mental health emergency and need to speak with someone immediately, come into SHAC at any time during SHAC hours of operation. After hours and weekends call the Multnomah County Crisis Line 503-988-4888.
PSU CARES
Connects students with resources when they are experiencing distress or other concerns that might impact their personal or academic success.
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- Make a referral to PSU CARES
- Call PSU CARES: 503-725-4422
- Email PSU CARES: askdos@pdx.edu
PSU desires to create a safe campus. As part of that mission, PSU requires all students to take the Understanding Sexual Misconduct and Resources learning module. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you can find the appropriate resources on PSU’s Sexual Misconduct Response website.
Students frequently come to me for assistance in matters not related to the course material. Please be aware that PSU’s policies require instructors to report any instance of sexual harassment, sexual and relationship violence and/or other forms of prohibited discrimination to university officials, who will keep the information private. If you would rather share information about these matters with a PSU staff member who does not have these reporting responsibilities and can keep the information confidential, please use these campus resources:
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- Connect with Confidential Advocates: 503-894-7982 or schedule online to talk with a Confidential Advocate (for matters regarding sexual harassment and sexual and relationship violence).
- Center for Student Health and Counseling: 1880 SW 6th Avenue #200; 503-725-2800
Discrimination and Bias Incidents
The Office of Equity and Compliance (OEC) addresses complaints of discrimination, discriminatory Harassment, and sexual harassment against employees (faculty and staff). If you or someone you know believes they have been discriminated against, you may file a complaint. Someone from the OEC will contact you to discuss how to best address your complaint.
The Bias Review Team (BRT) gathers information on bias incidents that happen on and around campus, and gives resources and support to individuals who experience them. You can report a bias incident you experienced or learned about. A member of the BRT will contact you if you indicate you would like to be contacted.
If you would like to obtain religious accommodations, such as flexibility in attending evening courses or an extension on assignments, please contact your instructors. If you need additional assistance, please contact the Office of the Dean of Student Life (DOSL) by emailing askdos@pdx.edu.
Cultural Resource Centers (CRCs) create a student-centered, inclusive environment that enriches the university experience. They honor diversity, explore social justice issues, celebrate cultural traditions, and foster student identities, success, and leadership. They provide opportunities for student leadership, employment, and volunteering; student resources such as computer labs, event, lounge, and study spaces; and extensive programming. All are welcome!
Technology usage statements
Include only those technology policies that are applicable to the technology you use in your course, and customize them to fit your course context.
Below, you will find three general student usage categories for AI tools and an example syllabus statement for each. This is not an exhaustive list, but we hope it will help you begin creating statements of your own. You can also explore other examples in the curated list Generative AI syllabus statements v.3
When possible, we recommend using the phrase “generative AI” or “generative artificial intelligence” in your syllabus rather than calling out a specific tool (e.g. “ChatGPT”). If you choose to include some version of an example below that permits student use of Generative AI tools, also consider adding the Library’s suggested citation formats when using generative AI tools in academic work.
AI use generally allowed in course
Generative AI tools are generally allowed with attribution
In this course, those students who wish to utilize generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, are encouraged to do so. AI tools may be employed to brainstorm assignments or projects or to refine pre-existing work. However, to uphold scholarly standards, students are required to cite any AI-generated material that contributes to their work, including in-text citations, quotations, and references. The generation of content through AI without appropriate attribution constitutes academic misconduct.
Limited AI use allowed in course
Some use of generative AI permitted under specific circumstances of with explicit permission
Throughout this course, we may employ Generative AI tools like ChatGPT. Clear guidelines will be provided regarding when, where, and how these tools may be utilized along with instructions for proper attribution. Any usage outside of these specified permissions constitutes a violation of PSU’s Academic Integrity Guidelines.
No AI use allowed in course
No use of generative AI is permitted
Intellectual integrity forms the bedrock of academic communities and serves as the cornerstone for impartial evaluation of your work. All coursework completed and/or submitted for this course must represent your original work and adhere to the University’s Academic Integrity Guidelines. Unauthorized collaboration or the use of ChatGPT or any other generative AI applications is strictly prohibited.
We will use technology for virtual meetings and recordings in this course. Our use of such technology is governed by FERPA, the Acceptable Use Policy and PSU’s Student Code of Conduct. A record of all meetings and recordings is kept and stored by PSU, in accordance with the Acceptable Use Policy and FERPA. I will not share recordings of your class activities outside of course participants, which include your fellow students, TAs/GAs/Mentors, and any guest faculty or community-based learning partners that we may engage with. You may not share recordings outside this course. Doing so may result in disciplinary action.
Students agree that by taking this course all required papers may be subject to submission review for textual similarity for the purpose of detection of unoriginal writing, including plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting unoriginal writing, including plagiarism of such papers. Use of the Turnitin.com service is subject to the Turnitin Acceptable Use posted on the Turnitin.com website.
We will be using the Zoom AI features for virtual meetings, recordings, and transcriptions in this course. Our use of these tools is governed by FERPA, PSU’s Acceptable Use Policy, and the Student Code of Conduct. Meeting records, recordings, and transcripts will be stored securely by PSU. You may not share recordings or transcripts outside of this course without explicit instructor permission.
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