Updates to Syllabus Policy Effective Fall 2026
Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to ensure you know about updates to the university Syllabus Policy that have been vetted by the university community and approved for fall 2026. These changes are intended to ensure consistency, federal compliance, and to aid student success. The Simple Syllabus publisher tool has been modified to incorporate these new elements. Department and program leaders are responsible for working with instructors to ensure all required syllabi are submitted and meet policy guidelines.
New Required Elements
- Provide a statement in all syllabi concerning the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) expectations in courses. Please note, this does not require a particular position on the use of AI in the class. Rather, it requires the instructor to inform students of their position.
- Provide a statement in all KULC Core 34 course syllabi indicating course work may be used in university assessment activities.
- Here is a recommended statement for KULC Core 34 assessment: Student responses to signature assignments may be used during the University Assessment Council’s assessment of the KU Core 34 general education curriculum. Names and student ID numbers will be removed prior to review by the University Assessment Council.
- Please note that if instructors use the Simple Syllabus publisher tool, this statement will be pre-populated.
New Recommended Elements
- If applicable, include honor code and/or the unit’s academic misconduct procedures.
- For distance education courses (online or hybrid online), provide a syllabus statement explaining how the course meets Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI).
- Include a link to the Pregnant and Parenting Resources webpage.
Implementation Resources
- Please visit the Center for Teaching Excellence resource, Building AI Policies into Your Syllabus, for example statements regarding AI use in your classroom.
- The Center for Online and Distance Learning provides guidance on incorporating Regular and Substantive Interaction in distance education.
- A complete list of required and recommended syllabus elements is available in the policy. In addition, the Syllabus Resources webpage has been updated to include the Pregnant and Parenting Resources link.
- For assistance using Simple Syllabus, including the publisher tool, please contact KU IT Educational Technology, itedtech@ku.edu.
These resources are listed in an updated Standard Language & Resource Guide available to download as a complement to the Syllabus Policy in the Policy Library.
Instructors who have already published a fall 2026 syllabus using the Simple Syllabus publisher tool will need to use the "Edit" mode to access components that need updating and submit/publish again. In keeping with the policy, all syllabi need to be uploaded to Simple Syllabus by the 10th day of classes, which is Sept. 8.
If you have questions, please contact Accreditation Manager Alyssa Maglone, alyssa.maglone@ku.edu, in Academic Affairs.
Thank you for all you do for our students.
Sincerely,
Ric
Ric Steele, Ph.D., ABPP
Interim Vice Provost
Academic Affairs