In Praise of the Comprehensive Syllabus
In this Issue:
- University policy update
- Preparing for move-in email
- An amazing academic tool: the Comprehensive Syllabus
Edited to add: Late today we received a WakeAlert about a severe thunderstorm. If you have not downloaded the WakeSafe app and opted in to campus safety alerts, you may wish to do so before the fall semester begins.
It’s the end of the week and I hope you all have a great weekend ahead of you! Today I have a couple of administrative items to share, then I hope you will read through to the section on the Comprehensive Syllabus, which is an incredibly useful tool for students.
University policy update
There was a broadcast email to campus yesterday with a University policy update. It began as follows:
“On May 21, the University issued interim guidance regarding campus demonstrations and chalking and committed to issuing a permanent policy by August 1.
The Policy on Demonstrations, Chalking, and Posting was developed collaboratively with representatives of the Faculty Senate, the Staff Advisory Council, the Student Government, and academic and administrative leadership. It provides a content-neutral framework; expands locations where demonstrations and chalking are permissible; affirms the right of students, faculty, and staff to engage in acts of free expression; and includes time, place and manner provisions to safeguard the ability to demonstrate while upholding the University’s obligation to foster an environment free of harassment and discrimination for its members.”
Preparing for move-in email
The Office of Residence Life and Housing sent this corrected email to resident students this morning with details about move-in.
An amazing academic tool: the Comprehensive Syllabus
While FDOC (First Day of Classes) is not until August 26, I want to share a resource that was crucial to my ’27’s success in his first year of college at NC State. This tool is the Comprehensive Syllabus, one of CLASS (Center for Learning, Access, and Student Success)’s recommended strategies.
Your students (of all class years!) can build one online spreadsheet showing all assignments, papers, tests, etc. for each of their classes, and have an ‘at a glance’ look at what work they will have to do each week of the semester. It takes a little time to set up a comprehensive syllabus and log all the assignments for all classes, but it is soooo worth it. My ’27 said this was a gamechanger for time management. 10/10 recommend!
Your students can watch the Comprehensive Syllabus video on Kaltura (our video site) with their WFU login. Students can also see other study strategies on the CLASS website.
We’re a little less than 2 weeks out before our first Pre-Orientation students move to campus. It’s starting to feel real now!!