Brandeis Official Academic Policies
Required
Please copy and paste these texts into appropriate places in your syllabus.
1. Academic Honesty (applicable to all schools)
You are expected to be familiar with, and to follow, the University’s policies on academic integrity. You are expected to be honest in all of your academic work. Please consult Brandeis University Rights and Responsibilities for all policies and procedures related to academic integrity. Allegations of alleged academic dishonesty will be forwarded to Student Rights and Community Standards. Sanctions for academic dishonesty can include failing grades and/or suspension from the university. Citation and research assistance can be found on the university library website.
If you have any questions, please contact Alex Rosett (arossett@brandeis.edu), Assistant Dean, Student Rights and Community Standards.
2. Accommodations (applicable to all schools)
The following recommendation comes from the Student Accessibility Support office. They request to include the following statement, in bold type:
Brandeis seeks to create a learning environment that is welcoming and inclusive of all students, and I want to support you in your learning. If you think you may require disability accommodations, you will need to work with Student Accessibility Support (SAS). You can contact them at 781-736-3470, email them at access@brandeis.edu, or visit the Student Accessibility Support home page. You can find helpful student FAQs and other resources on the SAS website, including guidance on how to know whether you might be eligible for support from SAS.
If you already have an accommodation letter from SAS, please provide me with a copy as soon as you can so that I can ensure effective implementation of accommodations for this class. In order to coordinate exam accommodations, ideally you should provide the accommodation letter at least 48 hours before an exam.
3. Expectations for student contributions to coursework
Each course credit carries an expectation that in order to be successful a student needs to engage in approximately 45 hours of combined in-class and out-of-class work and preparation, where “out-of-class work” comprises readings, papers, discussion sections, problem sets, etc. Based on this rule, instructors of 4-credit semester-long courses can expect up to 9 hours of study time per week.
Instructors of such courses should copy and paste the following into their syllabi:
- Success in this four-credit course is based on the expectation that students will contribute at least 9 hours of study time per week in preparation for class.
Topics that are strongly recommended to be addressed in the syllabi
4. Student absences and make-up quizzes and exams (not applicable to course in the Rabb School)The University does not have a single policy regarding attendance, quizzes, and exams. Instructors are strongly encouraged to include their policies regarding attendance, quizzes and exams in their syllabi and to discuss these policies during the first day of class.
For guidance on A&S classes, review the source.
5. Classes canceled due to inclement weather and other unforeseen circumstances (not applicable to course in the Rabb School)Instructors should include in their syllabus their policy for days when campus is closed or when there is a delayed start or an early closing because of inclement weather or other emergencies. If there is a snow day/delayed start/early closing, the instructor may, but is not required to, cancel up to two classes for a full semester course, or one for a module class. An instructor may hold a Zoom class, but if the class is on Zoom, students must be allowed to join the classes asynchronously without penalty.
For more important details, consult the source.
6. Religious observance policyIt is the policy of the university that instructors strive to support students’ observance of their traditions by allowing absence from classes for such purposes; by endeavoring to ensure that examinations, written reports, oral reports or other mandatory class assignments are not scheduled for or due on holy days; and that instructors provide ample opportunities for students to make up work missed on such occasions, without penalty. Should a student need to miss class for religious reasons, the absence should be excused. Classes missed for travel plans are not considered excused absences. Only the dates of the holidays themselves are considered excused absences.
For more important details on this policy, consult the source.
7. Academic guidelines for student-athletes (not applicable to course in the Rabb School or the Heller School)Student athletes who anticipate a need for accommodation should present the instructor, at the beginning of the semester, with a letter from the athletic director verifying their participation in a varsity sport and containing the schedule for the team. Students should not expect accommodation for practices; coaches should accept the responsibility to schedule practices to minimize conflict with classes and accommodate missed practices if necessary for class attendance. The instructor and the student athlete should then work out a plan for compensating for classes or other assignments that will be missed. The goal should be that athletes satisfy approximately the same overall obligations and enjoy approximately the same overall learning opportunities as non-athletes.
For more important details on this policy, consult the source.
8. Statement on respectful environmentYou may copy and paste the following statement to your syllabus:
Brandeis University is committed to providing its students, faculty and staff with an environment conducive to learning and working, where all people are treated with respect and dignity. Please refrain from any behavior toward members of our Brandeis community, including students, faculty, staff, and guests, that intimidates, threatens, harasses, or bullies. Please consult Brandeis University Rights and Responsibilities for all policies and practices related to respectful environment.
9. Statement on financial aid for purchasing course materials (for undergraduate students)You may copy and paste the following statement to your syllabus:
If you have difficulty purchasing course materials, please make an appointment with your Student Financial Services or Academic Services advisor to discuss possible funding options and alternative solutions.
Other policies
1. Use of generative AI toolsFaculty are encouraged to clearly explain course policies and procedures considering the use of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools. See the CTL Guidelines and examples of syllabi language for help or inspiration.
2. Student privacy (if using non-Brandeis online tools)You may copy and paste the following statement to your syllabus:
This class requires the use of tools that may disclose your coursework and identity to parties outside the class. To protect your privacy, you may choose to use a pseudonym or alias rather than your name in submitting such work. You must share the pseudonym or alias with me and any teaching assistants as needed. Alternatively, with prior consultation, you may submit such work directly to me.
Note: If you are an instructor in the Heller School, please check with your Dean’s office on a more detailed policy statement.
3. Class recordings (if applicable)
Faculty members have the option, but not the requirement, of recording class sessions through Zoom or Echo360. For more details, consult the source.
4. Final exams (does not apply to courses in Rabb School; may not apply to all courses in Heller School)
A detailed final examination schedule of all final examinations administered by the Office of the University Registrar is published each semester around the mid-term period.
Final examinations administered by the Office of the University Registrar must be given during the scheduled final examination period and may not be given prior to the scheduled time. Final exams administered by instructors, if covering more than half a semester’s material, may not be scheduled during the final two weeks of instruction.
Students and faculty should confirm the date and time of final examinations, once the detailed schedule is published, prior to making any travel arrangements.