August 17, 2026

Dear Faculty,

Welcome to the fall semester. As you prepare your syllabi, I would like to share the following helpful guidance on information that may be useful to you.

Syllabus Template

Please consider using the Syllabus Template prepared by the Center for Teaching & Assessment of Learning (CTAL) as a guide. The template provides a conceptual framework, includes up-to-date course policies and is designed with accessibility in mind. The template includes guiding questions, as well as sample language for technology resources you might use.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technologies

With the growth of AI tools, consider including a policy statement about the use of AI in course assignments. To help you formulate a policy, CTAL has developed this resource page, which includes five levels of acceptable use, guidance on citation practices and suggestions for crafting assignments using AI tools.

Excused Absences

The Faculty Handbook (specifically Section 3.1.13) covers information about student attendance and excused absences. Please note that excused absences can not count against students’ grades. Also:

• Religious holidays — Absences on religious holidays listed in the Academic Calendar are considered excused. Faculty are encouraged to not schedule examinations or require the submission of special assignments on Rosh Hashanah (from sundown Sept. 11, 2026, until nightfall Sept. 13, 2026), Yom Kippur (from sundown Sept. 20, 2026, and until nightfall Sept. 21, 2026) and Diwali (Nov. 8, 2026).
• Medical absences — Students with short-term illnesses should communicate directly with their professors as soon as possible about their class absence. We ask that all faculty accept communication from students for short-term illnesses in lieu of documentation from a physician or medical office. Students should not be referred to Student Health Services for documentation purposes only. Student Health Services will provide documentation for students who are expected to miss more than 3 days of classes due to a current significant medical condition (examples include concussion, mononucleosis, pneumonia, etc.). COVID-19 and influenza no longer require documentation for class absences.
• Student-athletes — The Student Services for Athletes office is available to assist faculty in the proctoring of any exams, quizzes, etc. in cases of missed class time due to games/travel. Contact Angela Johnson, Director of Student Services for Athletes, at angelajo@udel.edu.

Academic Honesty and Classroom Disruptions

Community Standards & Conflict Resolution (formerly the Office of Student Conduct) offers this one-page guidance on reporting academic dishonesty, as well as other helpful resources for faculty. Contact CSCR at communitystandards@udel.edu or 302-831-2117 for further information.

Faculty Role in Supporting Federal Aid Compliance

Faculty play an important role in the University’s efforts to maintain compliance under Title IV Federal Student Aid regulation 34 CFR 668.22(a). A student earns federal student aid through attendance and the institution must ensure they are actively participating in enrolled courses.

• How to report a no-show — If you have a “no show,” you can report this through Stellic via a Concern and leverage the “Absence” template. Submitting a Stellic Concern will trigger appropriate follow up by the student’s academic advisors and/or assistant deans to ensure enrollment in the course is valid. This two-minute video shows how to submit a Stellic Concern.
• Participation — Participation includes any contact between the instructor and student relevant to the course, including class attendance, participation in a discussion in Canvas, a paper, an examination, or written and verbal conversation between the instructor and student. Participation for these purposes is defined not by the quantity or quality of participation, but by the student's last date of participation. For example, if a student never attends class but takes the final exam, the Level of Participation is “Full.” Please check your rosters and ensure that students who are attending your class are appropriately enrolled in the course. Any student attending a class must be officially enrolled for the class by no later than the end of the free drop/add period. Permission cannot be granted to attend class beyond the free drop/add period unless the student is officially registered for the course.
• Level of Participation and F Grades — The student's level of participation and/or last date of participation is required when assigning a failing grade (F). When a failing grade is entered in UDSIS on the Grade Roster, the instructor will be prompted to enter a "Level of Participation" of either "Full," "Partial," or "None." If "Partial" is entered, the instructor will be prompted to enter the student's last date of participation.

Accessibility

The University of Delaware’s commitment to student success and inclusive excellence has nurtured a campus-wide initiative to ensure each Blue Hen, regardless of their circumstances, can fully benefit from the rich educational opportunities we offer. Explore how you can help make your courses more accessible for all students by visiting the UD Accessibility website. In addition, Disability Support Services has this information sheet on how to help students in finding accommodations.

Student Wellbeing

The Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD) offers short-term, goal-directed individual and group counseling to UD students. The center partners with TimelyCare, which provides 24/7/365 on-demand virtual counseling for students in distress or crisis, as well as scheduled counseling. A faculty consultation line is staffed 24/7 at 833-4TIMELY (833-484-6359).

For more information and resources on developing your syllabus, please visit the Faculty Affairs website.

Have a great fall semester!

Warm regards,

Martha Buell
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs