Department Responsibility for Maintaining Course Syllabi

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Policy Number:
UW-1086
Responsible Office:
Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

The U.S. Department of Education, the Higher Learning Commission, and UW-Madison recognize a course syllabus is required for each course offering.

Definitions:
Academic Unit
The academic and administrative home for an academic program or subject listing, also known as an academic department, housed within an academic division (school/college). The academic unit originates all program and curricular changes through academic governance; ensures the curriculum is appropriate and that courses are offered regularly; provides student support services such as advising; prepares all content for the Guide and assures the program and subject listing is represented accurately at all times; oversees the course evaluation process; coordinates assessment and program review; and receives allocation for program enrollment, degrees, certificates and credits in the information systems.
Scope:

All academic units that offer courses.

Policy:

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), UW-Madison’s accrediting body, dictates the following:

  • Instructors are expected to communicate course requirements to students in writing and in a timely manner, HLC Assumed Practices C.5.
  • The institution presents itself clearly and completely to students and the public, HLC Criterion 2.B.
  • Institutions are to comply with the U.S. Department of Education’s requirements related to the definition of a credit hour, 34 C.F.R. § 600.2.

To meet these requirements, and to support the learning experience of students, instructors of record are required to develop a course syllabus for each course offering and to communicate the syllabus to students.

Students frequently seek copies of syllabi for past courses, for example to support application to graduate or professional programs, in the context of an employment search, or in relation to seeking transfer credit equivalency at another institution. For this reason, and in support of UW-Madison Faculty Policies and Procedures Chapter 5.31 D, departments must retain syllabus records of courses taught in their department. It is expected that syllabi from all course sections will be retained for a period of no less than 10 years. Departments may contact University Archives regarding the disposition of syllabi that are more than 10 years old.

Related UW-Madison Policies:
External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Policy Manager:
Vice Provost for Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research
Contact:
Associate Director, Data, Academic Planning & Institutional Research -- Michelle Young, MEYOUNG@WISC.EDU, (608) 262-2143
Revised Dates:

10-10-2022, 02-27-2023

Retrieved:
01-13-2025 15:53:03