Content Comparison

Getting Help with Technology

This support will vary by department, unit, and course modality, making it confusing for students. A statement such as the following, tailored to your context, would help students who encounter difficulties: “Students needing help with technology in this course should contact the ITS Service Desk or <your local support unit(s)>.”

Classroom Expectations

• • • Class attendance – Your expectations for attendance, with the rationale and the consequences for not attending if there are any. (Note that attendance that is included in grading is a required disclosure, above.)

    • Class participation – Your expectations for participation, with the rationale and how they can succeed. (Note that participation that is included in grading is a required disclosure, above.)

    • Behavior expectations – Guidelines and ground rules for appropriate behavior.  You can reference a class-specific code of conduct (some instructors ask students to write this during the first week of class) or, more formally and officially, Section 11-400 of the Institutional Rules in the GIC .
    • Professional standards – The professional standards that may apply to the subject being studied in your course.

Content Warning
To let students know that a course contains materials or subjects that are potentially inflammatory or disturbing, an instructor may wish to include wording similar to the following:

“Our classroom provides an open space for the critical and civil exchange of ideas. Some readings and other content in this course will include topics that some students may find offensive and/or traumatizing. I’ll aim to forewarn students about potentially disturbing content and I ask all students to help to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and sensitivity.” Source found here 

Further helpful discussion of content warnings can be found at this page.

University Resources for Students

• Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). This is a required inclusion, above. It is repeated here to contribute to completeness of this list.
• Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC). 

For example:

“All of us benefit from support during times of struggle. Know you are not alone. If you or anyone you know is experiencing symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, academic concerns, loneliness, difficulty sleeping, or any other concern impacting your wellbeing – you are strongly encouraged to connect with CMHC. The Counseling and Mental Health Center provides a wide variety of mental health services to all UT students including crisis services, counseling services with immediate support and well-being resources. Additionally, CARE Counselors are located within the academic schools and colleges. These counselors get to know the concerns that are unique to their college’s students. For more information on CMHC, visit cmhc.utexas.edu or call 512-471-3515.”

• University Health Services (UHS).

For example:

“Your physical health and wellness are a priority. University Health Services is an on-campus high-quality medical facility providing care to all UT students. Services offered by UHS include general medicine, urgent care, a 24/7 nurse advice line, women’s health, sports medicine, physical therapy, lab and radiology services, COVID-19 testing and vaccinations and much more. For additional information, visit healthyhorns.utexas.edu or call 512-471-4955.”

• Sanger Learning Center.  

For example:

“Did you know that more than one-third of UT undergraduate students use the Sanger Learning Center each year to improve their academic performance? All students are welcome to take advantage of Sanger Center’s classes and workshops, private learning specialist appointments, peer academic coaching, and tutoring for more than 70 courses in 15 different subject areas. For more information, please visit Sanger Learning Center or call 512-471-3614 (JES A332).”

• Student Emergency Services (SES). 

For example:

“Student Emergency Services in the Office of the Dean of Students helps students and their families during difficult or emergency situations. Assistance includes outreach, advocacy, intervention, support, and referrals to relevant campus and community resources. If you need to be absent from class due to a family emergency, medical or mental health concern, or academic difficulty due to crisis or an emergency situation, you can work with Student Emergency Services. SES will document your situation and notify your professors.”

Religious Holy Days – Whether or not it is included in the syllabus, the statement below is university policy as presented in the General Information Catalog. Some faculty members find it helpful to be more explicit about the temporal elements of the policy by specifying a minimum period for advance notice and for completion of the assignment. Whether or not notification is provided in the syllabus, the accommodation must be made, and it must be “reasonable.”

Carrying of Handguns on Campus – Texas’ Open Carry law expressly prohibits a licensed to carry (LTC) holder from carrying a handgun openly on the campus of an institution of higher education such as UT Austin. Information about Campus Carry can be found at this link.

Depending on the instructor’s preferences, the following verbiage about Campus Carry could be used in their syllabus:

“Students in this class should be aware of the following university policies:

• Individuals who hold a license to carry are eligible to carry a concealed handgun on campus, including in most outdoor areas, buildings and spaces that are accessible to the public, and in classrooms.
• It is the responsibility of concealed-carry license holders to carry their handguns on or about their person at all times while on campus. Open carry is NOT permitted, meaning that a license holder may not carry a partially or wholly visible handgun on campus premises or on any university driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.
• Students in this class who hold a license to carry are asked to review the university policy regarding campus carry.
• Depending on the instructor’s choice, they might also include:
• Per my right, I prohibit carrying of handguns in my personal office. Note that this information will also be conveyed to all students verbally during the first week of class. This written notice is intended to reinforce the verbal notification, and is not a “legally effective” means of notification in its own right.

Campus Safety

Behavior Concerns and COVID-19 Advice Line, 512-232-5050