Fall 2013
Committee:
Governance and Internal Policy Committee
Whereas, the syllabus for a course is essentially held to the same standard as a legal contract with a professor, and will typically be referenced if a student appeals a grade;
Whereas, most students register for classes without ever seeing the syllabus for the course, and without a reasonable understanding of its expectations;
Whereas, students are usually only made aware of the contents of a course syllabus after they’ve already attended the class, at which point, it would be either difficult or impossible to enroll in an alternative course;
Whereas, publishing a syllabus online would be easily accomplished, would provide students of diverse learning preferences with more information to guide difficult enrollment decisions, and would potentially improve success rates;
Resolved, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges pursue and support regulation change(s) and/or legislation to the effect of increasing, if not mandating, syllabus availability prior to registration dates for a session;
Resolved, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges maintain updated information on California Community College syllabus transparency; and
Resolved, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges work together with other stakeholders in order to identify ways of increasing readily available information for prospective students to empower them to become more informed decision makers.
Whereas, most students register for classes without ever seeing the syllabus for the course, and without a reasonable understanding of its expectations;
Whereas, students are usually only made aware of the contents of a course syllabus after they’ve already attended the class, at which point, it would be either difficult or impossible to enroll in an alternative course;
Whereas, publishing a syllabus online would be easily accomplished, would provide students of diverse learning preferences with more information to guide difficult enrollment decisions, and would potentially improve success rates;
Resolved, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges pursue and support regulation change(s) and/or legislation to the effect of increasing, if not mandating, syllabus availability prior to registration dates for a session;
Resolved, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges maintain updated information on California Community College syllabus transparency; and
Resolved, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges work together with other stakeholders in order to identify ways of increasing readily available information for prospective students to empower them to become more informed decision makers.