The syllabus I distributed to students in spring term, 2017, said the following about plagiarism:

The Knox College community expects its members to demonstrate a high degree of ethical integrity in all their actions, including their academic work. Examples of academic dishonesty include plagiarism, giving or receiving unauthorized help, voluntarily assisting another student in cheating, and dishonestly obtaining an extension. If you have any questions about this, or if you are panicking about your ability to meet deadlines, please come and talk with me.

Please re-acquaint yourself with the Knox College Honor Code at https://www.knox.edu/Documents/PDFs/Academics/Honor-System.pdf

The syllabus I’ll be distributing this fall, on the other hand, now says this:

We commit ourselves to act with academic integrity this term – to be ethical in what we say and write, and to offer credit to others for thinking of ideas before us. I believe that everyone in my course is fundamentally honest, and I will help you learn the conventions of academic integrity, such as citing sources correctly and being clear about where our own words begin and end.

If you’d like to read more about the college’s Honor Code – which was written by students just like you, and which students co-govern with faculty – you can find a copy at this link: https://www.knox.edu/Documents/PDFs/Academics/Honor-System.pdf

Welcome

[Here’s an example of a welcome with warm language. Make this your own. Let your students know you will support them, are available for them and that their success is your goal. Again, this should be relevant to you and your class.]

Welcome to ACCT 010 Financial Accounting at West Valley College! I’m glad to have you as part of this class and believe you will find it to be an important subject and one where I am present to support your learning and curiosity in the subject of all things accounting!

You belong

In this classroom, every student belongs. I recognize that institutions of higher learning, and UVA in particular, have historically excluded or marginalized certain groups based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, socio-economic status, disability, nationality, religion, age, and other diverse identities. I vehemently reject these practices and biases, past and present. Each of you brings with you a unique perspective, shaped by your experiences, identities, and backgrounds. These differences enrich our community and our learning experience, and I embrace and celebrate this diversity. Whether you've always felt at home in academia or have battled to claim your place, know that here, you belong. This classroom is a space where your voice is welcome, where your perspectives matter, and where we will strive, collectively, to uplift every member of our classroom community. I also hope that together we can work to disrupt these inequitable systems and structures in our classroom through dialogue, reflection, and action.

I also seek to create a classroom where all students can access and engage with the course material and with each other. I encourage students with disabilities, including non visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to talk with me early and often about any additional accommodations that would support your learning. The Student Disability Access Center is available to facilitate the removal of barriers with reasonable accommodations: http://www.virginia.edu/studenthealth/sdac/sdac.html

Once approved, it is your responsibility to follow up with us about implementation of accommodations.

Mental Health and Well-Being Resources

The past few years have been extremely challenging in different ways for most individuals. We have navigated the ongoing challenges and grief of a global pandemic, war, increasing racism, homophobia and transphobia, financial struggle, climate crises, major governmental changes, and rising gun violence. Of course, it is expected that these ongoing events will affect you and your loved ones directly or indirectly. If these events make it difficult for you to participate in this course, I encourage you to come talk with me and I will support you as best as I can. UVA Student Health also offers free, time-limited therapy to its students via Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS). Additionally, all students who pay the comprehensive health fee have access to virtual mental health services via the TimelyCare app. TimelyCare includes a 24/7, on-demand service called TalkNow. You can also call Helpline UVA by dialing 434-924-TALK; this is a free and confidential hotline serving Albemarle County and UVA students, and the anonymous volunteers can be helpful in directing you to long-term services if needed.

How will we create a supportive and equitable learning environment?

I believe we should make it our goal to support and include each person in the room so we each have an equal opportuntiy to achieve our learning objectives. I invite you to consider the following guidelines for discussion in class and in our team-based activities during the course.

1. Recognize how our individual mix of identities inform our perspectives, assumptions, and actions.
2. Allow everyone's voice to be included and heard.
3. Be open to changing our perspectives based on what we learn from others.
4. Create a space that welcomes feedback. Critique ideas, not individuals.
5. Engage mindfully and be aware of how our words and actions may impact others.