Sample Statements

Suggested Statements for University Guidelines and Policies

Title IX/Clery Syllabi Statement

The following statement should be added to all course syllabi.

• Title IX/Clery Statement (updated June 9, 2015)

  Title IX/Clery Act Notification

  Sexual misconduct (including sexual harassment, sexual assault, and any other nonconsensual behavior of a sexual nature) and sex discrimination violate University policies. Students experiencing such behavior may obtain confidential support from the PEACC Program (852-2663), Counseling Center (852-6585), and Campus Health Services (852-6479). To report sexual misconduct or sex discrimination, contact the Dean of Students (852-5787) or University of Louisville Police (852-6111).

  Disclosure to University faculty or instructors of sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence, or sex discrimination occurring on campus, in a University-sponsored program, or involving a campus visitor or University student or employee (whether current or former) is not confidential under Title IX. Faculty and instructors must forward such reports, including names and circumstances, to the University’s Title IX officer.

  For more information, see the Sexual Misconduct Resource Guide.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

For more information, description and additional resources, visit the Delphi Center's "Teaching and Learning with AI" Sharepoint site. You will need to be logged in with your UofL credentials to view.

• Statements provided by “Use of Generative AI in UofL Academics” Committee

  • Sample Statement 1: The use of Generative AI is not permitted in this course for any assignment.

    While this approach may be the simplest, it is hard to enforce and is not very practical since each essay produced for the same prompt will be different. Banning the use of AI also will not allow students to learn ethical uses of AI.

  • Sample Statement 2: The use of Generative AI may be used with prior instructor permission and appropriate attribution and citation

    This approach attempts to preserve academic integrity while allowing ethical use of AI; it encourages students to learn about AI and the ethical use of such tools; it allows instructors to specify which assignments might be completed with the use of AI, and it encourages faculty to learn appropriate citation of AI. At minimum, faculty should teach students how they are to acknowledge the use of AI, and should reference the citation style guidebooks appropriate to their particular disciplines. These common citation guides--APA, MLA, and Chicago—all agree that Language Learning Models (LLMs) are not authors and therefore cannot be cited as human authors but still need to be acknowledged in the paper. Please consult the resources developed by APA, MLA, the Chicago Manual of Style, or their style manual of choice, for how to reference AI-generated text.

    Additionally, faculty should encourage students to state how they have used AI to complete the assignment, how they have reviewed the document produced by AI, and whether they have paraphrased the language from the AI document or used it verbatim. Some faculty members require students to turn in the AI document(s) with their final assignment, since, unlike traditional sources, a citation will not lead the reader to the exact document used by the student.

  • Sample Statement 3: The use of Generative AI will be allowed without any restrictions

    This approach depends on instructors integrating AI into the learning objectives and the assignments in the course; the instructor will teach how AI is used in the discipline and how to navigate its potential unethical use. An open policy may make assessment of students’ understanding, skills, and critical thinking more difficult, and faculty will still need to provide instruction in how to acknowledge the use of AI in written assignments (see statement 2 notes above).

Academic Dishonesty

For more information, visit the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities (Sections 5. and 6.).

• Statement from the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities

  Academic dishonesty is prohibited at the University of Louisville. It is a serious offense because it diminishes the quality of scholarship, makes accurate evaluation of student progress impossible, and defrauds those in society who must ultimately depend upon the knowledge and integrity of the institution and its students and faculty.

Basic Needs Support

• Statement provided by the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education

  Doing well in classes (and in life, for that matter) means getting a good night’s sleep, having enough to eat, and being able to get to where you need to go. If you are having any difficulties with these basic necessities, remember that UofL has resources to assist you. These challenges are unfortunately more common than we would wish. Please reach out to me or to one of these great resources if you find yourself in need at any time during this course or after.

  • Food (fresh and non-perishable), household and toiletry items: Cardinal Cupboard (SAC W312)
  • Clothing, shoes, household items and office/art supplies: UofL Free Store (SAC 303C)
  • If you’re experiencing any academic, financial, or personal difficulties, a Student Success Coordinator in UofL’s Student Success Center can work with you individually to provide guidance and support as well as connect you to relevant resources.
  • The UofL Concern Center can help you find and connect with relevant resources: https://louisville.concerncenter.com/
  • You can also reach out to the Dean of Students Office at 502.852.5787 or http://louisville.edu/dos

Continuity of Instruction

• Campus Closure Sample Statement

  If the university administration announces a cancelation of classes and closed offices (holidays or severe weather events), instructors may not require virtual interaction from students. Information about any changes in this course (i.e., revised due dates, rescheduled exams, alternative assignments, etc.) will be communicated as soon as possible by . Students should make a habit of checking regularly to stay current on any announcements. Absent other communications, students are encouraged to continue the readings and other assignments as outlined in this syllabus.

• Temporary Absence of an Individual Instructor Sample Statement

  In the event that the instructor needs to be absent from class, you will be contacted prior to class via (email, Blackboard announcements, etc.). The class will either be cancelled or conducted virtually at the regular class meeting time. Students are strongly encouraged to prepare ahead of time any additional materials or hardware, as well as dedicated space for participating in class virtually, that will be necessary to proceed with contingency plans without interruption.

Continuity of Learning

• Planned Student Absence Sample Statement

  Excused absence for university-sanctioned events: Please see qualifying events, guidelines and instructions here: https://louisville.edu/provost/policies/classroom.

  Work restricted religious holidays: A student’s request for adjustments in course work on the grounds of religious observance will be accommodated, provided that the student make such request in writing during the first two (2) weeks of term. Please see guidelines and instructions here: https://louisville.edu/calendars/work-restricted-religious-holy-days-pdf [PDF].

• Unplanned Student Absence Sample Statement

  Students who miss class due to illness, death of a member of the student's household, or significant emergency should contact the instructor as soon as possible. Students missing any graded work due to an excused unplanned absence bear the responsibility of informing the instructor about their excused absence within <3> working days following the period of the excused absence, and of making up the missed work. The Instructor will give the student an opportunity to make up the work and/or the exams missed due to an excused absence within <7> working days of the absence.

Counseling

• Sample Statement for the Counseling Center

  If you notice you are having a difficult time or generally feel stuck, it may be helpful to work with a trained therapist at the Counseling Center in an individual or group setting. People come into the Counseling Center to discuss a range of topics, including relationships, family, identities, grief and loss, depression, stress, and many more experiences and concerns. The Counseling Center provides short term individual, group, and couples counseling, crisis intervention, and psychological testing. Clients seek services for a variety of areas of concern, including psychological, personal/social, academic, and career issues.

  To schedule an appointment, please contact the Counseling Center at 502-852-6585 or stop by the office in the Student Activities Center Room W-204. For more information, visit http://louisville.edu/counseling/.

• Additional Counseling Resources

  Here are additional counseling resources if faculty members would like to add to their syllabi, or provide as they feel fit.

  • 24/7 Adult Crisis Line: 502-589-4313 or 800-221-0446 (available 24/7)
  • The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) (available 24/7)
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (available 24/7)
  • The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 (available 24/7 for individuals ages 13-24 who identify as LGBTQ)

Religious Holy Days and Observances

For more information, view the Calendar and Policy on Religious Holy Days and Observances.

• Statement from the Calendar and Policy on Religious Holy Days and Observance

  Federal law and university policy prohibit discrimination on the basis of religious belief. It is the policy of the University of Louisville to accommodate students, faculty, and staff who observe religious work-restricted holy days.

  Students: Students who observe work-restricted religious holy days must be allowed to do so without jeopardizing their academic standing in any course. Faculty are obliged to accommodate students' request(s) for adjustments in course work on the grounds of religious observance, provided that the student(s) make such request(s) in writing during the first two (2) weeks of term. Deans and department chairs must investigate and resolve student complaints arising from alleged faculty failure to make reasonable accommodations under these guidelines.

Sexual Harassment

If you would like to receive more information or provide training to a classroom, please contact a PEACC representative at 852.2663 and/or you may use the educational modules provided by the PEACC Program.

• Statement provided by PEACC

  The University of Louisville strives to maintain the campus free of all forms of illegal discrimination as a place of work and study for faculty, staff, and students. Sexual harassment is unacceptable and unlawful conduct and will not be tolerated in the workplace and the educational environment. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment, even when carried out through computers or other electronic communications systems.

  Students and Instructors are protected from Sexual Harassment according to the Affirmative Action policy, the Student Code of Conduct, and the UofL Computer Account Usage Agreement.

  Anyone experiencing Sexual Harassment should refer to the links above and/or contact the PEACC Program at 852.2663 and an advocate will explain your choices. This is a free and confidential service.

Statement on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity

• Statement provided by the Office of Institutional Equity

  The University of Louisville strives to foster and sustain an environment of inclusiveness that empowers us all to achieve our highest potential without fear of prejudice or bias.

  We commit ourselves to building an exemplary educational community that offers a nurturing and challenging intellectual climate, a respect for the spectrum of human diversity, and a genuine understanding of the many differences-including race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, disability, religion, national origin or military status-that enrich a vibrant metropolitan research university.

  We expect every member of our academic family to embrace the underlying values of this vision and to demonstrate a strong commitment to attracting, retaining and supporting students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of our larger society.

Students with Disabilities

For more information, visit the Disability Resource Center.

• Statement provided by the Disability Resource Center

  The University of Louisville is committed to providing access to programs and services for qualified students with disabilities. If you are a student with a disability and require accommodation to participate and complete requirements for this class, notify me immediately and contact the Disability Resource Center (Stevenson Hall, 502.852.6938) for verification of eligibility and determination of specific accommodations.