Dear UHD Instructors:
I hope you all had a good summer break and that you are all looking forward to the forthcoming Fall semester. We realize that there have been some important changes affecting the semester startup, including the implementation of GTAP and the soft launch of Simple Syllabus. Thank you for taking the time to adapt to these new protocols/systems. We are especially appreciative that almost everyone has put forth their book orders to Follett, including the identification of OER sections. In past semesters, fewer than 100 sections were easily identifiable as OER/no cost in the schedule. This semester, we have over 600 sections identified as “OER/no cost.” These data (which Follett has shared with UHD) has enhanced the transparency in textbook costs, which is critical to student decision making, as to whether they “opt out” or remain “opted-in” to the GTAP program. I want to thank the Registrar’s team for inserting the raw data into the schedule, making zero-cost and low-cost sections easily searchable. It has been a busy summer for them and for other data- focused areas, including IT and the TTLC. We thank them all for their continued hard work in enhancing our systems integrations.
Below are some start-up reminders. Information regarding the roster certification process will be distributed in a separate email.
Best regards,
David Ryden
University Spring Calendar, Dates, and Times
All dates concerning the Regular Fall Session and the part-of-term sessions are posted. Please consult for holidays, withdrawal dates, etc. August 18 is the first day of classes and the last day of classes for the Regular Fall Session is November 25. The finals period, December 2-8, must be used in synchronous courses to align our contact time with both policy and state requirements.
Please note that the Final Exam Schedule for the Regular Fall Session is now posted.
With regards to the student class surveys, the IDEA system will send automatic messages throughout the term, but I have also included below a table summarizing key dates:
Canvas: Auto Opening of Course Shells
All course shells will open automatically between midnight and 8 AM on August 18; you are welcomed (and encouraged) to open/publish them sooner than that date.
Regardless of modality, you will need to edit basic content in the default Canvas course shell homepage (course name, syllabus, your contact information, etc.). Please complete this information before the auto- opening of the shells.
Canvas: Required Syllabus
- Syllabi, in both Face-to-Face as well as online courses, must be posted inside Canvas. We invite you to use the new Simple Syllabus option, which will prepopulate a great deal of the required information, demanded by both HB 2504 and by UHD’s 03A29. Note that publishing a syllabus in the Canvas-integrated Simple Syllabus platform will make the syllabus viewable both inside Canvas and to the general public, on UHD’s searchable Simple Syllabus website. To learn more about the Simple Syllabus “soft launch,” for Fall 2025, point your browser to this FAQs landing page, which contains informational hyperlinks, a brief video overview, and a link to the public facing UHD Simple Syllabus website.
- If you are not using Simple Syllabus, please reference in your syllabi the latest UHD Common Syllabus Language Policies, housed on the Academic Affairs website.
- Kindly check all links you have made to UHD pages: there have been recent updates to the website architecture, so many URLs have been changed in the past year.
- Be sure to consult syllabus resource page for further additional tips on syllabus content and HB 2504 Syllabus requirements. Again, using the Canvas-integrated Simple Syllabus will (1) prepopulate and prompt you for the required syllabi information and (2) simultaneously publish the syllabus in Canvas as well as to the general public, on the UHD Simple Syllabus webpage. If you use Simple Syllabus, you will not be required to also publicly post the syllabi using the old e-Syllabi system.
- Last, please make sure that the course descriptions in the syllabi are identical to what is printed in the catalog. If you are using Simple Syllabus, the Catalog Description, Course Number, Title, Semester Credit Hours, etc. will prepopulate.
Canvas: Accessibility and Ally Scores
We have seen continued improvement in the aggregate Canvas accessibility scores across the colleges: please continue to be mindful of your individual section’s Ally Score and note that accessibility is typically maximized by using the rich text editing tool (as opposed to downloadable files). The HTML-like interface has improved accessibility for all students and makes the content easy to navigate.
Canvas: Student Resources
- We have extensive student resources on most topics,including how to use discussion thread, how make and post a Panopto video, how to use VoiceThread, and how to use Respondus Lockdown browser.
- On the Blue Navigation Bar on the left inside Canvas, there is a button that lists all the Canvas Help Resources, including our 24/7 hotline: +1 (833) 531-9763.
Canvas: Faculty Resources
The TTLC and CTLE have put together helpful online resources regarding Canvas:
- TTLC: The Faculty Resource page.
- CTLE: Canvas Design Best Practices and check out the UHD templates in the Canvas Commons (inside Canvas).
- Note the Canvas 24/7 hotline for faculty as well via the help button in the navigation bar: +1 (833) 531-9763.
HB2504 and 03A29: Requirements for Public Posting of Syllabi and CV
Your CV must be publicly posted syllabi via UHD’s Self Service portal.
- myUHD>Faculty and Staff> UHD Self Service>Faculty Center>Upload CV
If you decide not to participate in the Simple Syllabus Soft Launch in the Fall, you must use the Self-Service portal to publicly post all your syllabi.
- myUHD>Faculty and Staff> UHD Self Service>Faculty Center>Syllabus Upload Link
- For more detailed information on posting your CV and Syllabi, visit eCV Instructions and eSyllabus Instructions.
Sample AI Generative Statements for Syllabi
Please be sure to clearly describe your position on AI Generative tools in classwork. We provide three possible options (which also appear in the marginal notes, in the edit view of the Canvas-integrated Simple Syllabus):
For instructors who choose to permit AI Generative Software:
Artificial intelligence (AI) language models, like ChatGPT, can be utilized for any assignment with proper citation. It is your responsibility to verify the accuracy of statements generated by AI software.
For instructors who choose to allow limited use of AI Generative Software
AI Generative Software, like ChatGPT, can be a helpful learning tool when used selectively and thoughtfully. ChatGPT or other AI software may be used for certain assignments as the instructor defines. If you are unsure about appropriate use, please ask me. You are responsible for fact- checking AI-generated statements.
For instructors who choose to prohibit the use of AI Generative Software
In this course, the use of AI Generative Software, like ChatGPT, is prohibited due to its potential impact on education quality and skill development. All submitted work must be your own and comply with the university’s Academic Honesty Policy. Unauthorized collaboration or use of AI software is not allowed.
