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APPENDIX B: “Plan for the Unexpected” Syllabus Statements

The following syllabus example statements were developed by the Center for Teaching and Learning at University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Sample Statements: All Courses

Question

Statement

How will our class meet if we are unable to meet in-person?

Sample Statement: If we are unable to meet on campus for class, I will post an announcement on Canvas about how we will be meeting going forward. Zoom will be used for class meetings and class discussion will take place on the Canvas discussion board. I will post regular announcements through Canvas but please do not hesitate to reach out through email with any questions you may have.

How will I meet with my professor?

Sample Statement: I will hold virtual office hours over Zoom during my designated office hours. If these hours no longer work with your schedule please reach out. Emails sent during the week (M-F), will receive a response within 24 hours. Emails received over the weekend or during breaks/holidays will receive a response within 48 hours.

For questions about content or class-related logistics please post on our “FAQ Discussion Board.” Chances are if you have a question someone else in the class has that same question. I will respond to the discussion board daily. I encourage students to read and respond to postings from their classmates as well.

How will instruction be delivered?

Sample statement: In lieu of lecture I will post a mix of videos on Canvas, and social annotation through Hypothes.is covering the content. In order to ensure accountability I will embed quizzes within the videos and require participation. Please see instructions for participation within the reading.

How often do I need to login to Canvas to view our online course?

Sample statement: You are expected to participate in the online activities for as long as we are unable to meet on campus. This may be one day if we experience inclement weather, or several weeks in the event of another wave of the pandemic. It is expected that you visit the course site daily. In our first announcement I will send you a suggested schedule for how you should plan your time online and interact with the content.

Is it possible to receive course announcements as a notification to your phone?

Sample statement: You can set your notifications within Canvas to send you announcements as notification to your phone. See this link for details.

How will I turn in my homework?

Sample statement: Homework and other assignments will be turned in through the assignments tab within Canvas. Instructions for submission can be found within the assignment.

Sample statement: For paper-based assignments or exams, students will individually submit their work into our assignment bin in the classroom.

How will I take my exams?

Sample statement: Exams will be delivered through Canvas. We will co-create an honor code on the discussion board. Exams will now be open book, however it is expected that you do not collaborate with others on exams. Please see the academic integrity section of the syllabus for details about what is considered cheating and the associated consequences.

How will I see my Grades?

Sample statement: You can view your grades through the gradebook on Canvas.

If I am ill or can’t attend class for any other reason, how can I participate in class?

Sample statement: Please contact me if you must be absent or have changing situations so that I can understand how I can best help you through this difficult time. I will post a recording of the lecture, and you may also have the option to participate through Zoom live. Participation can be completed through an asynchronous discussion board about the content. If you need to be absent for an extended period of time, please contact the [insert contact info] team who will support us on the right path forward.

Sample Statement: Discussion-Based Courses

In the event that our course must move fully online for a class meeting or longer, I will notify you of this change via a Canvas announcement. If that happens, we will continue to meet on a regular basis through Zoom. You will also earn participation credit by contributing to asynchronous Canvas discussion boards. I will hold virtual office hours on Zoom during my designated office hours as well. If you cannot meet during that time, please email me to schedule an appointment.

In lieu of lectures, I will post videos on Canvas to help you stay engaged in the course content. Homework and other assignments will be submitted via the “Assignments” tab on Canvas. I will provide feedback and post grades on Canvas as well. If you have trouble submitting assignments or accessing the course materials, please let me know. I will be available to guide you through the transition to a fully online course.

Please be sure to sign up for emergency notifications from [your institution].

Sample Statement: Lecture Style Courses

While this course has been designed as a blended course, we may need to pivot to a fully online course in the event of a campus closure. If that happens, I will notify you of this change through a Canvas announcement. Our lectures will then move to a fully online format, and I will also create and post regular videos to help you stay connected to the course content. We will also have regular discussion boards on Canvas, so that you can continue to have conversations with your peers. Quizzes and exams will take place on Canvas, and you will submit all other assignments through the “Assignments” tab on Canvas. Please let me know if you have questions about how to submit assignments, take exams, or access the materials online.

I will be available to meet with you on Zoom during my designated office hours. However, if you cannot meet during those times, please contact me to schedule an appointment. I will do my best to support you through the transition to online learning.

Please be sure to sign up for emergency notifications from [your institution].

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Teaching Survival Guide: for Adjuncts by Adjuncts Copyright © 2025 by Jennifer McKanry. All Rights Reserved.