Rationale:
Syracuse University strives to provide a robust on-campus experience for its residential students. In support of this commitment, we generally expect instructors to deliver a full schedule of classes in-person and on-campus, together with providing on-campus student support, office hours, and advising. However, we recognize that online courses make our curricula and academic programs more accessible and more flexible. We also recognize that there may be other circumstances when faculty need or desire to teach a course online. This policy sets uniform rules regarding online teaching and the circumstances in which online teaching may be approved, at the discretion of the relevant academic dean.
The University has taken important steps to enhance access to a Syracuse University education by expanding online course offerings and developing new online programs. We continue to pursue growth in these areas based on a careful assessment that integrates our online course offerings with our strategic enrollment goals. We expect that all of our faculty and instructors are committed to the high standards of excellence for which we strive in all Syracuse University courses. For online courses, this commitment includes ensuring that online instructors have received training on best practices in online education, as well as providing students enrolled in online courses and academic programs with ample opportunities to develop strong connections with faculty members, instructors, and peers through synchronous class meetings, group projects, and/or virtual office hours.
Policy scope:
This policy applies to instructors, defined here as all full-time and part-time faculty, as well as graduate students and staff acting as instructors of record.
Policy:
The relevant academic dean is authorized to allow or deny online teaching for a given instructor. This decision is made in consultation with the relevant department chair or school director, where applicable. The University is committed to providing a robust on-campus experience, including in-person interactions with instructors, for its residential students, but a dean may, under the following circumstances, permit online instruction if the dean determines that it is in the best interest of the school/college, department, and students:
- A teaching assignment for a course within an in-person academic program that has designated sections that are regularly offered online and that can be assigned to any qualified instructor.
- A teaching assignment within a school/college online academic program or of an online course within such a program.
- It has been determined, after the interactive process through the Disability Access Team, that online teaching is a reasonable accommodation for a particular instructor for a given semester. Any such accommodations must be revisited every semester.
- In response to a disruption to educational or other services for reasons beyond the University’s control, in which case the University reserves the ability to change the requirements of this policy and to permit or require that a course be taught online.
Any online teaching arrangement for reasons not explicitly set forth in this section requires review and approval from the Associate Provost for Academic Programs.
Approved online courses or teaching must meet specific pedagogical goals for the academic unit, directly contribute to the learning outcomes or strategic plans of the relevant academic program or unit, or reflect an approved accommodation or response to a disruption, as described above. Each Dean’s office must maintain records concerning instructor teaching assignments, including the format/modality of each course being taught.
Prior to teaching online, instructors must complete University-offered or University-approved professional development, instruction, or training in online pedagogy. Faculty with demonstrated online teaching effectiveness may be exempt from this requirement at the discretion of the Associate Provost for Academic Programs.
Faculty appointment and reappointment letters should specify the modality or modalities a given faculty member will implement in the courses they teach for the duration of their appointment, if relevant.
All online courses and teaching must use University-supported learning management systems (LMSs). It is the responsibility of deans to ensure that the format/modality of each course offered in their school/college is appropriate for student engagement and for the learning objectives of that particular course. The syllabi for online courses must clearly and evidently demonstrate that the course meets the number of contact hours required by the New York State Education Department. Online courses may be offered in either 8-week or 16-week structures. Within an academic program, the combination of 8-week and 16-week courses should maximize student ability to complete majors, minors, and certificates in a timely fashion. Deans are responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements listed in this paragraph.
This policy is subject to change and does not establish any contractual rights for any Syracuse University student, faculty, or staff.
Violators of this policy are subject to referral to the appropriate disciplinary process based on their status as either a student or employee.
Approved by Provost: March 26, 2025
Revised version approved: June 10, 2025
Revised version approved: October 29, 2025