The course policies below list university policies for instructors to consider when developing their courses and course outlines. The page is organized into two sections. The first section covers grading policies to be used by instructors. The second section covers course outline policies for students, including policies from the LA&PS course outline template, as well as additional policies instructors might consider adding to course outlines.
Grading and Course Policies
While creating a course, instructors may consider the following university grading and course policies. All policies below do not appear in the LA&PS course outline template, except for the common grading scheme which does appear in the template.
The grading scheme for all courses (i.e., kinds and weights of assignments, essays, exams, etc.) shall be announced, and be available in writing, within the first two weeks of class. Full details are available in the Senate Grading Scheme and Feedback Policy.
Under normal circumstances, graded feedback worth at least 15% of the final grade for Fall, Winter or Summer Term, and 30% for ‘full year’ courses offered in the Fall/Winter Term, shall be received by students in all courses prior to the final withdrawal date from a course without receiving a grade. Full details are available in the Senate Grading Scheme and Feedback Policy.
Please note that no examinations or tests worth more than 20% of the final grade may be given during the final fourteen (14) calendar days of classes in a term. (See the Limits on the Worth of Examinations in the Final Classes of a Term (Policy) for exceptions to this rule.) If you have an examination or test worth more than 20% of the final grade, it must be scheduled during the formal exam period. Full details are available in the Limits on the Worth of Examinations in the Final Classes of a Term Policy.
Grades are typically due on the GAM System ten (10) business days after the last day of classes for courses with no formal exam. If there is a formal exam, grades are due five (5) business days after the exam. Full details are available in the Grades Input on the Web from the Office of the University Registrar.
The grading scheme for this course conforms to the 9-point system used in undergraduate programs at York University. Access Grades and Grading Schemes under Academic and Financial Information in the Undergraduate Course Calendar to explore this scheme. Full details are available in the Common Grading Scheme for Undergraduate Faculties Policy.
The individual cost of all required and optional textbooks and learning materials must be included in the course outline. If the cost for the current year is unavailable at the time of course outline distribution, the most recent cost should be included with an accompanying note that indicates it may change.
Additionally, any restrictions that would prevent a student from using a second-hand copy or a prior edition of the textbook or learning material should be included.
If you have questions about costing or sourcing course learning materials, please reach out to the YU Bookstore. To quickly identify course material costs, consider checking the publisher’s website as the Bookstore will usually match this pricing. For information about adopting Open Educational Resources (OER), please explore YU Libraries' OER 101.
Course Outline Policies
While creating a course outline, instructors may consider including the following course policies.
Policies in the LA&PS Course Outline Template
The following policies are included in the LA&PS course outline template. The GenAI use policy provides different options to consider: one if GenAI use is not allowed and one if it is allowed. While the template includes wording around students not being permitted to use GenAI, this can be updated and adapted based on the requirements of specific courses and disciplines.
Academic integrity is a fundamental and important value of York University. To maintain a fair and honest learning environment, you are responsible for understanding and upholding academic integrity in all courses and academic activities. You are encouraged to connect with reliable on-campus resources that support your coursework and academic honesty. To better understand the serious consequences of breaching academic honesty policies, familiarize yourself with the Senate Policy on Academic Conduct. You can learn more about upholding academic integrity in your courses by exploring Guiding Principles for LA&PS and Academic Integrity for Students.
Two permission versions of a GenAI policy are provided below. The version where students are not permitted to use GenAI is included in the LA&PS Course Outline Template.
If students are not permitted to use GenAI in a course:
Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (AI) in this course. Submitting any work created (in whole or part) through the use of generative AI tools will be considered a violation of York University’s Senate Policy on Academic Conduct. Using AI apps such as ChatGPT, GPT-3, DALL-E, translation software or others to complete academic work without instructor’s knowledge or permission is considered to be a breach of academic honesty. For more information, please review AI Technology & Academic Integrity: Information for Students.
If you’re not sure whether using an AI app for your academic work is acceptable, it is recommended that you:
- Carefully review the guidelines for your assessments
- Check for any messages from your instructor on eClass
- Ask your instructor or TA if they are permitting the use of these tools
If students are permitted to use GenAI in a course:
Students are permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (AI) in this course in the following ways/on the following assignments: [share instructions specific to the course].
Submitting any work created (in whole or partly) through the use of generative AI tools without your instructor's permission is a violation of York University’s Senate Policy on Academic Conduct. If you do not know whether an online resource or tool can be used in this course, please contact your instructor for guidance. For more information, please review AI Technology & Academic Integrity: Information for Students.
Further Resources:
To promote academic integrity, students will normally be required to submit their written assignments to Turnitin (via the course’s eClass site) for a review of textual similarities and the detection of possible plagiarism. In so doing, students will allow their material to be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database, where they will be used only for the purpose of detecting plagiarism. The terms that apply to the University’s use of the Turnitin service are described on the Turnitin.com website. York students may opt out of using Turnitin. If students wish to opt out, they should contact their instructor as soon as possible.
York University is committed to creating a learning environment which provides equal opportunity to all members of its community. If you anticipate or experience any barriers to learning in this course, please discuss your concerns with your instructor as early as possible. For students with disabilities, contact Student Accessibility Services to coordinate academic accommodations and services. Accommodations will be communicated to Course Directors through a Letter of Accommodation (LOA). Accommodations for tests/exams normally require three (3) weeks (or 21 days) before the scheduled test/exam to arrange.
York University is committed to respecting the religious beliefs and practices of all members of the community and making reasonable and appropriate accommodations to adherents for observances of special significance. Should any of the dates specified in this syllabus for course examinations, tests, or deadlines conflict with a date of religious significance, please contact the instructor within the first three (3) weeks of class. If the date falls within the formal examination periods, you must complete and submit a Religious Accommodation for Examination Form at least three (3) weeks before the start of the exam period.
Course materials are designed for use as part of this course at York University and are the intellectual property of the instructor unless otherwise stated. Third-party copyrighted materials (such as book chapters, journal articles, music, videos, etc.) have either been licensed for use in this course or fall under an exception or limitation in Canadian copyright law. Students may not publish, post on an Internet site, sell, or otherwise distribute any course materials or work without the instructor’s express permission. Course materials should only be used by students enrolled in this course.
Copying this material for distribution (e.g., uploading material to a commercial third-party website) may lead to a charge of misconduct according to York’s Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, the Senate Policy on Academic Conduct, and/or legal consequences for copyright violations.
Additional Course Outline Policies
The following lists additional policies that instructors might consider adding to course outlines.
Zoom is hosted on servers in the United States and Canada. Recordings done since May 4, 2022 are stored in Canada. For more information, please refer to the notes on Zoom Privacy and Security provided by Information Security at York. If you have privacy concerns about your data, provide only your first name or a nickname when you join a session. The system is configured in a way that all participants are automatically notified when a session is being recorded. A session cannot be recorded without you knowing about it.
York University is committed to fostering teaching and learning environments that are free of disruptive and/or harassing behaviour, physically safe and conducive to effective teaching and learning. Students and instructors are expected to maintain a professional relationship characterized by courtesy, civility and mutual respect and to refrain from actions disruptive to such a relationship. Individuals who fail to adhere to such standards and who violate University or public law may be subject to disciplinary action by the University.
For more information, see the policies on Disruptive and/or Harassing Behaviour in Academic Situations and Student Conduct and Responsibilities, as well as the Code of Student Rights & Responsibilities.
Students and instructors have a joint responsibility to create and maintain a welcoming and inclusive learning environment. All students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Please review and familiarize yourself with behaviours that support “netiquette” in virtual classrooms by consulting the eLearning Getting Started (LA&PS eServices).
Activities for this course may involve recording. Images, audio, text/chat messaging that have been recorded may only be used and/or made available to students enrolled in the course and those supporting the course. Recordings are for your learning; you are not permitted to share the link to/URL or copies of a recording to anyone. Recordings will be managed according to the University’s Common Record Schedule and your personal information is protected in accordance with York University’s Guidelines on Access to Student Records and Protection of Privacy and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Access to online materials, including recordings or live meetings, is subject to York University’s Senate Policy on Computing and Information Technology Facilities. Full details are available in the Student Notice of Recording.
Hyflex sessions are digitally transmitted and may be recorded to support teaching and learning in the classroom. As a result, York University may collect your image, voice, name, personal views and opinions and course work under the authority of The York University Act, 1965, and for use in related educational purposes. Students who participate in a Hyflex session are consenting to have their video or image transmitted and/or recorded. In addition, students who participate orally are consenting to have their voices, personal views and opinions transmitted and/or recorded. If you have concerns regarding the digital transmission or recording of your image or voice, please communicate with your instructor; you may be referred to the Associate Dean or Information and Privacy Office. Students are not permitted to use any third-party software or application to record a transmitted Hyflex session.
Recordings of Hyflex course sessions will be retained along with other posted course materials in accordance with York’s Common Record Schedule. Access to any recordings should be limited to the instructor, the TA(s), and the students enrolled in the course. Instructors, TA(s) and students may not post, share, or otherwise publish recorded materials outside of the Hyflex course. Student access will be removed following the end of each term. Instructors are not to keep a copy of the recorded Hyflex session or store a copy locally on their own device or in a cloud-based service other than eClass. Recordings that include student images or audio may not be used for a subsequent offering of the course.
If you have questions about the collection or use of your personal information, please contact your instructor or the Privacy Office at info.privacy@yorku.ca.
Questions?
Reach out to lapsteach@yorku.ca to connect with the Teaching & Learning team.