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Expectations regarding use of technology for extenuating circumstances

The mission of SMU is to “create, expand, and impart knowledge through teaching, research, and service, shaping world changers who contribute to their communities and excel in their professions in a global society.” As a result, SMU offers a student-centered environment that privileges and values direct, interpersonal, engagement among faculty and students. The face-to-face instruction of the traditional classroom setting is the cornerstone of the SMU educational experience, even in a world where technological innovation affords the possibility of other modalities. It is in the spirit of the SMU mission and in the awareness of the technological context in which we operate, that SMU faculty – in collaboration with the Office of the Provost – offer guidance on supporting students and faculty who, on occasion, might find themselves in circumstances that render them unable to attend classes in person.

Regular, in-person, synchronous instruction is expected for all courses. Regular, weekly in-person office hours are also required for all courses; if students request Zoom meetings, faculty can also offer Zoom, but not as an exclusive option. These guidelines are relevant for all courses except those approved as delivered fully online. For students, excused absences and situations not covered by policy in the , the manner in which activities may be made up is left to the discretion of each individual faculty member and/or department, with the understanding that some students will have DASS accommodations in place to be followed. In addition to traditional means, synchronous, remote instruction (Zoom), asynchronous, remote instruction via recordings, videos, and course management systems (Canvas), or other technological means may be used as means to accommodate situations. However, due to pedagogical, practical, and/or technical limitations, these options may not be available in all courses and/or in all class periods and should not be expected or required.

Accommodations made in one course does not imply similar accommodations will be made in other courses. Faculty should include applicable policies for attendance and means of makeup to students at the beginning of the term in writing in the syllabus.

For faculty, shifting a course to Zoom for up to three contact hours per term to accommodate conference travel or illness is permissible, with the expectation that the department chair and students will be notified in advance. Beyond three contact hours, however, alternative plans must be discussed and approved by the department chair and dean.

To maintain the high level of instruction to which SMU is committed, the following guidelines should be used to govern expectations and policy:

• Regular, in-person instruction is expected for all courses. While neither expected nor required, at their discretion faculty may make use of remote synchronous or asynchronous instruction – if feasible and appropriate – for excused absences and extenuating circumstances.
• For excused absences up to three hours of instruction per course: use of remote synchronous or asynchronous instruction is at the discretion of the instructor and/or department policy to accommodate both students and faculty with extenuating circumstances.
• For excused absences between 4-6 hours of instruction per course: use of remote synchronous or asynchronous instruction is at the discretion of the instructor and/or department policy, and subject to approval by department chair. Faculty may request, with departmental pre-approval, to shift a course to Zoom for between 4-6 hours of instruction to accommodate conference travel, illness, or extenuating circumstances.
• For excused absences of more than six hours of instruction per course: use of remote synchronous or asynchronous instruction is at the discretion of the instructor and/or department policy for students and must be approved by the department chair and dean of the school or college. It also may require consultation with the Dean of Students. Faculty may not shift a course to Zoom beyond six hours per course.

Faculty accommodations for remote modality courses after spring 2022

The President’s Executive Council approved the following language and requested that it be shared with all faculty:

“During the last two years [2019-2021], teaching face-to-face courses as emergency remote courses was authorized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). In light of the expiration of the emergency remote authorization by SACSCOC, beginning with May term 2022, emergency remote teaching will no longer be allowed. Faculty who need to request a reasonable accommodation on the basis of a disability for teaching should contact The Office of Institutional Access and Equity (IAE) to request on-campus accommodations. IAE will continue to assess each request on an individualized basis. Any courses at SMU that are taught through online modalities must be approved by the Educational Programs Committee and fully follow the SMU Office of Global, Online and Continuing Education process and production model.”