University Syllabus Policy Statements
As a student at Missouri State University, it is important to familiarize yourself with the following syllabus policy statements that apply to all courses. For program and course specific policies please refer to the individual course syllabus provided by your instructor.
Included Policies
Using LockDown Browser with Respondus Monitor for Online Exams
Mental Health & Stress Management
Student Requirements for Technology
Audio/Video Recording of Course Activity
Using LockDown Browser with Respondus Monitor for Online Exams
Students taking online exams should assume that they are being video recorded from the point at which they open the lockdown application until the conclusion of the exam period. Please be aware that all aspects of your environment may be recorded and saved. Accordingly, students are encouraged to ensure that their testing environment is free from any sensitive documents or items that they do not wish to be recorded. If you are in a location and/or situation where you may be interrupted due to family, roommates, other interruptions, etc., let the professor know in advance of the test administration.
Nondiscrimination
Missouri State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and maintains a grievance procedure available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your right to address inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to the Office for Institutional Equity and Compliance, Carrington Hall 205, 417-836-4252. Other types of concerns (i.e., concerns of an academic nature) should be discussed directly with your instructor and can also be brought to the attention of your instructor’s Department Head. Please visit the OIEC website.
Disability Accommodation
If you are a student with a disability and anticipate barriers related to this course, it is important to request accommodations and establish an accommodation plan with the University. Please contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at the Disability Resource Center website, Meyer Library, Suite 111, 417-836-4192, to initiate the process to establish your accommodation plan. The DRC will work with you to establish your accommodation plan, or it may refer you to other appropriate resources based on the nature of your disability. In order to prepare an accommodation plan, the University usually requires that students provide documentation relating to their disability. Please be prepared to provide such documentation if requested. Once a University accommodation plan is established, you may notify the class instructor of approved accommodations. If you wish to utilize your accommodation plan, it is suggested that you do so in a timely manner, preferably within the first two weeks of class. Early notification to the instructor allows for full benefit of the accommodations identified in the plan. Instructors will not receive your approved accommodation plan until you request faculty notification be sent through the Bear Access portal. Please note, instructors are not required to apply approved accommodations retroactively.
Title IX Policy
Missouri State University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, including in admission and employment. Concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment, should be referred to Melissa Berry, Title IX Coordinator, Carrington 205, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO 65897, 417-836-4252, or TitleIX@MissouriState.edu. MSU has adopted a grievance procedure policy for the prompt and equitable resolution of allegations of sexual discrimination, including sexual harassment. This policy is available at the Title IX website. Individuals may report an allegation of sex discrimination, file a complaint of sexual discrimination, or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment by contacting MSU’s Title IX Coordinator at Carrington 205, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO 65897, 417-836-4252, TitleIX@MissouriState.edu, or visiting the Title IX website.
Lauren’s Promise
I will listen and believe you if someone is threatening you.
Lauren McCluskey, a 21-year-old honors student-athlete, was murdered on October 22nd, 2018, by a man that she had briefly dated on the University of Utah’s campus.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911 immediately.
If you are experiencing sexual assault, domestic violence, and or stalking, please reach out to the Title IX Office and they will connect you to resources. You may also call The Victim Center at 417-864-7233 (SAFE) (There is a 24-hour crisis hotline).
MSU has an on-campus option, The Counseling Center, which is located in the Magers Health and Wellness Center (417-836-5116) where students have access to licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors. MSU students may access 8 sessions per semester in the Counseling Center without cost. Additionally,The Victim Center is an off-campus free counseling service for victims of sexual assault and dating and domestic violence.
Resource Phone Numbers (non-emergency) and Websites:
- Title IX Website; Title IX Phone number: 417-836-6810
- Green Dot Website
- The Victim Center Website; Victim Center phone number: 417-863-7273
- Springfield Police Department non-emergency phone number: 417-864-1810
- Missouri State University Safety Website; University Safety phone number: 417-836-5509
Religious Accommodation
The University may provide a reasonable accommodation based on a person’s sincerely held religious belief. In making this determination, the University reviews a variety of factors, including whether the accommodation would create an undue hardship. The accommodation request imposes responsibilities and obligations on both the individual requesting the accommodation and the University. Students who expect to miss classes, examinations, or other assignments as a consequence of their sincerely held religious belief shall be provided with a reasonable alternative opportunity to complete such academic responsibilities. It is the obligation of students to provide faculty with reasonable notice of the dates of religious observances on which they will be absent by submitting a Request for Religious Accommodation Form to the instructor by the end of the third week of a full semester course or the end of the second week of a half semester course.
Mental Health & Stress Management
As a student you may experience a range of personal issues that can impede learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance and may reduce your ability to participate in daily activities. Learn Visit the Missouri State University Counseling Center website to learn more about free and confidential services available to assist you.
Chosen Name Policy
A student may choose a name other than their legal name to identify themselves at Missouri State University. A chosen name is different than the student’s legal name. Refer to the Chosen Name policy for more information. Students can provide their chosen first and middle names in the Profile tab of My Missouri State.
Suicide Prevention
In accordance with Missouri law (Mo. Rev. Stat. §173.1200), the University has established a policy regarding Suicide Prevention, available Suicide Programs and Related Procedures. You can read the policy as well as view a list of national, state and local resources on the Suicide Prevention, Available Suicide Programs and Related Procedures section of the Missouri State University website.
Student Requirements for Technology
The use of technology is a part of our everyday lives at the university and there is important information you should know about your own computer’s capabilities, Internet access, Brightspace, and other technology tools whether you are participating in a classroom on campus or taking an online class. Visit the Computer Services Computer Requirements website to locate information you need to know about hardware and software requirements your personal devices will need to be successful in your courses. If you are conveniently located to campus, the computers available in the open-access computer labs on campus meet or exceed the suggested specifications.
Academic Integrity
Missouri State University is a community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who accept the responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity. You are responsible for knowing and following the university’s academic integrity policy plus additional more-specific policies for each class. The Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures (Policy) is available on the University Policy Library website.
Examples of academic integrity violations include cheating, fabrication or other research misconduct, plagiarism, and/or facilitating an academic integrity violation. Any student participating in an academic integrity violation(s) will be subject to sanctions as described in the Policy.
Cell Phone Policy
As a member of the learning community, each student has a responsibility to other students who are members of the community. When cell phones or pagers ring and students respond in class or leave class to respond, it disrupts the class. Therefore, the Office of the Provost prohibits the use by students of cell phones, pagers, PDAs, or similar communication devices during scheduled classes. All such devices must be turned off or put in a silent (vibrate) mode and ordinarily should not be taken out during class. Given the fact that these same communication devices are an integral part of the University’s emergency notification system, an exception to this policy would occur when numerous devices activate simultaneously. When this occurs, students may consult their devices to determine if a university emergency exists. If that is not the case, the devices should be immediately returned to silent mode and put away. Other exceptions to this policy may be granted at the discretion of the instructor.
Audio/Video Recording of Course Activity
Students who wish to record lectures or class activities for study purposes should inform the faculty member first. Distribution or sale of recordings or other course materials is prohibited without the written permission of the instructor and other students who are recorded. Distribution without permission is a violation of copyright law and the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities (Sections 4.6, 4.8, 4.9).
Dropping a Class
It is your responsibility to understand the University’s procedure for dropping a class. If you stop attending this class but do not follow proper procedure for dropping the class, you will receive a failing grade and will also be financially obligated to pay for the class. For information about dropping a class or withdrawing from the university, contact the Office of the Registrar at 417-836-5520. You can access the Academic Calendar on the MSU website to view drop and refund deadlines for the semester.
Emergency Response
During the first class meeting, students should become familiar with a basic emergency response plan through a dialogue with the instructor that includes a review and awareness of exits specific to the classroom and the location of evacuation centers for the building. All instructors are provided this information specific to their classroom and/or lab assignments in an e-mail prior to the beginning of the fall semester from the Office of the Provost and Safety and Transportation. Students with disabilities impacting mobility should discuss the approved accommodations for emergency situations and additional options when applicable with the instructor. For more information, visit University Safety.
Cultural Competence Statement
Cultural Competence, as one of the pillars of the Public Affairs Mission at Missouri State University (MSU), is the capacity to empathize with and ability to effectively and appropriately interact with people who have different backgrounds. These individuals and groups include, but are not limited to, differences in nationality, culture, religion, ethnicity, race, gender, language, age, sexual orientation, gender expression, disability and socio-economic status. Cultural consciousness involves developing an understanding of how these differences impact access to higher education and inclusion in the broader community. Cultural competence requires both humility and a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and awareness of differences relative to one's own worldview (Statement jointly developed by the Provost Diversity Council and The Office of Diversity and Inclusion, May 2021).
Pregnancy and Parenting
Consistent with applicable law, the University does not discriminate in its educational programs/activities against any applicant for admission, student, applicant for employment, or employee on the basis of current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions. Accordingly, students and employees may not be treated differently on the basis of any parental, family, or marital status.
Student Accommodations and Modifications
Reasonable accommodations and modifications may be provided to students with needs related to pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions. If a student would like to request an accommodation or modification, please contact the University’s Deputy Compliance Officer at (417) 836-6755 or JuliaHolmes@MissouriState.edu to initiate that interactive process.