While a new rule requires university professors to post their course syllabuses publicly − stirring criticism and pushback from union leaders and concerned faculty − Tallahassee State College has been ahead of the practice for years.
And contrary to reactions of concern on the university level, TSC faculty members like accounting professor Amy Bentley have not had any issues with the public syllabus posting requirement, in place since November 2022.
She explained the feasibility of using Simple Syllabus, the website where course syllabuses are posted. It’s also the same site that university faculty have been required to start using this spring semester.
“After using Simple Syllabus for several years, from a faculty perspective, the implementation was very manageable,” Bentley, a Florida State University alumna who has been teaching at TSC for over 20 years, told the Tallahassee Democrat.
“At this point, it is just a routine part of how we prepare for each term.”
TSC began publicly posting course syllabuses in 2022 as a directive from the Florida College System, which consists of 28 member institutions across the state.
But even though the law only required faculty members to post syllabuses for general education courses, TSC has been requiring professors of all credit classes to post the documents. From courses such as the history of civilization and child development to law enforcement and justice administration, the college currently has over 1,400 syllabuses posted on Simple Syllabus this spring.
“Making them accessible reflects the college’s commitment to transparency and to helping students make informed academic decisions,” a TSC spokesperson said in an email to the Tallahassee Democrat, referring to the syllabuses. “We continue to work collaboratively with faculty to ensure alignment with best practices across the Florida College System.”
In addition, TSC’s Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Calandra Stringer said there were no concerns from faculty members when the college implemented the syllabus rule years ago.
When it comes to the State University System (SUS) of Florida, the Board of Governors voted on the syllabus mandate last fall through a regulation on “Textbook and Instructional Materials Affordability and Transparency,” a directive backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration.
FSU’s Board of Trustees approved the rule in February to be in compliance with the state’s higher education board.
The amendment on public syllabus postings is reflected in Florida A&M University’s regulation on textbook and instructional materials following the FAMU Board of Trustees’ approval last year, and faculty have already complied by using the required website this semester.
Although trustees advanced the measure – reinforcing the state’s expanding role in shaping university policy – FSU professors voiced objections ahead of the decision, arguing that the move “adds to the fear” during a time where faculty feel attacked as efficiencies in higher education have been under scrutiny lately, FSU trustee and Faculty Senate President Roxanne Hughes told the university board at the February meeting.
University faculty have also complained that a 45-day deadline to post the syllabuses before classes begin could restrict their ability to adjust course content in response to new research or evolving classroom needs.
At the same time, syllabuses can be edited and updated by professors after being posted publicly. “Simple Syllabus streamlines the syllabus process to ensure consistency with required language and college policies, while still allowing faculty to personalize their syllabuses for their specific courses,” said Bentley, who currently has four syllabuses for accounting courses posted on the site this spring.
To find out more
Tarah Jean is the higher education reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat, a member of the USA TODAY Network – Florida. She can be reached at tjean@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @tarahjean_.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: ‘A routine’: TSC is ahead of the game with public syllabus postings
Reporting by Tarah Jean, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
