Syllabus repository sets students up for academic success

Every class at UNC-Chapel Hill plays a role in shaping Tar Heel students’ success and their future careers.

The choices made during the class registration process have ripple effects beyond students’ time in Chapel Hill. Connecting with a professor who becomes a mentor, learning about research that benefits society or finding inspiration through coursework to make new discoveries are all quintessential Carolina experiences that build a foundation for future leaders.

Thanks to the efforts of a collaborative, University-wide task force, students will now have access to more information about course material as they plan their academic journey.

Simple Syllabus, a third-party, template-driven syllabus management system that helps instructors quickly create, personalize and publish consistent digital course syllabi, rolled out this week, with sponsorship by the University Registrar’s Office. Carolina students will be able to search and access syllabi, helping them make informed choices about classes they select and how they may prepare them for success in their fields and beyond.

Carolina’s syllabus repository framework task force convened stakeholders from faculty, counsel, communications, Information Technology Services, digital accessibility, enrollment and student affairs, among others, to develop guidance, policy development and ensure integration into Canvas. The task force was guided by principles of shared governance, academic freedom and minimizing administrative burden.

“From ideation to implementation, this has been a model of successful shared governance,” said Giselle Corbie, senior vice provost and co-leader of the task force. “To see a group come together to create a solution that reflects our diverse schools and the College’s needs on such a tight time frame has really been exciting to be a part of.”

The solution puts Carolina in compliance with a new UNC System policy requiring most for-credit courses to have syllabi on a publicly visible and easily searchable online platform. This is intended to increase transparency, provide clearer expectations for students, and support academic planning and success. It does not affect faculty authority over course content, pedagogy or instructional design.

“Sharing syllabi in this way will create critical transparency for students throughout their academic journey at Carolina,” said James Orr, senior vice provost for student success. “This resource ensures a strong return on investment for our students, providing them the information they need to make smart decisions for their futures. I’m grateful for the task force’s work to ensure this is an easy-to-use tool for students and faculty while ensuring compliance with new System policy.”

The University offers 79 bachelor’s and 159 master’s programs across 15 schools. Its faculty include award-winning scholars, life-saving doctors and health professionals, artists and innovators who are finding solutions to and uncovering new information on issues facing society. They serve as mentors who provide students with the knowledge, resources and confidence to succeed.

The Simple Syllabus effort aligns with Carolina’s goal of providing student support and learning infrastructure through the full student life cycle from enrollment through graduation as part of the new Division of Student Success. Launched in February under Orr’s leadership, the new division brings together enrollment strategy, student experience and academic excellence in a unified structure to support students better.

Students can access syllabi through the library within Simple Syllabus. Resources for faculty members are on the Office of the Provost website.