As students return to college for the fall semester, they receive heavy amounts of course materials, including the daunting syllabus.
Some professors keep their syllabi clear and straightforward while others include intimidating rhetoric and perplexing pages full of the university policies and Federal Education laws.
The syllabus is the contract between students and professors that states the course information, regulations and operations. The proper comprehension of the syllabus, which includes the Student Conduct Code, is imperative to students' success.
ASU clinical associate professor for the W. P. Carey School of Business James H. Moore explains that the majority of the legal jargon used in course syllabi are boilerplates of ASU regulations.
Moore describes a boilerplate as a "language which is used commonly in documents having a definite meaning in the same context without a variation.”
Boilerplates are present in the majority of the ASU syllabi which include: ABOR Student Code of Conduct, Student Disciplinary Procedures, Student Disciplinary/Grievance Procedures, Academic Integrity Policy and Title IX.
ASU students seem to have a clear understanding of the syllabus, but the boilerplates are usually overlooked.
"The majority of students are able to understand the legality of the syllabus, though various policies can be confusing ... some course syllabi have a hindering effect on students," Dillon Denio, ASU junior studying business law, said.
On the other hand, sophomore Daniel Herder, a student at the Sandra Day O'Connor School of Law recognizes that the syllabi's boilerplates are simple enough to be understood.
"Professors' syllabi include the form templates that are recommended by the legal department to simplify the university and course mission, regulations and expectations," Herder said.
Although boilerplates may seem mundane, they are extremely important. For example, Title IX has greatly improved women's athletics and fitness.
It states that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
Though we may take Title IX for granted, it is imperative to the Department of Education, and Women's Athletic Association.
According to Shape America in 1972, 817,073 girls participated in high-school athletics compared to 3,207,533 girls who participate in high-school athletics in 2014.
The significant growth of women involved in athletics allows for a more diverse, cultured and well rounded society.
Inclusion is paramount to our society. Boilerplates included in the syllabus overlap with important federal policies like Title IX. Therefore, it is important that students have a stronger grasp on their meaning.
Students of ASU have civil, constitutional, contractual and consumer rights that grant them freedoms to utilize their educational investment to the utmost potential.
Students should harness their rights to create a positive and successful educational environment by educating themselves on the University's policies, which may be more relevant to their academic careers than they think.
Reach the columnist at nlplunke@asu.edu or follow @ninalplunkett
Editor’s note: The opinions presented in this column are the author’s and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
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