窪蹋勛圖

Publicly Accessible Course Syllabus Working Group

The (Section 3345.029) requires public institutions in the state of Ohio to publicly post a document produced for students by a course instructor (referred to as a course syllabus) that includes all the following: 

  1. The name of the course instructor;
  2. A calendar for the course outlining what materials and topics will be covered and when during the course they will be covered;
  3. A list of any required or recommended readings for the course;
  4. The course instructor's professional qualifications 

The Act (Section 3345.029) further requires that each state institution make the syllabus for each undergraduate course it offers for college credit publicly available beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. Each state institution must make a syllabus available no later than the first day of classes for the semester or academic term in which the course is offered. 

To accomplish this, the institution must do one of the following: 

  1. Ensure that each course instructor posts a course syllabus on a publicly accessible web site that includes (a) the course instructor's professional qualifications; (b) the course instructor's contact information; (c) the course instructor's course schedule; and (d) the course syllabus for each course the instructor is currently teaching, which shall be accessible by link or download through the web site.
  2. Post a course syllabus for each course on the institution's publicly accessible web site where each course syllabus must be (a) accessible from the main page of the state institution's web site by use of not more than three links; (b) searchable by keywords and phrases; and (c) accessible to the public without requiring user registration of any kind. 

To comply with the requirements of the Act, 窪蹋勛圖 will be pursuing option 2.  

Working Group Charge 

To accomplish this, the working group is being asked to: 

  • Thoroughly review the syllabus details/requirements of the Act to ensure common understanding.
  • Assist with developing a syllabus template for faculty.
  • Assist with developing and communicating the process, requirements, guidelines, and internal deadlines. 
  • Assist with developing and implementing a process to verify full compliance by the states deadline.
  • Assist with modifying language for policies/documents (e.g., 窪蹋勛圖 Faculty Handbook) to align 窪蹋勛圖 requirements/expectations with state requirements.
  • Provide other support for faculty and academic leaders (if necessary). 

Working Group Expectations 

Members will meet virtually twice per month on the second and fourth Monday from 4-5PM (August 2025 March 2026). In addition, members may be asked to serve in smaller subgroups. 

Working Group Goal 

The goal is to complete the task force charge and to prepare a written summary report. The deadline for the report is March 1, 2026. However, work may be completed prior to the deadline. 

Appendix 

(Section 3345.029) 

Sec. 3345.029.  

(A) As used in this section:  

(1) "Community college" has the same meaning as in section 3333.168 of the Revised Code. 

(2) "Course syllabus" means a document produced for students by a course instructor that includes all of the following: 

(a) The name of the course instructor; 

(b) A calendar for the course outlining what materials and topics will be covered and when during the course they will be covered; 

(c) A list of any required or recommended readings for the course; 

(d) The course instructor's professional qualifications. 

(3) "General syllabus" means a document produced for students by a community college regarding a course that includes both of the following:  

(a) A calendar for the course outlining what materials and topics will be covered and when during the course they will be covered; 

(b) A list of any required or recommended readings for the course. 

(4) "State institution of higher education" has the same meaning as in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code. 

(B) Beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, each state institution of higher education shall make a syllabus for each undergraduate course it offers for college credit publicly available by doing one of the following: 

(1) Ensuring that each course instructor posts a course syllabus on a publicly accessible web site. Each such web site shall include the following information: 

(a) The course instructor's professional qualifications; 

(b) The course instructor's contact information; 

(c) The course instructor's course schedule; 

(d) The course syllabus for each course the instructor is currently teaching, which shall be accessible by link or download through the web site. 

(2) Posting a course syllabus for each course on the institution's publicly accessible web site. Each course syllabus shall be all of the following:  

(a) Accessible from the main page of the state institution's web site by use of not more than three links; 

(b) Searchable by keywords and phrases; 

(c) Accessible to the public without requiring user registration of any kind. 

(3) If the institution is a community college, posting a general syllabus for a course on the college's publicly accessible web site. Each general syllabus shall be all of the following: 

(a) Accessible from the main page of the college's web site by use of not more than three links; 

(b) Searchable by keywords and phrases; 

(c) Accessible to the public without requiring user registration of any kind. 

(C)(1) Each state institution shall make a syllabus available in accordance with division (B) of this section not later than the first day of classes for the semester or academic term in which the course is offered.  

(2) For any syllabus posted under division (B)(1) of this section that is no longer used, the course instructor shall, upon request, make that syllabus available for not less than two years after that syllabus was posted under that division. 

(3) Any syllabus posted under division (B)(2) or (3) of this section shall remain posted on the state institution's web site for not less than two years after it was first posted. 

(4) To the extent practicable, each state institution shall ensure that the most recently updated syllabus for each undergraduate course it offers for college credit is posted in accordance with division (B) of this section. 

(D) Divisions (B) and (C) of this section do not apply to a college course that is offered through the college credit plus program established under Chapter 3365. of the Revised Code, delivered in a secondary school, and taught by a high school teacher. 

(E) Each state institution shall designate an administrator to implement the institution's responsibilities under this section. The administrator may assign duties for that purpose to one or more administrative employees. 

(F) Each state institution shall prepare a written report regarding its compliance with the requirements under this section for the chancellor of higher education in accordance with guidelines established under section 3345.0219 of the Revised Code. 

The chancellor shall prepare a report that includes each report received from a state institution under this division. 

(G) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a publicly available syllabus to include the location or time of day at which a course is being held.