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Cornell University

Student Assembly - Resolution 78 (2025-2026)

Recommending an Adequate Provision of Course Information to Students Prior to Course Enrollment

  • Term:
    2025-2026
  • Assembly:
  • Status: In Discussion
  • Abstract: This resolution is a recommendation to faculty to provide an adequate outline of what a student can expect to learn and what work they can expect to complete in any given course.
  • See full resolution

    Whereas, students ought to know the structure and content of courses they enroll in at the beginning of the pre-enrollment period,
    Whereas, course enrollment for the upcoming semester respective to the current one typically occurs in the current semester’s closing weeks,
    Whereas, the vast majority of courses listed on Student Center, Scheduler, or other class roster platforms at the time of course enrollment do not have finalized or even preliminarily drafted syllabi,
    Whereas, course syllabi outline the learning objectives, due dates, content, and instructor information a student needs to academically succeed,
    Whereas, students have a right of information in adequately planning their semesters and courses of study writ large,
    Be it therefore resolved, an adequate outline of relevant academic course expectations be made available prior to course enrollment,
    Be it therefore resolved, this “adequate outline” goes beyond a generic summary of the course topic and includes but is not limited to:
         -a short course abstract, approximately one paragraph in length, that summarizes learning objectives;
         -planned preliminary examinations (prelims), midterms, or tests of any kind;
    Be it further resolved, in cases in which a course has been previously taught, a prior term’s syllabus will suffice for an “adequate outline”,
    Be it further resolved, this “adequate outline” provided by instructors prior to course enrollment is understood to be subject to revision, but a sufficient expectation for what the course entails,
    Be it finally resolved, students are well-equipped for the courses they enroll in with a provision of general course information prior to enrollment. 

  • Resolution File:
  • Supporting Documents:
  • Sponsors: Alexander Walters (apw65), Lydia Ella Blum (leb257), Max Ehrlich (mae222), Aidan Moodley (adm289), Dylan Carson (dpc227)
  • Reviewing Committee:

History

No meetings are associated with this resolution.