University Syllabus Policy Statements

Vision  

Missouri State University-West Plains will shape the future of our region by prioritizing learning, expanding pathways to workforce advancement, uplifting our communities, and igniting opportunity through education and innovation.

Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILO)

Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) include general skills, knowledge, or applications which students are expected to demonstrate after completing a program of study. The goal of assessing ILOs is to help improve our courses, curriculum, student success, instruction and involvement in co-curricular activities on campus. The ongoing process of student outcomes assessment also serves as evidence for institutional planning, resource allocation, and staff and faculty development.

1. Communicate Effectively

   Learning Outcome: Students will be able to use language systems to share meaning.

2. Think Critically

   Learning Outcome: Students will be able to evaluate data and solve problems.

3. Manage Information

   Learning Outcome: Students will be able to locate and evaluate information on various criteria.

4. Public Affairs

   Learning Outcome: Students will be able to purposefully engage as part of a community of citizens of the world.

5. Personal and Professional Development

   Learning Outcome: Students will be able to behave in a responsible manner for personal and professional development

Learning Assessment

Assessment of student learning is an integral part of curriculum development and revision. It documents that learning has occurred and provides a rational basis for making purposeful changes to curriculum content and pedagogy.

Assessment of student learning has the intent to improve student learning (the knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired through study and practice).

Through the assessment process, Institutional Learning Outcomes, Academic Program Outcomes and Course Outcomes are assessed to compare student-learning objectives (desired learning) to student-learning outcomes (what actually was learned) and use the information generated by these comparisons to make programmatic and pedagogical changes to improve student learning.

Assessment is the process that evaluates the university learning experience with the purpose of continual improvement and has the objective of assuring the accomplishment of the mission of Missouri State University-West Plains.

Student Evaluation of Classroom Instruction

Each semester, students are asked to complete an evaluation of their classes. These evaluations will occur at the end of the course. For 8 week courses, they will occur two weeks prior to the end of the course. For 16 week courses, they will occur three weeks prior to the last day of classes before final exams.

Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Procedure Policy

Missouri State University-West Plains does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, including in admission and employment. Concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment, should be referred to Melissa Berry, Title IX Coordinator, Carrington 205, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO 65897, 417-836-4252, or TitleIX@MissouriState.edu. MSU has adopted a grievance procedure policy for the prompt and equitable resolution of allegations of sexual discrimination, including sexual harassment. This policy is available at the Title IX website. Individuals may report an allegation of sex discrimination, file a complaint of sexual discrimination, or file a formal complaint of sexual harassment by contacting MSU’s Title IX Coordinator at Carrington 205, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, MO 65897, 417-836-4252, TitleIX@MissouriState.edu, or visiting the Title IX website.

Accommodation Policy

Students seeking service are responsible for notifying the University of their disabilities, requesting academic accommodation(s), and providing documentation of the disability from a qualified professional. Documentation must include necessary evidence of a disability-related need for the requested accommodation(s). Accommodation(s) cannot be based simply on the student's preferences; students must show a legitimate purpose for requesting an academic accommodation. Such accommodation(s), auxiliary aids, and services cannot alter the fundamental nature of the course or program of instruction. In addition, auxiliary aids and services cannot result in an undue burden to the University. Auxiliary aids and services as defined by law will be provided without cost to a student entitled to such aid. Students generally will not be provided devices or services of a personal nature, such as attendants, individually prescribed devices or readers for personal use or study.

Consistent with applicable law, the University does not discriminate in its educational programs/activities against any applicant for admission, student, applicant for employment, or employee on the basis of current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions. Accordingly, students and employees may not be treated differently on the basis of any parental, family, or marital status.

For academic accommodations, students should contact the Student Support Services-Disability Resources at 417-255-7711 or at wpstudentsupport@missouristate.edu 

Non-Discrimination Policy

Missouri State University is a community of people with respect for diversity. The University emphasizes the dignity and equality common to all persons and adheres to a strict non-discrimination policy regarding the treatment of individual faculty, staff, and students. In accord with federal law and applicable Missouri statutes, the University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including ancestry, or any other subcategory of national origin recognized by applicable law), religion, sex (including marital status, family status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other subcategory of sex recognized by applicable law), age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law in employment or in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University. Sex discrimination encompasses sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence, and is strictly prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

This policy shall not be interpreted in a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

The University maintains a grievance procedure incorporating due process available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. Missouri State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Minority/Female/Veterans/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity employer. Inquiries concerning the complaint/grievance procedure related to sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual assault, should be addressed to the Title IX Coordinator, Carrington Hall 205, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, Missouri 65897, TitleIX@MissouriState.edu, 417-836-4252, or to the Office for Civil Rights. All other inquiries concerning the grievance procedure, Affirmative Action Plan, or compliance with federal and state laws and guidelines should be addressed to the Equal Opportunity Officer, Office for Institutional Compliance, Carrington Hall 205, Springfield, Missouri 65897, Compliance@MissouriState.edu, 417-836-4252, or to the Office for Civil Rights. (Res. Board Policies No. 70-11; Bd. Min. 10-28-11.)

Additionally, for more information on this subject at the West Plains Campus, 128 Garfield, West Plains, Missouri 65775, please contact:

• Alyssa Collins, Institutional Compliance Liaison
• (417) 255-7265
• AlyssaCollins@MissouriState.edu

Reasonable Accommodations

Missouri State University provides reasonable accommodations that allow applicants, employees, or qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a position.

Reasonable accommodations will be made unless such accommodations have the end result of placing an undue burden on the operations of the University. If reasonable accommodations would cause undue hardship or burden because of costs, the individual with a disability shall be given the option of providing the accommodation themselves or paying for the portion of the cost that poses the undue hardship or burden. Employees needing accommodations should contact their supervisor or department head, or seek assistance from the following offices at their campus:

Springfield: Office for Institutional Compliance
Mountain Grove (Shannon Hall): Office of Human Resources - Kellett Hall 202
West Plains: Office of Human Resources - Kellett Hall 202
All other Locations: Office for Institutional Compliance

Suicide Prevention Policy

As required by Missouri law (Mo. Rev. Stat. §173.1200), this Policy is intended to advise Missouri State University students, faculty and staff of certain national, regional, and local suicide prevention programs available to students, faculty and staff on and off of Missouri State University’s campuses, the proper procedures for identifying and addressing the needs of students exhibiting suicidal tendencies or behavior, and the available University training regarding suicide prevention and response.

See the full Suicide Prevention Policy in the System's Policy Library.

Recommended Technology for Students

The use of technology is a part of our everyday lives at the university and there is important information you should know about your own computer’s capabilities, Internet access, Brightspace, and other technology tools whether you are participating in a classroom on campus or taking an online class. Visit the Recommend Technology for Students website to locate information you need to know about hardware and software requirements your personal devices will need to be successful in your courses. If you are conveniently located close to campus, the computers available in the open-access computer labs on campus meet or exceed the suggested specifications.

Academic Integrity

Missouri State University-West Plains is a community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who accept the responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity. You are responsible for knowing and following the university’s academic integrity policy plus additional more-specific policies for each class. The Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures (Policy) is available on the Academic Affairs Policy Library website.

Examples of academic integrity violations include cheating, fabrication or other research misconduct, plagiarism, and/or facilitating an academic integrity violation. Any student participating in an academic integrity violation(s) will be subject to sanctions as described in the Policy.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is taken for all courses, the entire semester. Financial aid is not released until after attendance is confirmed. Students who stop attending courses may be held responsible for federal funds received and be required to pay back federal funds. Students should talk with the office of financial aid before no longer attending a course, dropping a course or withdrawing from a semester. Students who fail to attend 25% or more of the course class meetings can be dropped by the faculty member. Please be reminded that attendance in an online course is measured by active participation, such as posting on a discussion board, turning in an assignment, completing an exam, etc. Attention online students: Signing into Brightspace does not constitute attendance.

See the catalog for the revised Attendance Policy.

Dropping a Class

It is your responsibility to understand the University’s procedure for dropping a class. If you stop attending this class but do not follow proper procedure for dropping the class, you will receive a failing grade and will also be financially obligated to pay for the class. For information about dropping a class or withdrawing from the university, contact the Office of the Registrar at 417-255-7979. You can access the Academic Calendar on the MSU-WP website to view drop and refund deadlines for the semester.

Weather Policy

When the Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) campus is closed or classes are cancelled or delayed due to an emergency or inclement weather situations, an official announcement will be issued through Missouri State Alert, at the top of the MSU-WP homepage, on the university’s main social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the Mountain Grove Facebook Page), and through the news media (television and radio). Sudents should consult the weather policy website for more information. 

Emergency Response

During the first class meeting, students should become familiar with a basic emergency response plan through a dialogue with the instructor that includes a review and awareness of exits specific to the classroom and the location of evacuation centers for the building. Students with disabilities impacting mobility should discuss the approved accommodations for emergency situations and additional options when applicable with the instructor. For more information, visit Campus Safety.

Electronic Devices in the Classroom

As a member of the learning community, each student has a responsibility to the other students who are members of the community. When cell phones or pagers ring and students respond in class or leave class to respond, it disrupts the class. Therefore, the office of academic affairs asks that cell phones, pagers or similar communication devices be turned off or put into silent mode during class. At the discretion of the instructor, exception to this policy is possible in special circumstances.

The University also acknowledges the usefulness of electronic devices to students in the learning process; however, the use of computers, PDAs or other electronic devices in classrooms and instructional settings is at the discretion of the instructor. Students should review instructors' policy statements for information about whether or not they will be allowed to use such devices in the classroom or other instructional setting.

Pregnancy and Parenting

Consistent with applicable law, the University does not discriminate in its educational programs/activities against any applicant for admission, student, applicant for employment, or employee on the basis of current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions. Accordingly, students and employees may not be treated differently on the basis of any parental, family, or marital status.

Student Accommodations and Modifications

Reasonable accommodations and modifications may be provided to students with needs related to pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions. If a student would like to request an accommodation or modification, please contact the University’s Accessibility Coordinator at 417-836-8507 or Accessibility@MissouriState.edu to initiate that interactive process.