Autumn 2026
The Office of Academic Affairs shares resources and support to assist all Ohio State faculty and instructors during the autumn semester.
Asynchronous Learning and Civic Engagement Day
On Election Day, Nov. 3, Ohio State will hold a university-wide Asynchronous Learning and Civic Engagement Day. Instructors whose classes would otherwise have met in person or virtually on Nov. 3, in lieu of meeting, may assign asynchronous classwork (e.g., reading, writing, a problem set, an asynchronous online lab or other homework) to be determined by the instructor.
While it is expected that most classes scheduled to meet that day will proceed asynchronously, instructors may elect to have labs and clinical classes continue to meet in person or virtually if necessary for compliance or other compelling educational purposes as determined by the instructor.
Voting resources
To encourage civic engagement, the Office of Student Life’s OSU Votes is a student-led movement to designed to register, educate and encourage other students to vote. This nonpartisan group fosters university-wide civic engagement and is committed to providing students with the necessary information and resources needed to vote in every local, state and federal election.
Listen. Learn. Discuss.
The Listen. Learn. Discuss. website offers a set of skill-building resources for respectfully listening, discussing different points of view, building trust with one another, and successfully navigating complex conversations even — and especially — when we disagree. On Oct. 29, the Listen. Learn. Discuss. initiative is hosting “Beyond Red & Blue: Scarlet, Gray and You,” an opportunity for the entire Ohio State community to discuss election season issues guided by Ohio State’s 4Cs of Civil Discourse. Please encourage your students to attend.
Teaching Support for AI Fluency
The Michael V. Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning offers numerous resources and learning opportunities to help all who teach make informed decisions about incorporating AI into teaching and learning. The institute’s offerings will guide you to communicate clear expectations for AI use, design effective learning activities in light of AI, and employ teaching strategies that help students use AI critically, responsibly and effectively.
For students who need to drop a class
The last day to drop a class with a “W” without a petition is Friday, Oct. 30.
OAA Classroom Survey
Your input is essential to inform future classroom technology, design and investment decisions across the university. Please share feedback about your experience teaching in university classrooms. To complete the survey, follow the steps below:
- Log in at go.osu.edu/classroomsurvey using your username (name.#) and password.
- Select a classroom in your assignment list.*
- Complete the survey.
- If you teach in multiple classrooms, you are welcome to return to the survey to evaluate additional rooms.
The classroom survey will close Friday, Nov. 6. For questions or technical assistance, please contact classroomhelp@osu.edu.
*If you receive a “No Rooms Found” error, please refresh your browser and try the link again.
Reporting discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct
Ohio State is a place of learning and healing where we treat each other with kindness and respect. You can report issues without fear of retaliation by contacting the Civil Rights Compliance Office.
Faculty Mentoring at Ohio State
Faculty mentoring extends across the academic lifespan and is foundational to success at Ohio State. It empowers faculty, strengthens academic communities, and advances the university’s commitment to excellence.
Faculty Mentoring at Ohio State.
Simple Syllabus deadline reminder - Aug. 25
All undergraduate courses, including second term classes, must have required elements published in Simple Syllabus by Aug. 25. For guidance on how to use Simple Syllabus, instructors are invited to upcoming workshops on Aug. 20 or Aug. 26. Additional guidance is available on the Teaching and Learning Resource center website.
Some syllabus template guidance has changed since the system became available in April. Review the guidance sections of the template in Simple Syllabus carefully and update your document if needed.
Note that Simple Syllabus shows the name(s) of the instructor(s) of record. Other instructional roles will have full ability to edit the syllabus document, but their names will not be displayed unless they are listed in the Registrar’s system and the “print to schedule” box is checked. More guidance on instructor visibility is available in the Administrative Resource Center.
Freedom of Expression
Ohio State is committed to intellectual freedom and civic engagement. The university strives to foster an environment where all viewpoints are welcome and respected. The Freedom of Expression website supports that commitment. It offers resources and guidance to help everyone express their views, speak out on the issues that matter to them, and expand their understanding of the world. Visit this website to find information on:
- Freedom of Expression
- University space standards
- Elections and political activity guidelines
- Listen. Learn. Discuss., and navigating conflict
Visit the Freedom of Expression website
AI in academics
Ohio State is building one of the nation's most comprehensive artificial intelligence ecosystems, including a collaborative approach that strengthens the guidance and resources available to faculty and instructors.
Explore AI guidance and resources for instructors
Ohio State’s AI Fluency initiative is integrating AI into the undergraduate educational experience to ensure that every student will graduate being AI fluent — fluent in their field of study, and fluent in the application of AI in that field.
Religious accommodations
Ohio State has a longstanding practice of making reasonable academic accommodations for students’ religious beliefs and practices in accordance with applicable law.
Students must be in early communication with their instructors regarding any known accommodation requests for religious beliefs and practices, providing notice of specific dates for which they request alternative accommodations within 14 days after the first instructional day of the course. Instructors in turn shall not question the sincerity of a student’s religious or spiritual belief system in reviewing such requests and shall keep requests for accommodations confidential.
With sufficient notice, instructors will provide students with reasonable alternative accommodations with regard to examinations and other academic requirements with respect to students’ sincerely held religious beliefs and practices by allowing up to three absences each semester for the student to attend or participate in religious activities. Examples of religious accommodations can include, but are not limited to, rescheduling an exam, altering the time of a student’s presentation, allowing make-up assignments to substitute for missed class work, or flexibility in due dates or research responsibilities. If concerns arise about a requested accommodation, instructors are to consult their tenure-initiating unit head for assistance.
A student’s request for time off shall be provided if the student’s sincerely held religious belief or practice severely affects the student’s ability to take an exam or meet an academic requirement and the student has notified their instructor, in writing, during the first 14 days after the course begins, of the date of each absence. Although students are required to provide notice within the first 14 days after a course begins, instructors are strongly encouraged to work with the student to provide a reasonable accommodation if a request is made outside the notice period.
Religious holidays, holy days and observances
Duration of status ending, and its impact on international students and scholars
The Department of Homeland Security recently announced a final rule ending “duration of status,” which previously allowed those on F or J visas to remain in the United States as long as necessary to complete their academic program, practical training or research activity provided they continued to meet all immigration requirements. The final rule is set to take effect on September 15, 2026 and impacts how international students and exchange visitors are admitted into the United States, restricts changes to programs, and places limitations on the length of time they can stay in the United States. Information has been added to the Office of International Affairs website to help Ohio State students, faculty and staff better understand the implications of the new rule.
- Duration of Status final rule overview
- Frequently asked questions
- Information for international students
- Faculty and academic advisors
- Career advisors
- Human resources and employers
Best practices for supporting students with accommodations
Supporting Students with Disabilities: A Faculty Resource Guide offers practical tips, resources and examples to help faculty support all students with approved accommodations. The guide highlights inclusive teaching practices such as providing clear expectations, sharing materials in advance, offering multiple ways to participate and ensuring course materials are accessible. It also outlines best practices for implementing accommodations, maintaining confidentiality and collaborating with Student Life Disability Services. In addition, faculty can access support from Disability Services, the Drake Institute, Digital Accessibility Services and other campus partners.
Understanding the April 2027 accessibility requirement (ADA Title II)
The U.S. Department of Justice has announced a one‑year extension of the compliance deadline for the ADA Title II digital accessibility rule. For large public entities such as Ohio State, the enforcement date has been moved from April 24, 2026, to April 26, 2027.
While this extension offers institutional flexibility, it does not constitute a pause in the work but rather serves as a valuable opportunity to further integrate accessibility into everyday practices and to continue building a welcoming university.
During this extension period, departments and instructors should continue to focus on the following items:
- Review New Materials: Ensure all newly created files for upcoming semesters meet accessibility requirements. Visit the 3Rs Review Strategy page for more details.
- Audit Course Content: Use the Ally scanning tool in CarmenCanvas to prioritize the remediation of syllabi and foundational course documents.
- Utilize Support: Contact unit-level Digital Accessibility Coordinators for assistance with complex files, specialized tools and training for creating digitally accessible content for your research and courses. Login required to see list of coordinators.
Resources to support the transition to more accessible digital materials remain available through the ADA Digital Accessibility Center (DAC) and Digital Accessibility Services (DAS).
Improved curriculum management system
Ohio State launched CourseLeaf, the university's new curriculum management platform, which replaces the curriculum.osu.edu system. Developed in response to Faculty Senate's request for greater transparency in the curriculum proposal, review and approval process, CourseLeaf streamlines workflows and enhances the curriculum management experience for faculty and staff.
Wi-Fi updates
Ohio State is updating the security on eduroam Wi-Fi services. Faculty, staff and students should update their personal devices now to ensure uninterrupted access and avoid more frequent certificate security updates in the future. For MITS-managed devices, no action is required — IT will complete the update automatically. Requirements for other devices may vary by department. Visit the device-specific instructional guides to update before October, when devices that have not been updated will no longer connect to the university's wireless network.
Weather or other short-term closing
Following Policy 6.15 (Weather or Other Short-Term Closing), instructors are to notify students of alternative teaching methods when in-person classes are canceled. Alternative teaching methods can include virtual synchronous class meetings or asynchronous activities, including but not limited to videos, podcasts, supplemental readings, or discussion posts. It is at the discretion of the instructor as to which alternative method of teaching will occur when in-person classes have been canceled under the Weather or Other Short-Term Closing Policy. Instructors teaching multiple sections of the same course are to consult with their TIU head to ensure consistency with the course continuity plan. Instructors are to discuss their continuity plan with students and include language in their syllabus. Examples could include the following:
Should in-person classes be canceled, we will meet virtually via CarmenZoom during our regularly scheduled time. I will share any updates via [CarmenCanvas, email or other mode of communication].
OR
Should in-person classes be canceled, I will notify you as to which alternative methods of teaching will be offered to ensure continuity of instruction for this class. Communication will be via [CarmenCanvas, email or other mode of communication].
For faculty teaching online, you are encouraged to include the following: “Unless otherwise announced by the university, online or distance-learning classes will occur as scheduled.”