Spring 2025
The Office of Academic Affairs is sharing resources and support to assist all Ohio State faculty and instructors during the spring semester.
Religious accommodations
Ohio State has had 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.
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.”
Free speech, academic freedom and freedom of expression
Ohio State is steadfastly committed to protecting the First Amendment right to free speech, academic freedom, and freedom of expression on its campuses. The Campus Free Speech Policy, adopted in May 2023, supports this commitment.
Ohio State believes in academic freedom where the exchange of ideas by students and instructors creates a campus environment where all viewpoints are welcome and respected. In accordance with university rules, faculty have the freedom to discuss in classrooms, in their own manner, material that is relevant to the subject matter as defined in the course syllabus. At the same time, they have responsibility to encourage free discussion and inquiry, and students must be given a broad latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, learn and discuss in classrooms and learning spaces.
Freedom of expression is also central to our values as an institution of higher education. Ohio State supports the rights of its students, faculty, staff, volunteers, visitors, community partners and program participants to exercise their freedom of speech and expression in a way that is lawful, respectful and productive. The university encourages everyone to participate in public discourse and exercise their democratic rights through voting, advocacy and civic engagement.
The Freedom of Expression website is an online hub for support resources, policies and other information to help everyone participate in public discourse and exercise their rights. It includes Ohio State's University Space Standards, updated with input from students, faculty and staff to improve clarity and add detail. The website also now includes more comprehensive information about reserving space and better connects to relevant support and policy resources.
To maintain neutrality that assures academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression, Ohio State refrains from taking institutional positions on matters that extend beyond the university. When statements are issued, the university uses a framework to evaluate making institutional and leadership statements to ensure decisions are made based on consistent factors.
University employees are encouraged to fully and freely express their personal opinions regarding political candidates, issues, local, state and national programs, initiatives and referendums. However, as employees of a public institution there are restrictions on exercising these rights in a manner that suggests university endorsement of a cause or candidate. Restriction details are explained in the university's political activity guidelines.
Listen. Learn. Discuss.
At Ohio State, one thing we all have in common is that we chose to be part of this community. We can use this common ground to engage with each other in a respectful and caring way even — and especially — when we disagree. Listen. Learn. Discuss. is a developing Ohio State initiative that will help students, faculty and staff draw connections and form skills to create a wide, but still nimble, path that teaches and promotes more productive and respectful dialogue. We expect members of our communities to create an environment where trust and respectful dialogue are the expectation — not the exception.
The Listen. Learn. Discuss. website serves as a centralized online resource for courses, workshops, and events that give the university community opportunities to navigate difficult conversations, whenever and wherever challenging conversations take place — in the classroom, on the Oval, or in the workplace. The website includes an event calendar, through which university community members can submit opportunities related to the topic or the practice of civil discourse.
Navigating Conflict in the classroom
Navigating Conflict: A Toolkit for Instructors — instructional resources prepared by the Michael V. Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning. The Drake Institute supports all university instructors through its programming and resources, which include instructional consultations available to all who would like to discuss ideas, questions, challenges and concerns around teaching.
Managing Conflict in the Classroom — a guide, provided by the Teaching and Learning Resource Center, focusing on classroom conflicts that involve offensive or disrespectful statements or actions towards individuals or groups of people, and that disrupt the effectiveness and safety of the learning environment.
Duty to report
Learn about your required duty to report incidents as an Ohio State employee. Note that all employers must report incidents of sexual assault immediately, and in addition, all university faculty must also report all incidents of discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct and prohibited relationships.
Incorporating generative artificial intelligence (AI) into your work
Ohio State’s AI website – ai.osu.edu – provides useful information on what the university is doing and how faculty and instructors might use AI in their own work and classes. As a collaborative effort of several departments across the university, the site is a central point for faculty and instructors to find helpful information from the Committee on Academic Misconduct, the Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning (GenAI syllabus statements), and the Teaching and Learning Resource Center. It also offers links to training via BuckeyeLearn to help faculty and staff get acquainted with generative AI.
Excused absences for short-term illness
Especially during the winter months, please consider not requiring medical documentation for an excused absence from class for a short-term illness. Most cases of the flu and other respiratory illnesses do not require medical consultation but can be managed effectively with over-the-counter medication and rest. Requiring medical documentation can unintentionally encourage students to attend class even when they are ill.
Additional resources for undergraduate classes
The Office of Undergraduate Education provides additional reminders and resources for undergraduate class instructors.
Thank you for your commitment to serving our students and campus communities.