CLAS UP and UEPCC have been working with students for some time to identify the information they find most useful as they plan schedules and select courses, and these conversations inform the guidance and templates CLAS UP provides for General Catalog and MyUI course descriptions, ICON sites, and course syllabi. This work also frequently complements our ongoing efforts to improve the digital accessibility of our courses. Furthermore, the Iowa Board of Regents recently made some updates to BOR Policy 3.20 to require specific information about each undergraduate course to be made publicly available, starting in fall 2026.

With all of these factors in mind, we have updated the CLAS Syllabus Template for the 2026-2027 academic year. The updated template is available now on the CLAS Resource site, subject to change in summer 2026. We are hopeful that providing this information and template now will allow enough time for instructors to work on fall 2026 syllabi as time allows. Although instructors are not required to use the latest template for spring 2026 courses, we encourage you to consider using it early, and we welcome your questions and feedback in advance of fall implementation.

What changed

The CLAS Syllabus Template now begins with the five pieces of information that will be made publicly available about each course beginning in fall 2026: 

• the course title and number
• the MyUI course description, including learning objectives
• a general outline of the topics to be covered throughout the course
• a list of required textbooks, readings, and other materials necessary for the course
• a general description of the types of assessments used in the course

During Spring 2026, you’ll be hearing from more about the logistics of getting this additional syllabus information into MAUI; for now please know that the processes that have been developed will minimize work for instructors and departments.

The CLAS Syllabus Resources document also now includes more details and linked resources related to these elements. We particularly recommend the Center for Teaching’s materials on syllabus design and use, course goals and objectives, backward course design, and transparent teaching.

The 2026-2027 template is also accessible to screen readers, as the 2025-2026 one was, and it includes the most recent versions of the information required and recommended by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost.