Overview
The Stay Safe Pledge calls for everyone to contribute to the health and wellbeing of the campus community during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Pledge asks that students wear a mask or other face covering while on campus, maintain six feet of distance from others wherever possible, and avoid attending class or participating in campus activities when feeling unwell, among other expectations.
Faculty and teaching assistants are responsible for classroom management and play a key role in ensuring that these protocols are observed in their instructional spaces. Setting clear expectations and working with students to maintain safe practices in the classroom are essential to the University’s goal of sustaining the health and wellbeing of the entire campus community.
Setting Expectations in the Classroom
The University will broadly communicate the Stay Safe Pledge through multiple channels to the entire University community, including students, faculty, staff and parents. The following recommendations are provided to faculty to help make students aware of expectations in the classroom and other instructional spaces:
- Instructors are encouraged to add a statement to their syllabi stating that all students are expected to comply with the Stay Safe Pledge, and that students who do not comply may not attend class. The statement below may be used. Additional guidance on other COVID-related matters may be found on the Syllabus Reminders page at the Provost Office web site.
Syracuse University’s Stay Safe Pledge reflects the high value that we, as a university community, place on the well-being of our community members. This pledge defines norms for behavior that will promote community health and wellbeing. Classroom expectations include the following: wearing a mask that covers the nose and mouth at all times, maintaining a distance of six feet from others, and staying away from class if you feel unwell. Students who do not follow these norms will not be allowed to continue in face-to-face classes; repeated violations will be treated as violations of the Code of Student Conduct and may result in disciplinary action.
- In the first class meeting, consider displaying the Stay Safe Pledge (both in the classroom and for those participating virtually). Emphasize to students that the purpose of the Pledge and its elements is the health and safety of the campus community. Also, point out that the ability of the University to engage in residential education was predicated on the implementation of these safeguards. By observing the Pledge, students are ensuring that the University remains in compliance with State and local laws and can remain open. Please be sure to underscore those elements of the Pledge that are particularly relevant to your instructional space, such as:
- wearing a mask over both the nose and mouth,
- maintaining six feet of distance from others,
- sitting in chairs that have been marked as available and avoiding those that are unavailable, and
- cleaning any work surfaces (e.g., lab benches, studio areas, tablet arm desks, computer workstations, production equipment, musical instruments) when they arrive in the classroom.
- In the first class meeting, articulate potential consequences for students who do not comply with elements of the Pledge. For example, “If you show up to class without a mask, you will be asked to put one on.” “If you repeatedly violate these expectations, you will not be permitted to attend class in person.”
Managing Expectations Throughout the Semester
Instructors are encouraged to use their best judgment in handling situations in which students are violating elements of the Stay Safe Pledge in the classroom. Each situation is different, and the guidance that follows is a collection of suggestions, meant to stimulate your thinking, not as a script that must be followed.
When students fail to adhere to the norms outlined in the Pledge, faculty and TAs should initially assume that it is an honest mistake. Instructors may wish to use language such as the following:
“I see that you are not wearing a mask. Did you forget it today? I have some extras here, and you are free to take one to wear today.”
If a student continues to refuse to wear a mask, the instructor may wish to continue the conversation outside the classroom, to avoid a confrontation in front of the rest of the class. The instructor may say something like this:
“You’re refusing to wear a mask. Can you help me to understand that choice?”
If the student persists in refusing to wear a mask, the instructor can say something like:
“I’m sorry that you are having this experience/feeling this way, yet we still need to work together to keep everyone safe. If you choose not to wear a mask today, you are choosing not to come to class today. You are welcome to return when you wear a mask.”
Instructors may elect to consider such a dismissal from class as an absence for grading purposes. This policy, if applied, should be articulated in the syllabus. Needless to say, it is essential that any such sanctions be enforced uniformly.
Managing Especially Difficult Behavior
In most cases, students will comply with your request. However, in the case that a student becomes confrontational, consider the following possibilities:
- If one or more students become disruptive or argumentative, the instructor might speak with the student(s) outside of the classroom in order to avoid a public confrontation. The instructor may wish to begin by asking about the root of the behavior. The simple question “Are you OK?” can provide the student(s) space to reflect on their actions and potentially to make better behavioral choices. The instructor can reiterate the value to the campus community of complying with the expectations.
If the student(s) persist in refusing to comply with classroom safety expectations, the instructor should offer the option to engage in the course virtually. The instructor can also offer the services of the Barnes Center at The Arch if students need to discuss the issues that are preventing them from complying with campus safety guidelines.
If the student(s) continue being disruptive or argumentative, the instructor can remind the student(s) that failure to comply with the Pledge is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct and the student could face conduct charges for violating the Code.
- If one or more students become so disruptive that the instructor is unable to teach the class, but do not exhibit directly threatening behavior, the instructor may consider dismissing the class. If this happens, the instructor should contact the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities for guidance on filing conduct charges against the student(s) who created this level of disruption.
- If a student is belligerent or becomes aggressive in a way that suggests a direct threat, the instructor should call the Department of Public Safety for immediate assistance.
Resources
Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, Dr. Martha Diede, Director, 315.443.1086 or madiede@syr.edu
Office of the Dean of Students, Dr. Marianne Thomson, AVP and Dean of Students, 315.443.4357 or dos@syr.edu
Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, Sheriah Dixon, Director, 315.443.3728 or studentconduct@syr.edu
Department of Public Safety, 315.443.2224