Simple Syllabus Faculty Support
As part of UNF’s commitment to enhancing the student learning experience and improving academic transparency, the university is implementing Simple Syllabus, a centralized, accessible platform for managing course syllabi. For more information, visit the project webpage.
This page serves as a centralized hub for UNF faculty to access guidance, tools, and support for creating, managing, and publishing course syllabi using Simple Syllabus and Canvas.
Getting Started
What is Simple Syllabus?
Simple Syllabus is a syllabus management tool that works with Canvas, letting faculty quickly create and publish uniform syllabi. It features auto-populated institutional policies, catalog details, and instructor info from Banner, while allowing customization of course policies, schedules, and materials. Course schedules can sync assignments and due dates from Canvas, and finalized syllabi are automatically published and linked in Canvas.
Using Simple Syllabus
- Customize and Publish: Tailor and release your course syllabi via Canvas or the Simple Syllabus dashboard.
- Effortless Duplication: Easily copy content across course sections or semesters.
- Track Engagement: Monitor if students have read the syllabus.
- Maintain Autonomy: Allow college leaders and administrators to manage institutional standards across all syllabi using the tiered syllabus template while faculty maintain control of their course section content.
Who is required to use it?
All instructors teaching credit-bearing courses at UNF will use Simple Syllabus beginning Spring 2026.
Faculty Resources
Guides and Documentation
Simple Syllabus is currently being implemented at UNF, and faculty-specific guides will be available soon. In the meantime, you can click here to learn more about the Canvas LTI integration, or click here to watch an introductory video from the Simple Syllabus publisher.
Training and Support
Virtual and in-person sessions will be scheduled soon. Please check the CIRT Events page for updates.
Contact CIRT for More Information
Email: cirtlab@unf.edu
Phone: (904) 620-3927
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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Do I still need to upload a PDF syllabus to Canvas or the syllabus repository?
No. Simple Syllabus is the new UNF repository, and once your syllabus is published it is automatically linked in your Canvas course and accessible to students.
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Can I reuse content from previous syllabi?
Yes. You can import content from past courses and make updates as needed. -
Can I customize the syllabus format?
While the structure is standardized to meet institutional and accreditation requirements, you have full control over your course-specific content. -
Are there required elements in the syllabus?
Yes. Certain components—such as course objectives, course materials, and grading procedures—are required by University policy and will be clearly indicated in the template. -
Can students access syllabi before the semester begins?
Yes. Once published, syllabi are accessible through Canvas and the university’s centralized syllabus repository. -
Is Simple Syllabus accessible to students with disabilities?
Yes. The platform is fully ADA-compliant and mobile-friendly. -
What information is pre-populated in Simple Syllabus?
The following information is pre-populated in Simple Syllabus from Banner and the UNF Catalog and cannot be edited: term, title, CRN, meeting times and place, delivery method, credit hours, catalog description and learning outcomes, and instructor information. Instructors can add section-specific course descriptions and learning outcomes.
Additionally, these institutional policy statements are pre-loaded in Simple Syllabus but may be turned off using the visibility toggle: Academic Integrity Statement, Accessibility Statement, Academic Resources, Experiential Learning, Title IX statement, Campus Safety Statement.
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What if I want to add other information?
Instructors can add additional sections to their syllabi and reorder most components. -
What do the Visibility and Public/Private toggles do?
The Visibility Toggle ensures that students can see a section of your syllabus. Sections required by UNF policy are always visible.
Once you submit your Simple Syllabus, the syllabus will be searchable if public. To keep specific elements private from non-students, ensure that Private is toggled on for those sections.