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 centralized, accessible platform for managing course syllabi. Simple Syllabus integrates with Canvas, letting faculty quickly create and publish 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.
Features at a Glance
- 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.
Together, these features make Simple Syllabus a powerful tool for streamlining course preparation, ensuring consistency across the university, and giving students clear, accessible information from day one.
Who is required to use it?
All instructors teaching credit-bearing courses at UNF will use Simple Syllabus for course materials attestations and syllabus submission beginning Spring 2026. (Syllabi posting is governed by Florida Board of Governors’ Regulation 8.003 and UNF Regulation 2.0800P. )
Accessing Simple Syllabus
- From Canvas: Best if you want to edit the syllabus for a single course. After logging into Canvas, open your course and select Simple Syllabus from the Canvas course navigation menu. (If it isn’t visible, enable it under Settings → Navigation.)
- From the Simple Syllabus Website: Best if you want to manage multiple syllabi, or copy syllabi from one cross-listed course to another. Log in to unf.simplesyllabus.com with your UNF credentials, then open the Dashboard to see all your syllabi in one place.
Faculty Resources
Canvas LTI App Page
Faculty QuickStart Guide
Administrator GuideEvents & Trainings
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
What if I don't see "Simple Syllabus" in my Canvas navigation menu?
You’ll need to enable it: go to Settings → Navigation in your course, find Simple Syllabus in the disabled list, drag it into the visible menu (or click “Enable”), then Save. After that, it should show in the menu.
-
How do assignments or due dates work; do I have to retype them?
Simple Syllabus can sync certain assignment data from Canvas. But changes to due dates, names, or grading must be made in Canvas first, and then refreshed/synced in Simple Syllabus.
-
What is the “Submit” button is disabled or grayed out?
That usually means one or more required components haven’t been completed yet. Check for red-boxed or highlighted areas, fill them in, make sure to check the attestation statement at the bottom of the syllabus, and then the “Submit” button should become active.
-
Can I edit my syllabus after it’s been published?
Yes, you can open the syllabus, make changes, and republish. The updated version replaces the old one for students (Students will always see the most recently published version in Canvas.)