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UNF Syllabi

What is Simple Syllabus?

Simple Syllabus is UNF’s centralized platform to simplify syllabus creation and unify repository and course materials attestation processes for faculty. By replacing legacy systems and manual workflows, this platform reduces the time and effort required to manage syllabi and course materials attestations—freeing faculty to focus on teaching and research.

Syllabi posting is governed by Florida Statute 1004.085, Florida Board of Governors’ Regulation 8.003, and UNF Regulation 2.0800P. To streamline this process, UNF is implementing Simple Syllabus—a unified platform that integrates directly with Canvas. This tool makes it easier for faculty to post, manage, and update syllabi, ensuring compliance with state policies while enhancing the overall experience for both instructors and students.



Simple Syllabus Logo
example image of simple syllabus, UNF Syllabi

Why Simple Syllabus?

  • Centralized, template-driven platform that enables instructors to quickly personalize and publish interactive class syllabi directly within Canvas.  
  • Integrated course materials attestation feature. 
  • Course details are conveniently imported from Banner, saving instructors valuable time. 
  • Integrated course schedule can import assignments from Canvas and sync due dates. 
  • Updates to standard institutional policies are managed centrally, making it easy to keep information current. 
  • Dynamic syllabus templates can be tailored to department and college needs. 
  • Helps create a consistent experience for students.   
  • Automates syllabus repository submissions. 
  • Tracking and reporting platform for accreditation, syllabus publishing, and course materials attestation requirements. 
  • ADA-compliant formatting for all published syllabi. 

The Project Team

The faculty and staff working to implement Simple Syllabus at UNF represent a variety of departments from across the campus. If you have any questions about the project, please contact the lead team member of the corresponding project area below.

  • Project Sponsor | Dr. Karen Patterson, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs
  • Project Co-Sponsor | Dr. John Kantner, Senior Associate Provost for Faculty Success
  • Project Manager | Dr. Deb Miller, Assistant Vice-President, Digital Learning & Innovation
  • Faculty Representative | Dr. Mike Binder
  • Faculty Representative | Dr. Samantha Brown
  • General Education | Dr. Linda Howell
  • Office of Faculty Excellence | Dr. Juliana Leding
  • CIRT | Dr. Michael Russo
  • ITS | April Johnson
  • ITS | Kendall Wheeler
  • Student Success | Dr. Erin Richman
  • Office of Institutional Effectiveness | Dr. Candice Veilleux-Mesa
  • Registrar’s Office | Jillian Gooding
  • Financial Aid | Jessica Phillips

Project Timeline

Event Date
Project Kickoff June 2025
Configuration July – August 2025
Gen Ed Pilot Fall Semester
Training for Faculty and Staff To be announced
Campus Launch for Syllabi Collection and Course Materials Attestation October 2025

How will Simple Syllabus affect me?

  • Faculty
    • Faculty will create their syllabus in a central platform without managing multiple versions of Word documents. 
    • Email reminders are sent based on specific publication deadlines. 
    • Syllabus submissions and course materials attestations will occur on the same platform.  
  • Students
    • All syllabi are available in one place for students. 
    • Institutional policy language is consistent across syllabi.  
  • Deans/Chairs
    • Can insert college, department, or program information, such as accreditation requirements, into customized templates 
    • View hierarchical reports on syllabus publication and course materials attestations.  
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • How does Simple Syllabus help me as a faculty member?
    It streamlines the syllabus creation and management process for faculty and reduces the need to manage the syllabus repository and course materials attestations in separate legacy systems.
  • How much time will it take me to use Simple Syllabus?
    Initially, faculty may spend a bit more time to transition to the new system. However, after the first semester, Simple Syllabus will save time by copying syllabi forward and prepopulating course information, meeting locations and times, and standard language for institutional policy statements.
  • How does Simple Syllabus help my students?
    Simple Syllabus supports student success by providing consistent, accessible course information. With clear expectations and centralized resources and institutional policy statements, students can engage more confidently and stay on track. Additionally, all published syllabi, whether web, mobile, or PDF versions, are ADA-compliant, ensuring accessibility.
  • Can I still customize my syllabus?
    Yes. While some course information and institutional policies will be pre-populated, you can personalize course-specific content within the template.
  • Will I need to learn a new system?
    Training and support will be provided, and the interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, with deep Canvas integration.
  • Can I just import my existing syllabus?
    No. Simple Syllabus is a form-based system. You can copy and paste your existing content into Simple Syllabus, and once created, syllabi can be copied forward to future terms.
  • How do course materials attestations work in Simple Syllabus?
    The course materials attestation is presented at the point of syllabus publication.
  • Who can view the published syllabi?
    Access to syllabi is determined by the permission settings. All Gen Ed courses will automatically be visible to the general public as required by state law and UNF policy. Other syllabi will only be visible to students enrolled in the course and administrators unless published by the instructor.
  • Are published syllabi ADA compliant for students?
    Yes. All published syllabi, whether web, mobile, or PDF versions, are ADA-compliant, ensuring accessibility for students with disabilities.
  • How do I access Simple Syllabus? 
    Simple Syllabus can be accessed either through each course in Canvas or via the Simple Syllabus website.
  • What about the Syllabus tool already in Canvas?
    The Simple Syllabus link will replace that tool, which will no longer be visible in the course.