[Art-instructors] Welcome Back + Start of Semester Reminders

Tue Jan 6 08:58:43 EST 2026

Dear All,

Good morning and Happy New Year!
Please see the 'welcome back + start of the semester reminders' email below from Dr. Sara Scott Shields.

Kind regards,
Celeste

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Dear College of Fine Arts Faculty,
Welcome back and best wishes for the start of the spring semester. I don't know about you all, but reentry has been a real SLOG for me, so I hope you were able to find some time to rest and recharge over the break. I like to think having a hard time coming back to work means that you took the time you needed to disconnect and renew yourself!  As we get ready to welcome students back to our classrooms, I wanted to share a few important reminders and updates to help the semester start smoothly.
As usual, please be sure that your course syllabi are posted in Canvas prior to the first day of class. This remains an important part of setting clear expectations for students and ensuring they have access to essential course information from day one.
Later this semester access to SimpleSyllabus will open, and you will be asked to enter your syllabus information there as well. SimpleSyllabus is a platform intended to support consistency, accessibility, and institutional reporting. As most of you know, syllabi posting is going to shift with the introduction of SimpleSyllabus this Spring, so look out for additional details, timelines, and guidance once the portal opens. To support this transition, I will also be holding open lab times with hands-on support for anyone who would like help navigating SimpleSyllabus, transferring content, or asking questions about syllabus requirements.
A few additional reminders as you prepare for the start of the term on Wednesday:

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Please remember the university’s first-day attendance reporting requirement<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbulletin.fsu.edu%2Fpolicy%2Facad-regs%2Fattendance%23required-first-class-meeting-attendance-policy&data=05%7C02%7CArt-instructors%40lists.fsu.edu%7Ccbbdd4d68727437d107c08de4d2bb437%7Ca36450ebdb0642a78d1b026719f701e3%7C0%7C0%7C639033047251527592%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=49PDusvxGBekIr93rITiveUulbUCtJ4eJRkNEq7VcxU%3D&reserved=0>. Accurate attendance reporting is essential for enrollment verification and financial aid compliance. For steps on how to complete this click here<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsupport.canvas.fsu.edu%2Fkb%2Farticle%2F810-first-day-attendance-in-canvas%2F&data=05%7C02%7CArt-instructors%40lists.fsu.edu%7Ccbbdd4d68727437d107c08de4d2bb437%7Ca36450ebdb0642a78d1b026719f701e3%7C0%7C0%7C639033047260555272%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=tJmsysKnY%2BXbSUVfZKKNPM6hCL0k%2Bf%2BKGx8cQXICCWY%3D&reserved=0>.
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The first days of class set the tone for the semester. Clear expectations, transparent communication, and a welcoming, kind approach can go a long way in helping students feel supported and ready to engage.
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Double-check your Canvas course settings<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsupport.canvas.fsu.edu%2Fkb%2Farticle%2F781-how-to-build-your-new-canvas-course%2F&data=05%7C02%7CArt-instructors%40lists.fsu.edu%7Ccbbdd4d68727437d107c08de4d2bb437%7Ca36450ebdb0642a78d1b026719f701e3%7C0%7C0%7C639033047260576228%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=BrZ0Tt%2Fnssj%2B7eNwnuubRzirKIRk7R2b7gh0D8b0Yjo%3D&reserved=0>, published content, and course dates so students can easily navigate your course from the start. For help with creating your canvas check out this<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbbsupport.happyfox.com%2Fkb%2Farticle%2F773-getting-started-instructor-edition%2F&data=05%7C02%7CArt-instructors%40lists.fsu.edu%7Ccbbdd4d68727437d107c08de4d2bb437%7Ca36450ebdb0642a78d1b026719f701e3%7C0%7C0%7C639033047260595469%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Jrl6rSBKe7UQ6KKFWuAS6%2B4amHwcZ8v7pASQ4qk9xWo%3D&reserved=0> resource.
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Review your course policies around attendance, participation, grading, and academic integrity to ensure they are clear and aligned with your syllabus. Below are a few suggestions based on problems I saw emerge this past Fall:
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Attendance - Make explicit how attendance is tracked, what counts as an excused absence, how many absences (if any) impact grades, and how studio, rehearsal, lab, or critique-based absences are handled.
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Participation - Clearly define what participation looks like in your course. This might include preparation, engagement in discussion or critique, collaboration, studio work, peer feedback, or online activity. If participation affects grades, explain how it is assessed and how students can succeed.
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Grading and feedback - Ensure grading criteria, rubrics, and weighting of assignments are clearly stated and consistent across Canvas, the syllabus, and assignment descriptions. Let students know when and how they can expect feedback and how to ask questions about grades.
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Academic integrity - Review expectations around originality, citation, collaboration, use of AI or digital tools, and reuse of prior work. Make sure course-specific expectations are clearly stated and that students know where to find guidance if they are unsure.
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If you have students with Incompletes from previous semesters, please review those agreements now. Some Incompletes may be approaching their expiration this term, and early communication with students can help avoid unintended grade changes.
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If you have any enrollment, modality, or scheduling concerns, please reach out to your unit leadership so you can work through issues together.

Thank you, as always, for the care, creativity, and commitment you bring to your teaching. The work you do in studios, classrooms, rehearsal spaces, and online environments makes a meaningful difference for our students, and I’m grateful to be working alongside you. I'll be on campus Wednesdays and Thursdays starting next week, so please reach out if you need anything!!
Wishing you a great start to the semester, and please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions.
All best,

-Sara*

[photo]
Sara Scott Shields, PhD
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Professor, Art Education
850-645-2247
skshields at fsu.edu<mailto:skshields at fsu.edu>
civicarted.com<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcivicarted.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7CArt-instructors%40lists.fsu.edu%7Ccbbdd4d68727437d107c08de4d2bb437%7Ca36450ebdb0642a78d1b026719f701e3%7C0%7C0%7C639033047260616729%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=EBufftK6sLfgYuMmMIBsOxE1z%2Fg6lPVo94CHkyG4wTk%3D&reserved=0> <https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcivicarted.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7CArt-instructors%40lists.fsu.edu%7Ccbbdd4d68727437d107c08de4d2bb437%7Ca36450ebdb0642a78d1b026719f701e3%7C0%7C0%7C639033047260636691%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=TYYuy696IfeDq%2FmaY5iOQBiiy636gc68ZIoES4t6fNE%3D&reserved=0>
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[cid:078b310c-3af8-4d41-bd2e-b3c2fbe4a788]<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Foutlook.office.com%2Fbookwithme%2Fuser%2F427de89e236a45f58d5ae79eb3d5fdf9%40fsu.edu%3Fanonymous%26ep%3Dsignature&data=05%7C02%7CArt-instructors%40lists.fsu.edu%7Ccbbdd4d68727437d107c08de4d2bb437%7Ca36450ebdb0642a78d1b026719f701e3%7C0%7C0%7C639033047260674855%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=F3%2FevfO4np%2BlAKXeftZKnk1bW61vT1v3k%2F%2BTHNm5pHw%3D&reserved=0>

Book time to meet with me<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Foutlook.office.com%2Fbookwithme%2Fuser%2F427de89e236a45f58d5ae79eb3d5fdf9%40fsu.edu%3Fanonymous%26ep%3Dsignature&data=05%7C02%7CArt-instructors%40lists.fsu.edu%7Ccbbdd4d68727437d107c08de4d2bb437%7Ca36450ebdb0642a78d1b026719f701e3%7C0%7C0%7C639033047260692279%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=pnzI43Fju4GcfzGFbh0A07hSz8LoR3X0HG4NlwoIDO8%3D&reserved=0>

*to maintain productivity and focus I try to only check email around 9am | 4pm
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