#  Setting Course Policies that Center Academics 

 



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According to the Classroom Social Compact Committee Report, “Academic excellence requires students to participate in a thoughtful, candid, and free exchange of ideas. A successful classroom depends on student attendance, attentiveness, and active intellectual engagement” (CSCC Report 2025, 14). To support this objective, the Bok Center recommends that all faculty have clear course policies regarding attendance and participation, the use of digital devices in the classroom, and clear guidelines for the use of Generative AI. Focusing on policies may seem pedantic, but our students are asking for an [intellectually vital](https://intellectualvitality.college.harvard.edu/) learning experience that can best be achieved when we do what we can to ensure they are present and prepared.

**Expect Students to Be Present and to Participate in Class**: [Attendance Policies](https://bokcenter.harvard.edu/attendance-policies) should convey clear expectations to students regarding both attendance and participation in all class meetings. Expectations for [tracking and evaluating attendance and participation](https://bokcenter.harvard.edu/assessing-class-participation) should be clearly communicated to your students and your teaching team. HUIT has collected a list of [methods and tools for taking attendance](https://atg.fas.harvard.edu/attendance-tracking) in high-enrollment classes.

**Limit Student Use of Internet-Enabled Devices in Classes**: Instructors should [limit or prohibit student use of internet-enabled devices](https://bokcenter.harvard.edu/technology-policies) except when students are explicitly directed to use them as part of a course activity. Although some students initially are hesitant, in general, students have overwhelmingly supported policies that limit and prohibit device use during class, reporting that they welcome the opportunity to focus on the class and engage productively with their classmates.

**Have a Clear Generative AI Policy**: Whether you welcome or discourage student use of generative AI in your course, you can help students navigate generative AI with confidence and integrity by providing clear guidelines and open communication. Our resources on [AI Literacy and Ethics](https://bokcenter.harvard.edu/ai-literacy-and-ethics) can support you in generating an AI policy that is in alignment with your course learning objectives. The OUE provides [Guidance on Generative AI](https://oue.fas.harvard.edu/faculty-resources/generative-ai-guidance/), and The Bok Center’s [Illustrated Rubric for Syllabus Statements on Generative AI](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-9CqpH4Hs-EIDJzo85tVtzmHivM2qO74w0-KuIJVb6E/edit?tab=t.0) provides examples that you can use in your own syllabus.

**Follow Through on Implementing Policies:** Take some time to talk about your policies in class, particularly at moments when a particular policy applies to an activity or an assignment.