How was Simple Syllabus selected?

Purdue launched a competitive bid process for a system-wide syllabus management tool in October of 2025. Instructors across all campuses were invited to review recordings and provide feedback on the proposed solutions. This process ensured that the chosen solution meets the diverse instructional needs across Purdue West Lafayette and Indianapolis locations, Purdue Fort Wayne, and Purdue Northwest. 

Am I required to use Simple Syllabus?

Yes. Beginning in Fall 2026, all Purdue Fort Wayne credit-bearing courses must have a syllabus submitted through Simple Syllabus through Brightspace.

When am I expected to submit/publish my syllabus?

Instructors are expected to make their syllabus available to students by the first class meeting (or the first day of the course for online courses) so that students understand the course expectations from the start of the semester. Instructors may continue to revise and finalize their syllabus based on initial class discussions or other course considerations. The syllabus should be finalized by the Friday of the first week of classes.

Is Simple Syllabus aligned with the ADA Title II accessibility requirements?

Yes.  Simple Syllabus provides instructors with a built-in accessibility checker that will prompt you to resolve any issues detected prior to publishing your syllabus.   

Do I need to upload my syllabus anywhere else?

No. Simple Syllabus will replace the former Course Insights workflow. 

Can colleges and/or departments add required language to the syllabus template for their unit?

Not at this time. Any language required by individual units should be communicated directly to instructors. 

How to address the accessibility issues for the table I copy and pasted from a Word document?

The Table tool in Simple Syllabus can be hard to use. Please see the short video on Table Tool Tricks.

Why is the Simple Syllabus Preview not loading?

Some instructors have experienced an issue where the Preview does not load and displays a continuous loading wheel. In some cases, switching to a different web browser or computer has resolved the issue. 

How can I add information that is not included in the Simple Syllabus template?

If you need to include course-specific information that does not have a designated section in the Simple Syllabus template, use Add a New Component to create an additional section. You can also use the Recorder feature to add content that needs to appear separately from the existing template sections. This can be useful for cross-listed courses when additional course numbers, learning outcomes, requirements, or other information need to be included. Check the instructor guide on this page for more details.

How can I download a published syllabus?

After your syllabus has been published, click the option button by the Edit button on the top right corner. You can choose to Print, Download, or share the published syllabus.

Why am I unable to edit several sections of the syllabus?

A: The course description or learning outcomes were imported from the catalog and cannot be edited directly in Simple Syllabus. If they are inaccurate or outdated, please follow your department and college curriculum review process to request a revision. Please contact the Registrar’s office ([email protected]) or Terri Swim ([email protected]) for guidance on submitting a proposal in Curriculog.

The university policy sections are preset for accuracy and consistency. If you want to add personal language, you can use the "Add new component" and "Reorder" feature to provide statements that complement these policies, and you can also reorder sections to best align with your communication style and preferences. 

Can I assign someone to create the course syllabus on my behalf?

No. Only individuals listed as the "instructor of record" for the course can “Edit and Submit” the course syllabus. Individuals added to the course as an Instructor, TA, Grader, Course Builder, SI Tutor, or Read Only Course Copy via the Brightspace Enrollment Manager tool can “View” the course syllabus once it has been submitted by the instructor(s) of record.

Where can I check the Public-facing syllabus?

Go to Purdue Fort Wayne Library page to view all public-facing syllabi. Go to Purdue System Library page to view public-facing syllabi for all Purdue campuses.

Why do I receive an error message when accessing Simple Syllabus within Brightspace?

You might receive an error message for the following reasons.

1. You accessed the Simple Syllabus from the course navigation bar within a DEV or noncredit course, you will receive an error message that the section could not be located. This is accurate and expected behavior. 
2. You have not accessed Brightspace course for two years. This is due to the Simple Syllabus technical setting and is an expected behavior. Solution: Log in to Brightspace at least once. Then, return the next day and try again.

If you receive the error in a credit-bearing course, please Submit a Ticket.