2026-2027 COURSE SYLLABI STATEMENTS
Contents:
| Intellectual Exchange | Campus Concealed Carry |
| Disabilities | COVID-19 |
| Non-Discrimination | |
Intellectual Exchange
In South Plains College courses, the instructor will establish and support an environment that values and nurtures individual and group difference and encourages engagement and interaction. Understanding and respecting multiple experiences and perspectives will serve to challenge and stimulate all of us to learn about others, about the larger world and about ourselves. By promoting intellectual exchange, we will not only mirror society as it is, but also model society as it should and can be.
Disabilities
Students with disabilities, including but not limited to physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations should notify the Disability Services Office early in the semester so that the appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal law, a student requesting accommodations must provide acceptable documentation of the individual's disability to the Disability Services Office. For more information, call or visit the Disability Services Office at Levelland (Student Health & Wellness Office) 806-716-2577, Lubbock and other centers (located at the Lubbock Downtown Center) 806-716-4675.
Non-Discrimination
South Plains College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Vice President for Student Affairs, South Plains College, 1401 College Avenue, Box 5, Levelland, TX 79336. Phone number 806-716-2360.
Title IX Pregnancy and Parenting Accommodations (Rev. 6/11/2024)
If you are pregnant or parenting (paternal or maternal) with children under the age of 18 per Texas Education Code 51.982 and Title IX you have a right to reasonable accommodations to help continue your education. To activate accommodations you must submit a Title IX pregnancy and parenting accommodations request, along with specific medical documentation, to the Health and Wellness Center. Once approved, notification will be sent to the student and instructors. It is the student’s responsibility to work with the instructor to arrange accommodations. Contact the Health and Wellness Center at 806-716-2529 or email rcanon@southplainscollege.edu for assistance.
CARE (Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation) Team
South Plains College is committed to ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of its students and community. To support its campus community SPC has a CARE Team. This is a dedicated group of campus professionals responsible for assessing and responding to students who could benefit from academic, emotional, or psychological support, as well as those presenting risk to the health or safety of the community. If you see someone experiencing challenges, appearing distressed, posing a threat to their safety or someone else’s safety, or causing a significant disruption to the SPC community, please submit a CARE Team referral. You may also submit a referral for yourself if you would like additional support. NOTE: In cases where a person’s behavior poses an imminent threat to you or another, contact 911.
Campus Concealed Carry
Texas Government Code 411.2031, et al. authorizes the carrying of a concealed handgun in South Plains College buildings only by persons who have been issued and are in possession of a Texas License to Carry a Handgun. Qualified law enforcement officers or those who are otherwise authorized to carry a concealed handgun in the State of Texas are also permitted to do so. Pursuant to Penal Code (PC) 46.035 and South Plains College policy, license holders may not carry a concealed handgun in restricted locations. For a list of locations and Frequently Asked Questions, please refer to the Campus Carry page at: http://www.southplainscollege.edu/campuscarry.php
Pursuant to PC 46.035, the open carrying of handguns is prohibited on all South Plains College campuses. Report violations to the College Police Department at 806-716-2396 or 9-1-1.
COVID-19 (Rev. 7/15/2026)
To prevent virus spread on campus, please do not attend class and either seek medical attention or get tested for COVID-19.
Please also notify DeEtte Edens, FNP-C, Associate Director of Health & Wellness, at dedens@southplainscollege.edu or 806-716-2376
- SPC will follow the recommended 3-day isolation period for individuals that test positive.
- Please note that day 0 is the date of positive test. Day 1 begins the first full day after the date of positive result.
- COVID reporting
- Please have students and employees notify DeEtte Edens, FNP-C if they have tested positive to verify dates before returning to class or work.
- The home tests are sufficient, but students need to submit a photo of the positive result. If tested elsewhere (clinic, pharmacy, etc.), please submit a copy of the doctor’s note or email notification. Results may be emailed to DeEtte Edens, FNP-C at dedens@southplainscollege.edu.
- A student is clear to return to class without further assessment if they have completed:
- The 3-day isolation period, symptoms have improved and
- they are afebrile for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.
- HEATH SCIENCE PROGRAMS ONLY: Due to clinical requirements, students in health science programs returning to class or clinical from a positive test will be required to wear a mask in the health sciences areas including offices, hallways, and classrooms, as well as in the clinical setting for a 10-day period from date of positive test.
- Please instruct students and employees to communicate with DeEtte Edens prior to their return date if still symptomatic at the end of the 3-day isolation.
- Exposed individuals will not be required to quarantine. If exposed, SPC does request individuals closely monitor themselves. If an individual does become symptomatic, please do not attend class or work and be tested.
Student Identification Verification Pictures
In order to comply with institutional identity-verification procedures, students enrolled in courses at South Plains College must have a current photo available in the College’s student information system. Approved photos are used solely for instructional, advising, and security purposes and are protected under applicable privacy laws. Students without a photo on file must update their record during the first week of class.
Pictures may be uploaded using these instructions.
Artificial Intelligence
Purpose of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications:
AI applications are advanced language models designed to aid and engage in meaningful
conversations, as well as, generate and revise content. AI is intended to supplement
learning, stimulate critical thinking, and enhance academic discourse. However, its
use comes with certain responsibilities.
Academic Integrity:
Using AI to generate academic work, including essays, reports, or assignments, without
proper attribution is a violation of SPC academic integrity policies. Plagiarism undermines
the learning process and is strictly prohibited. Students must ensure that their work
reflects their own ideas, research, synthesis, and analysis and appropriately cites
all sources, including AI.
Collaboration and Consultation:
While AI can be a valuable resource, it is essential to strike a balance between seeking
assistance and maintaining personal responsibility. Collaboration with peers, consulting
instructors, and utilizing other approved learning resources should be prioritized.
Overreliance on AI for solutions without actively engaging in the learning process
is discouraged and can be grounds for academic integrity violations. Utilizing AI
as a tool for brainstorming or research is allowed but the writing should be the student’s
own work and thoughts.
Critical Thinking and Originality:
AI usage can provide suggestions and information, but it is essential to critically
evaluate the responses and exercise independent thought. Relying solely on AI for
answers deprives students of the opportunity to develop their analytical and problem-solving
skills. In assignments where originality, creativity, and independent thinking are
valued, AI would be detrimental to the student learning process. Critical thinking
and originality emphasize the importance of independent thinking in all academic endeavors
as part of the student’s learning experience apart from outside influence and offers
the student the opportunity to refine their unique, individual voice through academic
discourse with other students and faculty.
Ethical Use and Bias Awareness:
AI is trained on large amounts of data from the internet, which may include biased
or inaccurate information. Be mindful of the potential for bias and critically evaluate
the responses provided by AI. Therefore, when using AI, just like with using any other
database, students must verify that the information is from reliable sources, question
any potential biases, and ensure that the information and sources used in the paper
are neutral, peer-reviewed sources.
Responsible Engagement:
Students should engage with AI in a respectful and responsible manner and avoid using
offensive language, discriminatory remarks, or engaging in any form of harassment
or inappropriate behavior. Students should also uphold the standards of respectful
communication in addressing both AI and fellow classmates.
Compliance with South Plains College Policies:
Policies regarding the appropriate use of AI in South Plains College courses are set
by instructional departments and individual instructors. Appropriate use of AI may
range from strict prohibition to assignments they may require the use of AI. Misusing
or violating the guidelines outlined in this syllabus warning may result in disciplinary
action, including academic penalties. Students are expected to familiarize themselves
with the specific course policies regarding the use of AI and adhere to them throughout
the semester.
Remember, AI can be a tool to support your learning in certain courses and assignments,
but it cannot replace the critical thinking, creativity, and independent work that
are integral to your overall academic growth.
AI-Enabled Wearable Technology (NEW 10/8/2026)
Artificial intelligence requirements apply regardless of the device or interface through which AI is accessed. Smart glasses, electronic eyewear, smart watches, headsets, or other wearable technologies capable of accessing artificial intelligence or capturing, recording, displaying, storing, transmitting, or receiving information are subject to the same course, assignment, examination, and academic-integrity requirements applicable to other electronic devices.
Unless specifically authorized by the instructor, students may not use smart glasses, AI-enabled eyewear, or other wearable electronic technology during examinations, quizzes, competency assessments, or other activities intended to measure a student's independent knowledge or skills.
Corrective-Lens Use
A student who wears smart glasses or electronic eyewear as prescription or corrective lenses may be permitted to continue wearing the eyewear during an assessment only when the electronic functions of the device are completely powered off. Airplane mode, standby mode, privacy mode, disabling only the camera or microphone, or disconnecting the device from a wireless network does not constitute powering the device off.
When smart glasses or electronic eyewear are worn as corrective lenses during a restricted assessment:
- The device must be completely powered off before the assessment begins and remain powered off for the duration of the assessment.
- Recording, artificial-intelligence, communication, display, audio, camera, wireless, and data-transmission functions may not be used.
- If the instructor or proctor cannot reasonably determine that the electronic functions have been disabled, the student may be required to remove and store the device in accordance with testing procedures.
- Students who routinely rely on prescription smart glasses are encouraged to bring non-electronic prescription glasses or another appropriate corrective-lens alternative for examinations and restricted assessments.
- Students who require electronic eyewear or another wearable device because of an approved disability accommodation should coordinate with Disability Services in advance. An approved accommodation shall be implemented through the College's established accommodation process.
Rev. 10/8/2026 - Addition of AI-Enabled Wearable Technology
Rev. 7/15/2026 - COVID (Symptoms deleted)
Rev. 12/4/2025 - Addition of Student Identifcation Verification Pictures statement
Rev. 9/12/2025 - COVID (removal of symptom "new loss of taste and smell")
Rev. 6/2/2025 - AI (removed names of AI products); Disability (changed "he/she" to
"individual's")
Rev. 8/27/2024 - COVID (Symptoms expansion)
Rev. 6/11/2024
Rev. 3/18/2024 - COVID (Isolation from 5 to 3-days)
Rev. 9/2023
