This summary highlights new and revised MU Faculty Handbook policies approved by Faculty Council in AY26 and effective Fall 2026. Most came through the FC Academic Affairs subcommittee. AI policies were generated by the MU AI Committee and brought directly to Faculty Council; the new definitional policy on high-impact practices came from the MU Committee on High-Impact Practices and moved through Academic Affairs to FC.
I. One-time elimination of Reading Day (FS26)
Because Missouri will observe Veterans Day in November, MU will not observe Reading Day in Fall 2026. Friday, December 11, will be a regularly scheduled class day. This is a one-time change. In future years, the Veterans Day holiday will not affect the traditional fall semester schedule because UM System has revised the academic-calendar language in the CRRs.
II. Required policy additions and changes effective Fall 2026
A. Required use of grading scale in syllabus and Canvas (revised 3.5.26; required)
Instructors must provide the course grading scale both in the syllabus and in Canvas.
- If Canvas default scale does NOT match the instructor’s course grading scale, the instructor must create a grading scale within Canvas that does.
- Instructors are not required to use the default MU course grading scale. See VII. Credits and Grades, sec. B. The grading system, point 2.
B. LMS (Canvas) Use Policy (new 3.19.26; required)
All instructors are required to use Canvas for the following:
- Posting of the course syllabus
- Posting of all student grades throughout the semester (not just final grade)
- Canvas pages must also be published by the first day of the course.
- These requirements do not apply to independent studies/research, directed readings, dissertation, or internship courses. See XIV. Additions to the Faculty Handbook, point G.
C. AI usage (new; required + recommendations)
Faculty Council and the MU AI Committee have created several new classroom AI policies.
- AI Syllabus statement (policy created AY25; required). All instructors must adopt an AI policy for their course and state it explicitly in their syllabus. (FH XIV, sec. F.)
- AI Use Scale Policy (new 4.30.26; required). Instructors teaching undergraduate courses must label all graded assignments and assessments with a level (0-3) from the MU Student AI Use Scale. (FH XIV, sec. H.). Scale here: MU Student AI Use Scale.
- AI Grading and Feedback Policy (new 6.25.26; guidelines). Provides expectations for use of AI grading and feedback, including transparency, communications, and human oversight. (FH XIV, sec. J.)
- AI Detection Tools Policy (new 7.23.26; guidelines). This policy states that AI detection software reports should not serve as the “sole evidence used for reporting students or misconduct proceedings.” (FH XIV, sec. K.)
All AI policies listed above are available in theMU Faculty Handbook, XIV, Additions to the Faculty Handbook. More information about AI initiatives, tools, and resources is available on the Office of the Provost’s website and on a forthcoming dedicated MU AI website.
III. Additional new or revised AY26 policies for reference
A. Course Repeat and Grade Replacement Policies (revised 5.14.26; processes)
- Key changes: separating general course-repeat policy from grade-replacement rules; increasing repeatable credit hours from 15 to 18; allowing the highest grade to count for grade replacement; recognizing all UM System courses for grade replacement; and defining when repeats affect academic standing. See VII. Credits and Grades. Sec. B. Grading System, points 8.1-8.4. (Undergraduate course repeat and GPA adjustment policy; GPA adjustment eligibility and attempts; Course Equivalencies and repeat matching; Advising and student responsibilities.)
B. High-Impact Practices (new 6.26.26; definitional)
- MU now has a defined list of undergraduate academic HIPs. See XIV. Additions to the Faculty Handbook, sec. I. for list and defining criteria (“quality dimensions”).
C. Auditing a Course (revised 4.30.26; process)
The revised policy replaces the term “hearer” with “auditor” and limits course audits to students enrolled through the Visiting Student Program. Regular degree-seeking students may enroll as auditors only by exception and with the instructor’s written permission. The final date to choose the audit option is the last day to withdraw without a grade. See III. Registration and Withdrawals, sec. D.