To be recognized as a STAR Instructor, faculty must meet at least 9 of the criteria listed below. These practices should be clearly reflected in the course syllabus and/or Canvas site. Interested faculty submit their course for review to CAFE.

Required Certification Criteria (Choose Any 9 of 13)

1. Canvas Integration
   The course uses Canvas to post the syllabus, grades, schedule, and due dates.
2. Access to Instructional Materials
   Classroom materials (e.g., PowerPoints, handouts) are accessible to students via Canvas or elsewhere.
3. No Penalizing Syllabus Changes
   The instructor does not make changes to the syllabus or schedule that penalizes students. This policy is stated in the syllabus. [Sample wording available]
4. Transparent Grading Criteria
   Provides clear grading guidance, such as rubrics for major assignments. The grading scheme must appear on the syllabus.
5. Balanced Grading Structure
   No single assignment or exam counts for more than 25% of the final grade.
6. Assessment Preparation Support
   Provides preparatory materials such as study guides, sample questions, or past exams—posted on Canvas or linked from Canvas.
7. Post and Use AI policy on the syllabus as defined in the S&T GAI guidelines. This may include:
   1. What is the allowed use of GAI for students in the course possible penalties for use of GAI when not allowed.

1.  If the instructor is using GAI to create course content how it is being used, particularly if it is used for grading. In some cases, it may be appropriate to ask students to sign a release that they agree to have their work evaluated by GAI.

1. If using GAI is expected in your course, how will you handle students who do not want to use GAI.

8. States Course Purpose or connection to the “real world” or your future learning experiences throughout the class. Also, list the course learning objectives on the syllabus.
9. Active Learning
   Course includes at least one form of active learning per week (e.g., clicker quiz, think-pair-share, student discussion). This is described in the syllabus.
10. Responsive Communication
    Instructor commits to responding to emails within 24–48 hours (1–2 business days, M–F). This policy is stated in the syllabus. [Sample wording available]
11. Timely Grade Reporting
    Grades (with relevant feedback) are posted on Canvas within one week of the assignment’s due date. This commitment appears on the syllabus.
12. Posted and Flexible Office Hours
    Office hours are listed on the syllabus and clearly posted (physically or digitally). The instructor offers flexible options, including virtual appointments when possible. [Sample wording available]
13. Respectful

The instructor previously scored an average of 3.5 or higher on the SET respect question for the same class. The question is stated “Respectful (for example, is considerate and polite, encourages students, promotes an inclusive environment). “

Encouraged Best Practices (Not Required for STAR Designation)

• Open the Canvas course site at least one week before the semester begins.
• Use a syllabus quiz or an in-class syllabus review during Week 1.
• Submit early alerts using S&T Connect by Week 5.
• Post average scores for major assessments to increase transparency.
• Collect and reflect on student feedback at mid-term (e.g., S&T survey, anonymous prompt, quick in-class check-in, muddiest point).
• Participate in teaching-related workshops.
• Create an environment that is accessible for all students

For assistance in implementing any of these practices or updating your syllabus to meet STAR certification, please contact the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFE).

STAR (Supportive, Timely, Attentive, & Respectful) Teaching Certification FAQ

As of October 2025

Who created this certification and why? The certification is being proposed by a 19-member task force made up of faculty, staff, and students. It was formed by the chancellor and co-chaired by Susan Murray & Leticia Steffen. We created the certification in response to a request from StuCo presented to S&T Leadership and Faculty Senate.

How does it help S&T students? The suggestions in the STAR criteria are focused on supporting students. Our aim is to reduce uncertainty and potential  confusion for our students. Adding these elements to a syllabus establishes clear expectations between the student and the instructor.

How does it work?  A faculty member fills out a brief form marking which of the potential metrics they are meeting for a specific class. Then they submit the form and other information, such as their syllabus, to cafe@mst.edu for review. The certification is for three years for a specific instructor and a specific class. If you want to certify multiple courses, you need to apply multiple times.  

How will the certification be used? Teaching effectiveness is evaluated for all instructors at S&T. The STAR certification is not necessary, nor sufficient as an indicator of teaching effectiveness and should not be used as such. It encourages instructors to be supportive of students, to clearly communicate the class structure, and to reduce uncertainty for students in the class.  

Where will the certification be kept? A list of STAR courses and instructors will be kept online where students, advisors, and faculty can see it. We are exploring if the designation can be added to Stellic once it is fully operational. The instructor can also display it on their course homepage, email, etc.

What happens to the application materials? The STAR application and support materials (e.g., syllabus) will not be entered into any AI system. The material will only be reviewed by the Associate Provost for Teaching and Curricular Excellence and/or the staff in CAFE. The application form and the approval will be retained, but no support materials such as syllabus will be kept.

Is it required for instructors to be STAR certified? No, it is optional. Why not require all of the metrics? We want to provide some flexibility to faculty. Some metrics might not fit a specific course. New faculty or faculty teaching a new course may not have all the material for all of the metrics.

Why are some metrics recommended but not required? These suggestions, while good, are difficult to measure and track.

Don’t most S&T faculty already do these best practices? Yes, but having supportive statements on your syllabus and committing to being student-centered in the way you manage your class can be very reassuring and supportive to students. Uncertainty or ambiguity can be stressful for many students.