In a significant step forward for transparency, consistency, and student success, Sam Houston State University has officially launched Simple Syllabus—branded internally as S2—as the centralized syllabus solution for all SHSU courses starting Fall 2025.
This university-wide implementation represents the culmination of extensive planning, piloting, and collaboration across departments, led by SHSU Online in coordination with Academic Affairs, IT@Sam, and faculty leaders. With the S2 launch now complete, instructors can create and publish syllabi using the new platform for every section, every term, and can rely on SHSU Online for training, use, and technical support.
What is S2 and Why Does It Matter?
S2 is a cloud-based, template-driven syllabus tool that integrates directly with Blackboard and Banner. It automatically pulls in critical institutional policies, calendar data, course catalog information, and instructor contact details—allowing faculty to focus their energy on customizing their course-specific content such as assignments, readings, and instructional expectations.
Faculty will still retain full control over their course-level content, but now within a structured, student-friendly framework. S2 takes care of the repetitive tasks and versioning challenges, so faculty can focus on the meaningful aspects of teaching and learning.
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Benefits for Faculty
- Ease of Use: No more formatting headaches. The intuitive editor allows instructors to build their syllabi quickly and efficiently.
- Version Control: Syllabi are stored and archived automatically, eliminating the need to manage or email static files.
- Blackboard Integration: Syllabi auto-publish in the Blackboard course shell, ensuring students have access from the first day of class. No more uploading your syllabus to Blackboard!
Benefits for Students
- Consistency Across Courses: With a standardized layout and accessible format, students can more easily find key information—grading, attendance, due dates—across all their courses.
- Improved Accessibility: S2 syllabi are mobile-friendly and meet accessibility standards, supporting all learners.
- Early Access: Once published, syllabi can be made available even before the first day of class, giving students a head start on expectations and materials.
Benefits for Administrators
- Centralized Reporting: Academic leaders can now access real-time analytics on syllabus completion rates and content inclusion.
- Accreditation Readiness: With syllabi archived and searchable, SHSU is better positioned to respond to accreditor and compliance documentation requests.
- Curriculum Transparency: Consistent syllabi provide visibility into instructional practices, enabling better curriculum mapping and planning.
Faculty Support & Training
To ensure a smooth transition to S2, SHSU Online will offer training opportunities throughout the upcoming academic year, including live sessions, recorded tutorials, and hands-on workshops. Faculty can also work directly with our Instructional Designers, who are available to assist in setting up your first S2 syllabus or answer questions about integrating S2 into your course workflow.
In addition, SHSU Online’s 24/7 Support Desk will continue to provide around-the-clock technical support for faculty, ensuring that help is always available—day, night, or weekend.
Looking Ahead
As S2 becomes part of the standard digital toolkit at SHSU, SHSU Online is committed to supporting faculty and advancing the university’s goals of access, clarity, and excellence in teaching. Instructors are encouraged to visit the SHSU Online Faculty Development Sessions Sign-Up page for resources, updates, and training information.
S2 is more than a new tool—it’s an opportunity to provide clarity, consistency, and digital agility in course communication. By embracing this change together, we’re creating a more streamlined experience for everyone involved in teaching and learning at Sam Houston State.