Auburn University intends to act consistently with applicable state and federal law. At the Biggio Center, our intent is to be responsive to faculty requests for guidance on how to ensure your syllabus is consistent with Alabama Act 2024-34 (formerly SB129) effective October 1, 2024 and codified at Ala. Code § 41-1-90 et seq.
The following principles should be followed:
- Diversity Statements should not be included in a syllabus. (See 2024 Ala. 34 Sec. 2(6).)
- An exception to this guidance exists when a Diversity Statement is required in furtherance of satisfying any accreditation standard or requirement. (See 2024 Ala. 34 Sec. 4(3)(a).) In that case, the Diversity Statement should include a specific reference to the applicable accreditation standard.
- Nothing in this guidance is intended to prevent faculty from setting classroom behavior expectations intended to protect First Amendment rights, intellectual diversity, and/or free expression (See 2024 Ala. 34 Sec. 4(9)).
When in doubt about following these principles, please reach out to the Biggio Center.
See Supplemental Instructional Guidance for Auburn University Faculty Regarding Alabama Act 2024-34 (Formerly SB 129) for more information
