Ethical Use Statement for the First-Year Composition Archive (FYCA)

Supported by the WAC Clearinghouse

The First-Year Composition Archive is supported by the WAC Clearinghouse. You can find additional resources for researchers, scholars, teachers, and writers in the Clearinghouse's WAC Repository.


Supported by Writing Faculty

The First-Year Composition Archive is supported by faculty members affiliated with writing programs at the following institutions:


View Our Diversity Statement

The First-Year Composition Archive is committed to promoting a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.


View the CSU Land Acknowledgment

As a publication of the WAC Clearinghouse, this archive follows its commitment to provide open-access, curated instructional and professional resources while promoting an inclusive academic community. The Archive also supports the Colorado State University land-acknowledgment statement, which honors the ties of Indigenous people to land on which the university operates.

Welcome to the First-Year Composition Archive. This resource has been compiled to provide valuable support and inspiration for teacher-scholars in first-year writing courses. As you access and utilize this archive, we kindly request that you adhere to the following ethical principles to ensure responsible and respectful use:

Academic Integrity: The materials in this archive are provided to enhance the teaching and learning experience and promote research in the discipline. We strongly discourage any form of plagiarism or academic dishonesty. When using ideas or content from this archive, always properly attribute the original authors and sources. For information on citing instructional materials, please visit How to Cite a Syllabus.

Fair Use: While this archive is a valuable resource, it is essential to understand that some contributions may contain materials protected by copyright laws. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with fair use guidelines and obtaining appropriate permissions if they intend to use copyrighted materials for purposes beyond educational or scholarly use.

Respect for Diversity: The archive encompasses a wide range of syllabi and assignments, representing various perspectives and approaches. We encourage users to engage with the materials in a respectful and inclusive manner, recognizing and celebrating the diversity of voices and viewpoints. We ask that users be respectful of gender identity when using materials (i.e., using “they” and “them” unless otherwise indicated).

Avoid Misrepresentation: When utilizing materials from this archive for research or reference purposes, ensure that the context and content are accurately represented. Misrepresentation or alteration of content is unethical and can lead to misinformation.

Non-Commercial Use: This archive is intended for educational and scholarly purposes. Users should not exploit the materials for commercial gain or political objectives without proper authorization from the original creators or copyright holders.

Accountability: Users are accountable for their actions when accessing and using the archive's content.

Contribution and Collaboration: If you choose to contribute to the archive, ensure that you have the necessary permissions to share the materials and that you comply with our guidelines.