The Basic Outdoor Leadership Training (BOLT) Program is an SUU Outdoors program that creates opportunities for the SUU community to reach leadership and developmental goals for students, faculty, staff, and organizations. Students enrolled in this class will learn and develop outdoor recreation-based leadership training focused in areas related to outdoor education theory, leadership in the outdoors, group management, and risk management. Students will develop these skills along with the skill sets needed to lead hiking and backpacking trips for SUU students. The class will culminate with a 3-day backpacking trip that will be planned and carried out by students with the mentorship of the instructor. This class is a prerequisite to apply for a position with SUU Outdoors as a trip leader where additional mentorship and skills related to outdoor leadership will be learned.

Required Text(s): None

Recommended Text(s): None

References: None

• Baseline understanding of group dynamics
• Leadership styles
• Learning and teaching methods
• Outdoor risk management
• Familiarity with the SUU Outdoors trip leader program
• Competency in backpacking skills

This is not a pass/fail class. Students will receive a letter grade in accordance with their attendance, assignments, attendance of the class outing, and final.

• Attendance: 10 points per class
• Assignments and quizzes: 10 points each
• Field trip: 50 points
• Final exam: 20 points

Late work will automatically be deducted 10% for each week it is late. Any assignment turned in after 3 weeks past the due date will receive no credit.

Class attendance is required for this course and is critical for student success. If a student has conflicts for class, this must be communicated beforehand with the instructor. The instructor will exercise discretion on a student’s ability to make up a missed class.

Students will be required to attend the final trip outing that will take place October 3–5, 2025. Students must make their own arrangements for work, other classes, and personal commitments during this time. If a student is unable to attend, they must communicate with the instructor as soon as possible to discuss options, if any, for making up this class outing.

Faculty Information

• Instructor: Levi Pendleton, M.I.S.
• Phone: (435) 865-8705
• Office Address: SUU Outdoors Garage, 356 S. Main Street, Office 109
• Office Hours: Upon appointment only
• Email: levipendleton@suu.edu

Course Logistics

ORPT 1140-01, First Session
Mondays, 6:00 PM – 8:50 PM, SUU Outdoors Garage, 356 S. Main Street
Fall 2025

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research. Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior. The use of websites or services that sell essays or provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services. If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society. SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services. SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency. For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in person, by email, or in writing, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan. You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

SUUSA Statement

As a student at SUU, you have representation from the SUU Student Association (SUUSA) which advocates for student interests and helps work as a liaison between the students and the university administration. You can submit MySUU Voice feedback by going to https://www.suu.edu/suusa/voice. Likewise, you can learn more about SUUSA’s Executive Council at https://www.suu.edu/suusa/executive-council and about all of SUUSA’s Student Senators at https://www.suu.edu/suusa/senate. If you have any specific concerns regarding any of your courses, please contact the SUUSA VP of Academics at suusa_academicsvp@suu.edu.

Thriving Thunderbirds

Mental health is essential for your academic success. If you are struggling with mental health issues, SUU provides resources, support, and services to help you. Please visit https://www.suu.edu/mentalhealth for access to these valuable resources. If you need assistance navigating any of the resources, please contact Counseling and Psychological Services, the Dean of Students’ Office, or the Health and Wellness Center.

Writing Center

The SUU Undergraduate Writing Center invites all students to the Writing Center in Braithwaite Center 101 where qualified peer tutors are ready to help with any stage of the writing process. Fall hours start September 3: M–Th 8 am–9 pm, F 8 am–5 pm, and Saturday 11 am–3 pm. All appointments are free, and both in-person and Zoom appointments are available. To schedule, visit https://www.suu.edu/hss/writingcenter.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.