Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

TIC: Event Planning (Face-to-Face)

COMM 4600-01

Course: COMM 4600-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: COMM
CRN: 11660

Course Description

Welcome to the spring semester! I am excited to have you join us for this application-based course, where we will take the knowledge you gained in the fall semester (COMM-4520-01/HRHM-4510-01) and apply it in a real-world internship setting. This is a hands-on course, and your learning experience will be built around planning and executing events for Southern Utah University.

Throughout the semester, we will meet once a week to review upcoming events, discuss key details, and ensure you are prepared for your responsibilities. The rest of your credit hours will be spent working directly with the Office of Executive Events. You will be involved in the planning and execution of various events for the spring semester, including but not limited to:

  • Founders Week
  • Community Relation Events (Fan Fests)
  • Thunderbird Awards
  • Commencement

This course provides you with an invaluable opportunity to put your skills to the test in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. The events we’ll work on are key milestones for the university and will allow you to contribute to making each experience unforgettable for our guests.

We're excited to see how you grow throughout the semester and can’t wait to get started. Please come ready to engage, learn, and take on new challenges!

Required Texts

There are no required texts for this course. 

Learning Outcomes

  • Apply event management principles in professional settings
  • Plan and execute live events collaboratively
  • Demonstrate professional workplace behavior
  • Manage event logistics and operational details
  • Communicate effectively with various stakeholders
  • Respond to real-time challenges and changing conditions
  • Reflect on professional growth and career readiness

Course Requirements

This course is structured as an internship designed to develop workforce readiness in the event management field. To successfully complete the course, students are expected to:

  • Attend weekly class meetings to review upcoming events, responsibilities, and expectations.

  • Submit bi-monthly timesheets documenting hours worked, events supported, and professional skills or insights gained.

  • Actively assist in the planning and execution of university events, including but not limited to Founders Week, Commencement, the Thunderbird Awards, Fan Fests, ribbon cuttings, and other Office of Executive Events initiatives


Course Outline

This course is structured as a hands-on internship with the Office of Executive Events. Weekly class meetings focus on preparation, logistics, and professional development, while the majority of course hours are completed through direct event work.

Week 1 | Orientation & Professional Expectations

  • Course overview and internship expectations

  • Workplace professionalism, deadlines, attendance, and accountability

  • Timekeeping procedures and communication protocols

  • Overview of spring event calendar and roles

Week 2 | Event Planning Fundamentals

  • Event timelines, run-of-show documents, and staffing plans

  • Guest services standards and brand representation

  • Risk management, accessibility, and contingency planning

  • Preparation for Founders Week and community events

Weeks 3–4 | Founders Week Planning & Execution

  • Final logistics and on-site execution of Founders Week events

  • Stakeholder coordination and guest experience management

  • Event breakdown and post-event evaluation

  • Bi-monthly timesheet submission

Weeks 5–6 | Community Relations & Fan Fest Events

  • Planning and execution of Fan Fests, ribbon cuttings, and community events

  • Working with campus and community partners

  • Customer service, professionalism, and real-time problem solving

  • Continued event support and reflection

Week 7 | Mid-Semester Check-In & Professional Development

  • Review of performance, feedback, and expectations

  • Career readiness discussion and industry standards

  • Mid-semester reflection and timesheet submission

Week 8 | Recognition & Formal Events

  • Planning and execution of the Thunderbird Awards

  • Formal event protocol, staging, and VIP management

  • Event flow and guest services

Weeks 9–11 | Commencement Preparation

  • Commencement logistics, timelines, and rehearsal planning

  • Role assignments and cross-department coordination

  • Large-scale event operations and risk management

  • Continued event execution and support

Weeks 12–13 | Commencement Execution & Course Wrap-Up

  • On-site execution of Commencement ceremonies

  • Event breakdown and operational wrap-up

  • Final timesheet submission

  • Final reflection on professional growth and career readiness

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

To prepare students for professionalism in the workplace, all deadlines in this course are expected to be met. In a live event environment, missed deadlines directly impact event success. Because of this, late work will not be accepted.

Attendance Policy

To prepare students for professionalism in the workplace, students are expected to attend and arrive on time to all weekly class meetings and required events. Failure to do so will result in a zero for participation. Requests for excused absences must be submitted at least seven (7) days in advance for consideration.

Course Fees

No additional fees. 

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.

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.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. 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.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

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).

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 within writing assignments, 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

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.

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.