Definitions:
A program is defined as a department, a major, or a minor.
Suspension is defined as no longer allowing students to begin studies in a program, while the program remains officially on the books. A suspended program could later be reactivated or discontinued.
Discontinuance is defined as removing a program from the books.
Proposals for suspension, discontinuance, or consolidation of an undergraduate academic program must follow this policy, and must be recommended by the academic program, the Dean, or the Provost, as delineated in items 1-3 below.
The academic program may recommend to the Dean a program suspension, discontinuance, or a consolidation of multiple academic majors in one program, resulting in a reduction of major program offerings in that academic program;
The Dean may recommend a program suspension, discontinuance, or a consolidation of major programs, by informing the academic program director or department chair that s/he is beginning such a process and informing the Provost of the intent to formally review for consideration of suspension, discontinuance, or consolidation an academic program;
The Provost may recommend a program suspension, discontinuance, or consolidation of academic programs, by informing the School Dean and academic program director or department chair;
Once the appropriate parties are informed, a Proposal for
Suspension, Discontinuance, or Consolidation is prepared that demonstrates the academic program qualifies for
suspension, discontinuance, or consolidation, such proposal to include specific data and documentation from the Registrar and other areas;
Such a Proposal may be submitted by the academic program director or department chair to the Dean; or may be submitted by the Dean to the academic program via the program director or department chair; or may be submitted by the Provost to the Dean, who will then forward the Proposal to the applicable academic program director or department chair. In either case, those receiving the proposal may respond in writing to affirm, request further explanation on specific item(s), or challenge the proposal by providing data;
If the academic program originates the proposal, there will be 20 class days to respond, not counting days or weeks off on the university calendar. If, however, the proposal comes from outside the academic program, the academic program has 40 class days to respond, not counting days or weeks off on the university calendar. A proposal that does not receive a response within the allotted timeframe is ready for presentation to the provost. In the case of disagreement, the academic program department will be given no more than $5,000 to prepare their response;
Once a response is presented, the Dean and the faculty of the affected academic program will have up to 10 class days to prepare for a meeting of the Dean and said faculty to discuss, and possibly amend, the proposal. It is hoped a general agreement on the contents of a Proposal can be reached by the Dean and the faculty of the academic program at such a meeting. If so, such a revised Proposal will be prepared by the initiator of the Proposal and then submitted to the Provost. If not, the Proposal and the Response will be sent to the Provost.
The Provost will determine if the case for
suspension, discontinuance, or consolidation has been made, and if so, the Provost shall submit the proposal and all accompanying documentation to the Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee along with his/her recommendation. The Dean and academic program director or department chair shall make themselves available to the committee, if requested. The Senate Curriculum Committee will submit to the Senate a motion to recommend to the President or not recommend to the President
suspension, discontinuance, or consolidation of the academic program.
Suspension, discontinuance, or consolidation of an academic program will require the approval of both the Faculty Senate and University President.
The Faculty Senate agrees to view requests from the Provost for Senate determinations on these matters as a priority and expedite their work on these matters. The Senate shall provide their determination on the matter submitted within 45 class days of the committee receiving such a proposal.
It should be noted that the Dean will, from time to time, and on a specific basis, seek the advice of external experts in the area or discipline proposed for suspension, discontinuance, or consolidation or seek the advice of department heads or faculty members of other universities to receive counsel and opinion in the development of a Proposal. External advice received by the Dean will be shared with the academic program director or department chair under review for suspension, discontinuance, or consolidation.
Academic program proposals should include reference to the needs of students presently enrolled in the program so as to complete their degree as begun, as well as a proposal regarding the time frame for
suspension or discontinuance. Submissions may additionally propose reconfiguration of the academic program as an academic minor and/or configuration of the academic program’s intro level courses for general elective offerings or Clare College options.
Approved by the Faculty Senate: March 9, 2012
Revised by the Faculty Senate: March 16, 2012
Approved by the President: March 19, 2012
Revised December 6, 2013;
Revisions approved by the President January 30, 2014