I.

Preamble

This policy provides categories of decision variables and a set of processes and procedures to be used in considering the discontinuation of academic programs. Academic programs covered by this policy include the following: a) undergraduate and graduate degrees; b) concentrations; c) minors; d) certificate programs (including Extended Education) and e) credential programs.

Should it be necessary to consider the discontinuation of an academic program, a determination will be based upon a review of the following:

a.

the importance of the program to the University's mission as articulated in the institution's approved mission statement;

b.

the quality of the program; and

c.

the efficiency of the program.

In considering a decision to discontinue a program, no one category should necessarily be deemed more crucial than any other; nor, likewise, is deficiency, or low rating, in any one category necessarily sufficient for program discontinuance. A decision to discontinue a program should not be based solely on quantitative measures, but on a holistic assessment of the program in terms of all of the decision variables, within a process that is broadly consultative and collegial.

II.

Decision Variables

A.

Importance to the Institution

1.

To what extent the program is central to SFSU's mission as described in the "Academic Mission and Goals of the University" statement.

2.

To what extent the program is central to the curriculum of a department, a college, or the University.

3.

To what extent the program promotes the mission of the University.

4.

To what extent the program advances the University's affirmative action goals.

5.

To what extent the program provides a special service to the community.

6.

To what extent the program has demonstrated potential for external funding and support.

B.

Quality of the Program

1.

To what extent the quality of the program is adequate to justify continuance in its present form. Program quality may be assessed by program review, external review, or accreditation review. The variables for evaluating program quality may include:

a.

demonstrated ability of the faculty to offer and maintain a current and rigorous curriculum;

b.

access to resources adequate to develop the sufficient breadth, depth and coherence of the program;

c.

demonstrated ability to attract and retain well-qualified faculty;

d.

the quality of the program's faculty as demonstrated by participation in appropriate scholarly, creative and/or professional activity.

2.

To what extent the program's excellence and standing in its discipline enhances the reputation of the university.

C.

Efficiency and Demand for the Program

1.

To what extent the program is cost-effective relative to disciplinary norms and compared to similar programs at comparable institutions. The measurements presented shall include student-faculty ratio; total cost per FTEF; and total cost per FTES. Other discipline specific variables may also be used.

2.

To what extent the present and projected demand for the program is sufficient. Demand for the program may be measured by one or more of the following:

a.

the number of completed applications for admission;

b.

the FTES generated in lower division, upper division, and/or graduate level courses;

c.

the number of students who completed the program;

d.

the anticipated need for graduates of the program.

III.

Process

The process for discontinuance is similar to the process for the creation of programs. For undergraduate and graduate degrees, concentrations, minors, and certificates, this involves program faculty, the college, the Academic Senate, and the president of the university or his/her designee. For credential programs, this involves the program faculty, the college, the Teacher Credential Committee, the Dean of the College of Education and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. This process shall be completed within one calendar year from the initial recommendation.

A.

A recommendation to discontinue a program may be made by the faculty of the program, the college dean, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, or the President of the University. Each recommendation must be accompanied by documentation that indicates specific reasons for discontinuance based on the decision variables above. Each recommendation must also include information regarding the potential effect on the future employment status of the faculty and staff in the program. The Chair of EPC, through the Academic Senate office, shall inform the campus community of any proposal for discontinuance at least two weeks prior to its meeting to consider the action. Any interested party may file a response with the EPC prior to its meeting. The EPC shall review the recommendation.

B.

EPC is responsible for deciding to what extent to involve the following in the review:

1.

Appropriate program committee;

2.

Representative student groups of the program;

3.

Appropriate cognate programs;

4.

The college council, the dean, and other appropriate college bodies;

5.

Appropriate university-wide councils and/or committees.

C.

At the end of the review, the Educational Policies Council shall report its recommendation to the Academic Senate for action.

D.

If a program is to be discontinued, students shall be enabled to complete their course of study at San Francisco State University. Procedures shall be set up by the program or, in the case of a credential, by the Teacher Credential Committee. The procedures shall include:

1.

Preparation of an official list of students enrolled in the program;

2.

Establishment of a cut-off date for adding students to that list;

3.

Notification to all students on the list of the following alternatives:

a.

the date by which program requirements must be met;

b.

other programs offered by the university to which the student may wish to transfer;

c.

similar programs offered by nearby institutions.