INTERIM POLICY FOR THE DISCONTINUANCE OF

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

ACADEMIC SENATE POLICY S79-48

At its meeting of May 15, 1979, the Academic Senate approved an interim policy for the discontinuance of Academic Programs as follows:

1. An initial recommendation to discontinue or curtail an academic program can be made by the faculty of the program itself, the Educational Policies Council, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, or the President of the University. Each recommendation must be accompanied by documentation clearly indicating the specific reasons for the suggested discontinuance of a program. The Educational Policies Council shall review the initial proposal and decide whether or not the recommendation warrants a more extensive All-University review as described below.

2. An extensive review shall include the broadest possible consultation throughout the University. The review shall include discussions with:

a. appropriate department or program committees and representative student groups of the program under consideration for termination

b. appropriate cognate departments or programs

c. the Educational Policies Council (and, where appropriate, the Graduate Council) of the Academic Senate

d. the Academic Senate

3. The review shall lead to a final recommendation being made by the Educational Policies Council through the full Senate to the University President for his approval.

4. Mechanisms permitting enrolled students to earn their degrees while a program is being phased out will include:

a. Establishment of a cut-off date beyond which no new students will be permitted to enter the program (to include both new applicants from outside the University as well as already enrolled students who wish to change their major to this area).

b. Preparation of an official list (as of the cut-off date) of all students who are legitimately majors in the program.

c. Notification to all students with the declared major of the following alternatives:

1. the date by which the degree requirements must be completed in order to receive the specified degree from this institution;

2. the closely related degree programs offered by this campus to which the student may wish to transfer;

3. the availability of similar programs offered by other institutions in the geographical area; and

4. the extent to which transfer work, substitutions, etc. may be considered in meeting the requirements for the degree.

**APPROVED BY PRESIDENT ROMBERG, MAY 30, 1979**