Preamble
The California State University has set guidelines that campuses must follow in order to discontinue an academic program in EP&R 79-10, "Interim Policy for the Discontinuance of Academic Programs," (Dumke) and EP&R 80-45, "Clarification of Interim Policy for the Discontinuance of Academic Programs," (Sherriffs). These require the campuses to establish an orderly procedure for program termination to ensure that affected public and enrolled students are properly considered. Furthermore, the CSU Academic Senate states, “The discontinuance or suspension of an academic program or the reorganization of academic units (departments, schools, colleges) bears directly on curriculum and affects the configuration of course offerings. For this reason, as indicated in numerous documents, faculty bear primary responsibility for the process by which any action occurs and for the policy language affecting it” [Resolution AS-2634-03/FA (Nov. 13-14, 2003) ]
This document states the policy and procedures for the discontinuance of academic programs at Sonoma State University. An academic program is defined in this statement, as it is generally in the CSU system, as a sequence of courses leading to an academic degree. (Minors, options, concentrations, credential programs, certificate programs, and special emphases are treated in separate statements [see below])
Discontinuance
Proposals for discontinuance of an academic program may be formally initiated by departments or schools, faculty members, school or university committees, or administrative officers of the University for consideration by the faculty through the Educational Policies Committee (EPC) of the Academic Senate. The Committee shall review discontinuance proposals in a timely manner and shall make recommendations to the Academic Senate on this issue. The Academic Senate shall give timely consideration to proposals and, if deemed necessary, refer them to appropriate faculty governance committees (e.g. Academic Planning, Assessment and Resources Committee) for review. The Academic Senate will then forward its recommendation to the President.
Proposals for Graduate Programs: Proposals for discontinuance of Graduate Programs will also be reviewed by the Graduate Studies Subcommittee of the EPC, which shall attend especially to the particular considerations involving graduate programs and the students in those programs. In any case, program discontinuation should result from a deliberate process that considers relevant decision factors described in this policy. It should not be initiated to address short-term financial crises or personnel shortages. The Program Discontinuance Policy should be understood as an appropriate mechanism for evaluating the vitality of a program when substantial concerns exist as to the program’s future viability.
Furthermore, if a program appears to be subject to de facto discontinuance—because of underfunding, insufficient faculty, or other inadequate support—departments or schools, faculty members, school or university committees, or administrative officers of the University may ask EPC for a consultative hearing in order to ascertain whether a proposal for discontinuance should be initiated.
No action shall be taken to limit enrollment into the program whose discontinuance is being proposed until reviewed by the EPC of the Academic Senate. If the decision of the President is to discontinue the program, the Academic Vice President, the Dean of the School in which the program resides, and the Department Chair or Coordinator of the program shall establish a written schedule for the orderly phasing out of the program in order that enrolled students may earn the degree.
The determination to discontinue an academic program shall be based at all levels on consideration of the following factors:
- The overall quality of the program.
- Program quality shall be assessed using evidence obtained from relevant sources, including the most recent Program Review conducted. It should take into account the following factors:
- Capacity and ability of the faculty to deliver current curriculum in pedagogically sound ways.
- Adequacy of resources available to deliver in a coherent manner sufficient breadth and depth of program curriculum.
- Ability of the program to attract and retain well-qualified permanent faculty.
- How the program’s standing and excellence in its discipline contributes to the reputation of the university.
- The centrality of the academic program to the curriculum of the University.
This aspect of the program should include a consideration of the impact of discontinuing the program on the General Education Curriculum and on other academic programs of the University. The availability of other programs at the University that provide similar or complementary educational experiences should be weighed. This criterion should also address whether the university would continue to fulfill its mission if the program were discontinued.
- Enrollment trends and numbers of degrees granted in the program, and the future prospects for these.
- The needs of the service area and other constituencies.
Consideration should be given to the presence or lack of the same program at other colleges in or near to the service area and in the entire CSU system. Diversity considerations should be weighed: how will discontinuance of the program affect constituency groups such as minoritized, professional, and industrial communities?
Program Suspension
A program “suspension” is a period of time during which no new students will be admitted to the program.
Proposals for suspension of an academic program may be formally initiated by departments or schools, faculty members, school or university committees, or administrative officers of the University for consideration by the faculty through the Educational Policies Committee (EPC) of the Academic Senate. The Committee shall review suspension proposals in a timely manner and shall make recommendations to the Academic Senate on this issue. The Academic Senate shall give timely consideration to proposals and, if deemed necessary, refer them to appropriate faculty governance committees (e.g. Academic Planning, Assessment and Resources Committee) for review. The Academic Senate will then forward its recommendation to the President.
A program can remain in suspended status for no longer than five years. A suspended program may either return to active status within a five-year period, or may be discontinued in accordance with the Policy for Discontinuing a Program. If a program finds it necessary to initiate a suspension during the Summer, the Senate Executive Committee has the authority to review a request for temporary suspension in lieu of EPC for a single admissions cycle. Suspension beyond the temporary period of a single admission cycle must be initiated through the regular suspension process as documented in the Procedures for Discontinuing and Suspending and Academic Program.
Discontinuing Minors, Concentrations (Tracks), Options, Credit, and Certificate Programs
Proposals for discontinuance of a minor degree program or a concentration (or track) within an academic program may be formally initiated by departments or schools, faculty members, school or university committees, or administrative officers of the University for consideration by the faculty through the Educational Policies Committee (EPC) of the Academic Senate. Minors and Concentrations can be especially susceptible to the effects of short-term financial crises, so their discontinuation by de facto discontinuance should be attended to by affected faculty, students, staff, and administration. If a minor concentration appears to be subject to de facto discontinuance—because of underfunding, insufficient faculty, or other inadequate support—departments or schools, faculty members, school or university committees, or administrative officers of the University may ask EPC for a consultative hearing in order to ascertain whether a proposal for discontinuance should be initiated.
Proposals for discontinuance of credential programs or certificate programs should follow the procedures for minors and options.
This policy shall be reviewed by EPC in five years from its effective date to determine its effectiveness and appropriateness. This policy may be reviewed before that time as necessary.
Notification required to the Chancellor's Office for the following proposals:
- Discontinue a baccalaureate or master's degree
- Discontinue a subplan/concentration
- Substantive changes to program or requirements