WHEREAS, The Chancellor's Office in 1980 issued a memo stating that all campuses
"shall have written procedures, approved by the Chancellor, for the discontinuance
of academic programs"; and
WHEREAS, The Chancellor's directive does not include suspension of academic programs, which is a local issue; and
WHEREAS, There may be instances when it is necessary to suspend a program for a period of time; and
WHEREAS, The potential suspension of an academic program affects students, faculty and the university; and
WHEREAS, It is important for constituents affected by such a suspension to have an opportunity to express support or concerns; and
WHEREAS, Humboldt State University currently has no clear policy and procedures for the suspension of academic programs; therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of Humboldt State University approve the
attached Procedures for Suspension of Academic Programs.
This document is a companion document to the Humboldt State University Procedures for Discontinuance of Academic Programs. The process of suspension of an academic program is not intended as a means for "de facto" program discontinuance but rather as a temporary procedure before a final decision is made regarding program continuance or discontinuance. This process should be initiated and completed during the fall and spring semesters (not during the summer session). Any proposal to suspend an academic degree program shall specify mechanisms to permit enrolled students to earn their degrees and shall ensure that broad consultation with groups or persons likely to be affected has occurred. The suspension process has three phases as outlined below. To ensure timeliness, the Vice President of Academic Affairs will oversee the process.
Initial Phase
The suspension process may be initiated by one of the following groups or individuals:
a majority of probationary and tenured faculty in an academic department or
school, an appropriate college committee or an academic administrator. In the
case where an academic program includes courses and faculty from several departments
(e.g. Environmental Science, Liberal Studies Elementary Education, Social Sciences),
suspension may be initiated by a majority of faculty with oversight responsibility
for or who routinely teach courses in the program, an appropriate college committee
or an academic administrator. A list of current programs and faculty can be
found in the Office of Academic Affairs. The group or individual will initiate
the process by preparing a written justification for suspension of the academic
program, and should clearly identify the stakeholders affected by the recommendation.
This initiating document will not only provide detailed reasons for the proposed
suspension but will also include a discussion of provisions to be made for all
students currently enrolled in the program to ensure their ability to graduate
in a timely manner. Furthermore, the document will specify a maximum length
of time for the program suspension, not to exceed five years and additionally
propose an effective date for the beginning of the suspension. This initiating
document will be transmitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs who,
following consultation with the Academic Senate Chair, will make a recommendation
to the President regarding initiation of the process. If the decision is to
proceed, a copy of this initiating document will be sent to all University academic
departments/programs, colleges, Associated Students and academic administrators.
Response Phase
The response phase of the suspension process shall be for a period of 40 academic
days. For purposes of this process, an academic day shall be defined as a Faculty
Academic Workday (exclusive of the summer term). The response phase shall commence
on the day that the initiating document is distributed to the campus. During
the response phase, academic departments/programs outside the department being
considered, faculty member(s) in the affected academic program, college committees
or academic administrators will have an opportunity to prepare response documents
providing a rebuttal to the justification for suspension. Response documents
should address the issues raised in the initiating document and may also provide
a revised length of time for suspension should suspension be approved. It is
important that during this response phase student input is solicited and considered
by departments/programs/individuals prior to making a decision as to whether
to prepare a response document. Response documents must be received by the Office
of Academic Affairs prior to the end of the response period. These response
documents shall be immediately copied to the affected department for review
and comment. If no response documents are received in the Office of Academic
Affairs by the end of the response period then the program will be suspended
for the indicated period effective with the following academic year.
If the department/program offering the degree program has not written the initiating document, it can respond within the 40 academic days of the response phase as described above. The department/program will also have an opportunity to review and comment on the responses received by the Office of Academic Affairs. The departmental review, commentary and recommendations along with the initiating and response documents are forwarded to the appropriate college for the next level of review.
Review Phase
In the case where a response document is received during the response phase,
then the campus review process will commence. If neither the initiating document
nor the response document were prepared by the department/program offering the
degree program then the first level of review will be at the department/program
level. Otherwise, the first level of review will be at the college level. At
all levels of review, the recommendations shall be immediately copied to the
affected program for an opportunity to respond to the next level of review.
Refer to flow diagram for further clarification.
College Level Review (administrative and committee reviews occur simultaneously)
College Curriculum Committee Review
The appropriate college curriculum committee or other college level committee
designated for this purpose shall review the proposed suspension and provide
commentary and a recommendation regarding the proposal to either the University
Curriculum Committee (UCC), in the case of an undergraduate program, or the
Graduate Council, in the case of a graduate program. The college level review
shall assure that students currently enrolled in the degree program proposed
for suspension have been informed of the proposal and have had an opportunity
to provide commentary on the proposal. The college level review shall be completed
within 30 academic days of receipt of the proposal.
College Dean Review
Simultaneously with the College Level Review, the appropriate college dean will
conduct a review of the proposed suspension. The dean will provide commentary
and a recommendation to the Joint Council of Deans and Faculty Leaders (Joint
Council) within 30 academic days of receipt of the proposal.
University Level Review (UCC/Grad. Council and Joint Council reviews
occur simultaneously)
UCC/Graduate Council Review
The UCC or Graduate Council, as appropriate, shall review the proposed suspension
and forward commentary and a recommendation to the Academic Senate within 30
academic days of receipt of the proposal.
Joint Council Review
Simultaneously with the UCC/Graduate Council Review, the Joint Council shall
review the proposed suspension and forward commentary and a recommendation to
the Vice President for Academic Affairs within 30 academic days of receipt of
the proposal.
Academic Affairs/Senate Level Review (Academic Affairs and Academic
Senate reviews occur simultaneously)
Academic Senate Review
The Academic Senate will review the proposed suspension and forward commentary
and a recommendation to the President within 30 academic days of receipt of
the proposal.
Vice President Review
Simultaneously with the Academic Senate review, the Vice President of Academic
Affairs will review the proposed suspension and forward commentary and a recommendation
to the President within 30 academic days of receipt of the proposal.
Presidential Level Review
The President shall review all supporting documentation and determine whether
the academic program will be suspended and if the decision is to suspend then
a maximum length of suspension must be specified (not to exceed 5 years). The
Presidential Review shall be completed within 30 academic days.
Maximum Time Limits for the Review Phase (lengths of time listed below are for
the academic time period, exclusive of the summer term)
Maximum time limits for Response Phase: 40 academic days
Maximum time limits for Review Phase:
College Level 30 academic days
Joint council/UCC Level 30 academic days
VPAA/Senate Level 30 academic days
President 30 academic days
Draft by Joint UCC/Educational Policies Subcommittee
Draft presented to UCC
2/26/02 Draft presented to academic senate for discussion
3/7/02 Draft revised by Joint UCC/Educational Policies Subcommittee
3/26/02 Revised draft approved by UCC
3/29/02 Revisions made at Senate Executive Level