Senate Resolution 08/09-08: POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR TERMINATION OF ACADEMIC PROGRAMS (Update of Passed SB 187)

WHEREAS: SB 187, passed by the Senate in 1988. referred to the School of
Primary Medical Care and used the title "VPAA" for the position
now known as "EVPAA Provost". and

WHEREAS: It is advantageous to update this expression of policy using current

language, and

WHEREAS: Prior to SB 187, the University did not have a policy regarding the
procedure for terminating academic programs, and

WHEREAS: The AAUP Policy Document and Reports. 1990, is the prevailing
resource in matters relating to program termination,

THEREFORE: Be it resolved that the following policy be adopted.

I. Scope of the Policy Statement

This policy statement defines the procedures to be followed in the termination
of academic programs. These procedures should be congruent with those for program
initiation. Also, this policy statement discusses the criteria for terminating academic
programs and the process for reaching such decisions. These criteria follow AAUP.
guidelines.

II. General

The provisions of this section are not intended to prevent the University (UAH)
from altering its educational policies by means other than terminating of
appointments; nor are they intended to encourage major redeployment without due
consultation. Termination of appointments under this section may not be used to
redeploy resources in those cases where attribution over a period of time is a
reasonable alternative. Moreover, any merger, consolidation, or similar reorganization
of two or more units of instruction into a single unit, which continues to provide
instruction in the same or equivalent subject areas, shall not constitute a
discontinuance of the preexisting units that could justify their termination of
appointments under the provisions of this section.

III. Long Range Plans

The establishment and/or termination of colleges, departments or programs must
be in accordance with the long term plans and mission of the University. Full
deliberation by the faculty of the college and of the University must be provided for
in the decision process.

IV. Definition of Programs

For purposes of this section, a program is defined as (a) an independent
administrative, educational, and budgetary unit. which usually corresponds to widely
recognized disciplinary designations; or (b) a college.

V. Factors To Be Considered For Terminating a Program

It is here appropriate to quote AAUP guidelines: "The decision to discontinue
formally a program or department of instruction will be based essentially upon
educational considerations, as determined primarily by the faculty as a whole or an
appropriate committee thereof. [Note: Educational considerations do not include
cyclical or temporary variations in enrollment. They must reflect long-range
judgments that the educational mission of the institution as a whole will be enhanced
by the discontinuance.]

VI. Decision Process For Termination of a Program For Educational Reasons

The Provost or the President may initiate consideration of whether a college shall
terminate a program for educational reasons by referring the matter to the Appropriate Curriculum Committee. Program termination within a college is initiated by the Dean
and appropriate college committee. The Dean presents the college's recommendation
to the Appropriate Curriculum Committee. The Appropriate Curriculum Committee shall
consider whether the termination will serve the educational mission of the University.
In making a recommendation, the committee shall consider the criteria stated in
subsection V, above. After due deliberation, the committee shall make a written
report and recommendation to the Provost concerning the proposal. This
recommendation shall also include a complete evaluation of the academic program in
terms of the number of faculty employed, the tenure commitments of those faculty,
options for placement of faculty within the University, the number of students
pursuing majors in the program and the effect on other academic programs supported
by the program. In performing the duties prescribed by this section, the committees
shall obtain the views of the faculty of the program; of the appropriate faculty and
student committees in the academic unit immediately affected and in the larger
academic unit or units of which it is a part; and of other units of the University which
will be affected by the action. In addition, the committees shall hold at least one open
meeting at which anyone may comment upon the proposed action.

VII. Methods of Notification of Termination
If the President should decide to terminate a program, the Provost shall give each
affected faculty member notice in writing at least one year in advance of the effective
date of program termination.