Chapter 5
Academic Programs

 

Curriculum Ratification

Curriculum development and approval at SVSU is a collaborative process between SVSU administration and faculty. Although administrative initiatives for new programs are defined in university planning documents, new programs can be proposed by anyone. In fact, new program proposals often come from departments or colleges. Occasionally, as in the case of the Gender Studies minor, interested faculty members from various departments come together to develop a proposal. The proposal for the General Education revision was first initiated by an ad hoc group of interested faculty and administrative staff.

The Faculty Contract locates responsibility for reviewing new academic programs and other curriculum-related matters in Curriculum and Academic Policies Committee (CAPC), the Graduate Committee, and the General Education Committee (GEC). These committees are each composed of six faculty members elected by the faculty at large, one student representative, one academic dean appointed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, and either the VPAA or his/her academic designee, who chairs the committee. These committees have no authority to develop new programs, but are responsible to review submitted proposals. The procedures for submitting curriculum proposals and recommendations to CAPC and these committees are defined in the Faculty Contract.

While not detailed in the contract itself, forms required for the submission of proposals highlight some of the criteria considered in establishing new academic programs. These criteria include the rationale/justification for the proposed program; adequacy of resources (labs, equipment, library, etc.); how additional faculty resources, if necessary, will be obtained; and how the program compares with others at similar institutions. Such proposals must be submitted for revision of existing individual courses, addition of new courses, revision of existing programs, or addition of new programs. Recommendations to delete courses or programs must also go to the appropriate committee.

Proposals are reviewed by the appropriate department(s) and dean(s), and submitted with the recommendations of each to CAPC, GEC, or the Graduate Committee. It is these committees’ responsibility to assess the degree of intellectual rigor, adequacy of resources, consistency with the university’s mission, etc. In evaluating these processes, faculty and deans acknowledge that the need for additional support resources is often downplayed, due to a perception that a proposal will not be approved if additional resources are required. This creates significant problems when programs are implemented.

In the case of proposals that are interdisciplinary or cross the boundaries of a number of departments, such as General Education or the Gender Studies minor, CAPC, Graduate Committee or the GEC may hold forums to promote discussion and obtain faculty input. The committees may also call on faculty to meet with them to discuss proposals being submitted. All matters recommended for approval by CAPC, GEC, or the Graduate Committee are brought to the faculty for ratification and, upon approval of the faculty, are forwarded to the administration for review and response. Over time, the faculty has come to rely on the recommendations of these committees; if votes are unanimous, ratification by the full faculty is usually assured. Occasionally, a committee member will abstain or vote no on a proposal in order to provoke faculty discussion on a matter of concern.

Ratification meetings are scheduled and run by the Faculty Association in consultation with the Academic Affairs Office and the Registrar (to facilitate scheduling). The ratification meetings occur at the end of each semester and the committees set dates for their work to accommodate them.