Section D. Undergraduate Curriculum Modifications: Policies and Procedures
The Curriculum Committee of the Faculty has the responsibility for establishing and processing curricular modifications for undergraduate programs. Each year during the fall semester, the Committee will establish and communicate to the Faculty a final date in October or November for course or program alterations to ensure that they are included in the schedule of courses and the Keuka Record for the following year.
All curricular change proposals should be submitted electronically via the current curriculum management system (CMS). Should the members of the Curriculum Committee have questions not answered by the proposals, they may invite various individuals to the meetings to address these concerns. In its monthly report, the Curriculum Committee will inform the Faculty of proposals that will be brought to the faculty meeting for consideration. Faculty are expected to review the electronic proposals prior to each Faculty meeting.
The Curriculum Committee is charged with reviewing and approving any of the following:
(1) Addition, change, and/or deletion of academic programs (e.g., Major, concentration within a Major, Minor, or certificate).
(2) Additions of new courses and deletions of old courses.
(3) Changes to a course title, course number, course credit, course description, course prerequisites, or designation of course as liberal arts.
(4) Creation of a topics course, a Student Initiated Major or Minor (SIM), or a Group Field Period®.
I. Procedure for Submitting and Distributing Curricular Change Proposals
All proposals will be submitted via the CMS using the appropriate form. Submissions must be made by the deadline established by the Curriculum Committee to ensure placement in the College Record for the upcoming academic year. Once submitted, these proposals are available for review by any Faculty member.
II. The Currency of Academic Programs
An academic, credit-bearing course, when approved by the Keuka College Faculty, becomes effective on the date indicated on the proposal and may be offered in any subsequent term. If the course is not offered within five years, the course must be reviewed by the division for consideration for continued inclusion. If, after review, the division wishes to continue to consider the course current, it should notify the Curriculum Committee in writing of this decision and its rationale. Otherwise, the division should delete the course using the electronic Delete Course Form.
III. Policy on Course Designation as Liberal Arts
Liberal Arts courses provide primarily general or theoretical knowledge and are independent of specific application. These courses are designed to develop students’ judgment and understanding about our relationship to the social, cultural, and natural facets of our environment. Liberal Arts and Sciences courses are traditionally those from the humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, and social sciences. Majors leading to Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees should have a minimum of 90 credits (3/4) of the students' courses in Liberal Arts, and majors leading to Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees should have a minimum of 60 credits (1/2) of courses designated as Liberal Arts. The following would indicate that a course is eligible for designation as Liberal Arts:
1. Presents a theoretical understanding of the subject area
2. Both breadth and scope in principle are covered
3. Encourages ways of thinking that are relevant across disciplines
4. Is not directed toward specific professional or technical objectives
Divisions wishing to request a designation of Liberal Arts for a course should do so using the Change Course Form available in the electronic CMS. Rationale should clearly describe how the course meets the Liberal Arts criteria listed above. Faculty should consult NYSED guidelines for additional details.
IV. Policy and Procedures for Changes in the Curriculum:
A. Course additions, deletions, or changes.
All course-related curricular changes will be reviewed and approved by the curriculum committee.
1. For substantial changes, faculty will have a 30-day review period after the proposal is submitted to the Curriculum Committee to provide comments. Substantial changes are defined as:
a) Creation of a new course
b) Substantial change in course description
c) Change in number of credits
d) Change in prerequisites
e) Change in course number
2. For relatively minor course changes, the curriculum committee may approve or reject the proposal without full faculty review. Minor changes are defined as:
a) Change in course title
b) Minimal change in course description
c) Designation as a liberal arts course
d) Special Topics course offering
e) Course deletion
3. Requests for designation as a General Education Course will be evaluated by the General Education Committee
4. Forms for Course Changes
a) To Create a New Course, use the New Course Form in the electronic CMS.
b) To Change a Course, use the Change Course Form in the electronic CMS.
c) To Delete a course, use the Delete Course Form in the electronic CMS.
B. Program Changes
1. All undergraduate program changes, after approval by the Curriculum Committee, will be voted on by the full faculty. Program changes include:
a) Change of requirements for a Major, Minor, or concentration
b) Addition of a Minor
c) Addition of a concentration
2. Any new courses or course changes associated with a program change must be accompanied by the appropriate Change Course or New Course Forms.
Any program change that affects more than one-third of the program credits must be submitted to the New York State Education Department for review and approval. The proposing division must work with the appropriate administrative officer to complete and submit the required materials. If the proposed changes also affect a graduate program, the proposal must also be considered by the Graduate Programs Committee.
C. To Propose a New Academic Program
New academic programs are generated by Faculty, but suggestions can also be generated through the Enrollment Steering Committee (ESC) based on perceived demand and market potential. Prior to submitting a formal proposal, any new program idea will undergo an initial review to ensure that the idea has sufficient merit and potential for success so as to warrant the development of a full proposal. This process will take place as follows:
1. The proposing entity will prepare a program summary that shall consist of the
following components:
a. Name of proposed new program
b. Rationale for proposing new program
c. Summary of curriculum, which would include any new courses that would need to be developed
d. Brief description of program demand
e. Projected program costs, including new Faculty and equipment
This program summary will be presented to the Provost/Academic Council by the program champion. The Provost, after considering input from Academic Council and Division Chairs, will determine whether the new program idea has sufficient merit to proceed with a feasibility study and market analysis.
2. Upon approval by the Provost, the proposed program will be submitted for a market analysis study. The ESC will review this study and, after consultation with the proposal champion, will provide a written report to the Provost summarizing any recommendations related to the potential for attracting new students.
3. After reviewing the report from the ESC, and after consultation with the Academic Council and the appropriate division chair(s) or program champion, the Provost will determine whether to request a full program proposal.
4. If requested, a full program proposal will be prepared by the Faculty program champion using the New Program Form within the CMS. New Course Forms also must be submitted for each new course that will be developed in support of the program.
5. The proposing entity will prepare a program summary that shall consist of the following components:
a. Name of proposed new program
b. Rationale for proposing new program
c. Summary of curriculum, which would include any new courses that would need be developed
d. Brief description of program demand
e. Projected program costs, including new Faculty and equipment
f. Keuka College Board of Trustees. The proposing entity will prepare a program summary that shall consist of the following components:
• Name of proposed new program
• Rationale for proposing new program
• Summary of curriculum, which would include any new courses that would need to be developed
• Brief description of program demand
• Projected program costs, including new Faculty and equipment
This program summary will be presented to the Provost/Academic Council by the program champion. The Provost, after considering input from Academic Council and Division Chairs, will determine whether the new program idea has sufficient merit to proceed with a feasibility study and market analysis.
6. Upon approval by the Provost, the proposed program will be submitted for a market analysis study. The ESC will review this study and, after consultation with the proposal champion, will provide a written report to the Provost summarizing any recommendations related to the potential for attracting new students.
7. After reviewing the report from the ESC, and after consultation with the Academic Council and the appropriate division chair(s) or program champion, the Provost will determine whether to request a full program proposal.
8. If requested, a full program proposal will be prepared by the Faculty program champion using the New Program Form within the CMS. New Course Forms also must be submitted for each new course that will be developed in support of the program.
9. After submission by the program champion, the proposal will go through the appropriate chain of approvals, which will include:
• Division Chair(s): This will include the sponsoring division, as well as any others that might be impacted
• Curriculum Committee or Graduate Programs Committee
• Faculty (as verified by Faculty Secretary)
• Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
• President
• Keuka College Board of Trustees
10. The program champion will work with the appropriate College administrator to complete and submit the New York State Education Department (NYSED) paperwork for approval of new academic programs.
11. After NYSED approval, the Registrar will list the new program in the College Record.
V. Policy for Approval of Student-Initiated Major (SIM) Proposal
Student-Initiated Majors are interdisciplinary Majors designed by the student in conjunction with a Faculty committee that reflect his/her own educational objectives and career interest. The candidate must prepare a proposal for the SIM in coordination with the SIM Committee, which must then be approved by the Curriculum Committee, as described in the policies and procedures found in the College Record.