Appendix E

1/23/18

SENATE COMMITTEE ON CURRICULAR AFFAIRS

Guidelines for Academic Program Information Appearing in the University Bulletin

(Legislative)

Implementation: Upon Approval by the Senate

Rationale:

On March 4, 1980, the University Faculty Senate approved “Guidelines for Writing Program Descriptions for the Catalog” with the intent of ensuring program information in the Baccalaureate Degree Programs Bulletin and the Associate Degree Programs Bulletin would clearly serve as informational tools and official documents for the university community and to be compatible with federal regulations regarding descriptive materials of academic programs.  Though several decades have passed and the Bulletin has transformed from a print version to the digital format, many of the original recommendations remain relevant.

Currently, the university is implementing a new digital bulletin.  Thus, it is a well-timed opportunity to adjust wording to better reflect the intent of the contents.  At this time, the removal of redundant or contradictory statements is desired.  For durability in these guidelines and to address variability in navigating the curricular pathway, the removal of reference to a time line for submitting proposals is also appropriate.

The Bulletin provides students with the appropriate information and approved curricular requirements needed to fulfill general education requirements and to pursue a program(s) of study.  Because curriculum is dynamic, the university reserves the right to change the requirements and regulations contained in the bulletin to reflect the most current approved curriculum.

Recommendat­ion:

It is recommended that the March 4, 1980 “Guidelines for Writing Program Descriptions for the Catalog” be replaced by “Guidelines for Academic Program Information Appearing in the University Bulletin” as follows to provide clarity for the Bulletin representing the approved curriculum.

Please note that the following contains bold text for additions and strikeouts indicating deleted text. Deleted text is notated with [Delete] [End Delete]. Added text is notated in with [Add] [End Add].

  1. A program description should be limited to about 200 words, or approximately 15 lines in the [Delete] catalog [End Delete] [Add] bulletin [End Add]. If there are options or additional bona fide special features (e.g. dual degree programs, co-cooperative programs such as work-study), descriptions of these should be limited to an additional 75 words each, or 5 additional lines in the [Delete] catalog [End Delete] [Add] bulletin [End Add].    [Delete] (Approximately 30, or one-forth, of the program descriptions exceed the word limitation.) [End Delete]
  2. The content of program descriptions should be limited to
    1. A statement of program objectives;
    2. Fields of study within the major, emphasizing any unique aspects or facilities specifically related to this program;
    3. Requirements and any recommendations or limitations regarding competencies, skills, or abilities needed for admission, retention, transfer, and graduation;
    4. Total credits necessary for graduation;
    5. If space remains, a general statement about subsequent academic or professional work in the field.
  3. The program description should contain only straightforward objective language, not generalized, colorful, or vague statements which might be ambiguous or misleading.
  4. An addition of the following disclaimer now in the catalog:

    REGULATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

    The educational process necessitates change.  [Delete] This bulletin must be considered as informational and not binding on the University. [End Delete]

    Each step of the educational process, from admission through graduation, requires continuing review and appropriate approval by University officials.  The University, therefore, reserves the right to change the requirements and regulations contained in this bulletin and to determine whether a student has satisfactorily met its requirements for admission or graduation, and to reject any applicant for admission for any reason the University determines to be material to the applicant’s qualifications to pursue higher education.  NOTHING IN THIS [Delete] CATALOG[End Delete] [Add] BULLETIN [End Add] SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A GUARANTEE THAT COMPLETION OF A UNIVERSITY PROGRAM AND GRADUATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY WILL RESULT IN EMPLOYMENT.

    1. Although these guidelines are for the baccalaureate and associate degree programs, all program descriptions in all [Delete] catalogs [End Delete] [Add] bulletins [End Add] should be reviewed with these guidelines in mind.

     
    [Delete] 6.  The deadline for submitting revised program descriptions to the Senate Committee on Curricular Affairs for review and approval , and inclusion in the 1982-83 catalog, will be May 1981 Blue Sheet. [End Delete]

    Clean Copy:

    1. A program description should be limited to about 200 words, or approximately 15 lines in the bulletin. If there are options or additional bona fide special features (e.g. dual degree programs, co-cooperative programs such as work-study), descriptions of these should be limited to an additional 75 words each, or 5 additional lines in the bulletin.
    2. The content of program descriptions should be limited to
      1. A statement of program objectives;
      2. Fields of study within the major, emphasizing any unique aspects or facilities specifically related to this program;
      3. Requirements and any recommendations or limitations regarding competencies, skills, or abilities needed for admission, retention, transfer, and graduation;
      4. Total credits necessary for graduation;
      5. If space remains, a general statement about subsequent academic or professional work in the field.
    3. The program description should contain only straightforward objective language, not generalized, colorful, or vague statements which might be ambiguous or misleading.
    4. An addition of the following disclaimer now in the catalog:

      REGULATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

      The educational process necessitates change.

      Each step of the educational process, from admission through graduation, requires continuing review and appropriate approval by University officials.  The University, therefore, reserves the right to change the requirements and regulations contained in this bulletin and to determine whether a student has satisfactorily met its requirements for admission or graduation, and to reject any applicant for admission for any reason the University determines to be material to the applicant’s qualifications to pursue higher education.  NOTHING IN THIS BULLETIN SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A GUARANTEE THAT COMPLETION OF A UNIVERSITY PROGRAM AND GRADUATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY WILL RESULT IN EMPLOYMENT.

      1. Although these guidelines are for the baccalaureate and associate degree programs, all program descriptions in all bulletins should be reviewed with these guidelines in mind.

      SENATE COMMITTEE ON CURRICULAR AFFAIRS

      • Michael Bartolacci
      • Arthur Berg
      • Laurie Breakey
      • Colleen Connolly-Ahern
      • Michele Duffey, Chair
      • Marc Friedenberg
      • Sharon Holt
      • Kenneth Keiler
      • Suzanna Linn, Co-Vice Chair
      • Robert Melton
      • Mari Pierce
      • Julia Plummer
      • Lisa Posey
      • Ljubisa Radovic
      • Angela Rothrock
      • Robert Shannon
      • Richard Singer
      • Jennifer Sliko
      • Melissa Snyder
      • Evelyn Thomchick
      • Rodney Troester
      • Matthew Wilson, Co-Vice Chair