1. Minor course changes are changes that do not fundamentally alter the nature, function or accessibility of the course, nor impact on the ability of students to complete this or other courses in their program of study. Examples of minor course changes are: updating catalog descriptions, most course number changes, and course title changes.
1. The school dean should be notified of all course changes as soon as possible in the approval process. The school dean, as the Provost's designee will decide whether a change is major or minor. Therefore, to prevent a revision in the major/minor status of a change, it is propitious to verify any changes with the school dean.
2. Minor course changes affecting more than one department also require consultation with the affected departments.
3. Minor course changes affecting departmental majors only require approval of the department offering the course and the appropriate school curriculum committee. Minor course changes in undergraduate, graduate, and in-service teacher education also require approval of the Teacher Education Council (TEC). After approval by the school curriculum committee (and TEC if necessary) it is each committee's responsibility to report its approval to the Executive Assistant to the President, who will inform the necessary University offices and Faculty Senate of the change.
4. For courses required of all University students, or all students pursuing a particular degree (e.g., B.S.E.), approval of the appropriate course and program review committee (Undergraduate Course and Program Review Committee or Graduate Course and Program Review Committee) is also required.
2. Major course changes are changes that fundamentally alter the nature, function or accessibility of the course, or impact on the ability of students to complete this or other courses in their program of study. Examples of major course changes are: adding most new course prerequisites, adding or deleting significant course content (i.e., 'W' or 'Q' designation, requiring off-campus experiences), or changing the number of credits.
1. The school dean should be notified of all course changes as soon as possible in the approval process. The school dean, as the Provost's designee will decide whether a change is major or minor. Therefore, to prevent a revision in the major/minor status of a change, it is propitious to verify any changes with the school dean.
2. If the course is required for majors or minors in other departments, these departments must be consulted.
3. Major course changes require approval of the department offering the course, the appropriate school curriculum committee and the course and program review committee. Major course changes in undergraduate, graduate, and in-service teacher education also require approval of the Teacher Education Council (TEC). When a course is deleted from a department's offerings, or when a label is removed from a course, the chair of the appropriate school committee shall inform the course and program review committee (Undergraduate Course and Program Review Committee or Graduate Course and Program Review Committee) of such action. The chair of the course and program review committee will then communicate that action to Faculty Senate.
4. For courses required of all University students, or all students pursuing a particular degree (e.g., B.S. or B.A.), approval of the appropriate course and program review committee (Undergraduate Course and Program Review Committee or Graduate Course and Program Review Committee) is also required.
3. Minor program changes are changes that do not fundamentally alter the requirements, the length of time, or the academic preparation necessary to complete a particular course of study. Examples of minor program changes are: expanding the number of courses available in an elective block and renaming an option within a major.
1. The school dean should be notified of all program changes as soon as possible in the approval process. The school dean, as the Provost's designee will decide whether a change is major or minor. Therefore, to prevent a revision in the major/minor status of a change, it is propitious to verify any changes with the school dean.
2. If the program change affects majors or minors in other departments, these departments must be consulted.
3. Minor program changes affecting departmental majors only require approval of the department offering the program and the appropriate school curriculum committee. Minor program changes in undergraduate, graduate, and in-service teacher education also require approval of the Teacher Education Council (TEC). After approval by the school curriculum committee (and TEC, if necessary), it is the committee's responsibility to report its approval to the Executive Assistant to the President, who will inform the necessary University offices and Faculty Senate of the change.
4. For minor program changes affecting all University students, or all students pursuing a particular degree, approval of the appropriate course and program review committee (Undergraduate Course and Program Review Committee or Graduate Course and Program Review Committee) is also required.
4. Major program changes are changes that fundamentally alter the requirements, the length of time, or the academic preparation necessary to complete a particular course of study. Examples of major program changes are: adding additional requirements to a major, adding an off-campus field experience, and significantly reducing the variety of courses in an elective block.
1. The school dean should be notified of all program changes as soon as possible in the approval process. The school dean, as the Provost's designee will decide whether a change is major or minor. Therefore, to prevent a revision in the major/minor status of a change, it is propitious to verify any changes with the school dean.
2. If the program change affects majors or minors in other departments, these departments must be consulted.
3. Major changes in a departmental program affecting one or more departments require approval of the school curricular committee and the course and program review committee (Undergraduate Course and Program Review Committee or Graduate Course and Program Review Committee). Major changes in a departmental program involving undergraduate, graduate, and in-service teacher education also require approval of the Teacher Education Council (TEC). The chair of the course and program review committee will then communicate that action to Faculty Senate.
4. For major program changes affecting all University students, or all students pursuing a particular degree, approval of the appropriate course and program review committee (Undergraduate Course and Program Review Committee or Graduate Course and Program Review Committee) is also required.

Go Back to the Governance Manual Table of Contents
Go Back to Section 3 Table of Contents