Policies & Procedures Manual

158

Policy No: 402.10

Policy Contact: Vice President for Instruction

Policy Title: CURRICULUM REVIEW AND REVISION

1. During the fall semester of even-numbered years ad hoc committees will be organized to study each curriculum listed in the College Catalog . Each ad hoc committee will review its assigned curriculum in order to complete the following actions: a. Determine features the curriculum has in common with similar programs at other colleges; b. Determine the ways the curriculum differs from that of similar programs at other colleges; c. Ascertain the strengths and weaknesses of the programs of study; d. Ensure the inclusion of all appropriate core curriculum courses and any other applicable standards which should be in effect; and e. Review the Substantive Change definitions of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) for their applicability to any proposed changes to the curriculum. See their web site for details. 2. In all career and technical curricula, the results of the state-mandated model curriculum review process will be the basis for review. The Craft Committees will also review and react to the ad hoc committees’ recommendations prior to the submission of the recommendations to the full Curriculum Committee. 3. Based on their findings, the ad hoc committees will make recommendations to the regular Curriculum Committee of the College regarding changes, additions, deletions, or need for further study, and/or any substantive change issues that must be reported to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Recommendations from the ad hoc committees will be considered by the Curriculum Committee in odd-numbered years during the spring semester. 4. The ad hoc committees referred to in numbers 1, 2, and 3 will each be composed of five members appointed by the Curriculum Committee Chairperson (with the approval of the Vice President for Instruction) to include the following: a. A curriculum advisor of the program being studied; b. Two other curriculum advisors; c. One faculty member from a different program grouping (academic, technical, or career); and d. One administrator. 5. The standing Curriculum Committee will approve or reject any or all ad hoc committee recommendations and determine whether any substantive change issues that must be reported to SACSCOC are required. The committee will then refer approved recommendations with all completed materials, including SACSCOC issues, to the Instructional Council in odd-numbered years during the spring semester. The President will make the final determination as to whether or not the recommendations should be submitted to the Board of Trustees of the College for consideration and to SACSCOC as a substantive change. 6. The East Central Community College Board of Trustees is responsible for approving the number and types of degrees; the number and nature of departments and divisions through which the curriculum is administered; and the extent to which the institution should offer distance learning programs. Therefore, curriculum changes will be implemented only after the Board of Trustees’ approval and any approvals required by SACSCOC.