Chapter Nine

Policy and Procedures for Discontinuance of Academic Programs, California State University, Hayward

(80-81 CAPP 6 as amended by 93-94 CIC 5)

A. General Policy

In establishing new programs, the University has been careful to develop curricula which meet student needs and strengthen existing programs. In spite of careful planning, however, we recognize that there will be occasions when it becomes necessary to discontinue programs, e.g., in case of a demonstrable lack of student demand or lack of sufficient funding for a program. In these cases, discontinuance will be effected only after thorough study and review and after insuring that students in the terminated programs are able to complete their degrees. Discontinuation procedures shall apply to major, certificate, minor, and credential programs as well as to formal options within programs.

B. General Procedure

Normally the question of program discontinuance will be raised as a part of a regularly scheduled program review. The question may also be raised by the Provost/Vice President, Academic Affairs or the college dean when it appears that discontinuance should be considered before a program review is scheduled. Programs such as options, minors, and certificates do not require a program review or special dispensation to be proposed for discontinuance.

C. Discontinuance and Regular Performance Review

  1. A proposal for program discontinuance must be evaluated by the affected department/program, the college dean, and the appropriate associate vice presidents. Wherever possible, the evaluations will appear in the program appraisals these offices are required to prepare as part of the regular program review process (e.g., if the question of discontinuance--of an option or a major--is raised in a program self-appraisal, it will be commented on by the college dean and the associate vice presidents will discuss the matter in their analyses of the department/program's and dean's reviews, and the department/program will be asked to respond when the dean's and the associate vice presidents' evaluations reach CAPR). If, on the other hand, discontinuance is not proposed before CAPR begins to formulate its program recommendations, the committee will request all the offices above to prepare a special evaluation of program discontinuance. In both cases, the evaluation will include consideration of the possible impact of discontinuance on faculty and students, availability of similar curricula in the Bay Area, and the relationship of the program to other programs in the University and to the mission and goals of the University.
     
  2. After careful study of all relevant review data and the analyses and recommendations of the reviewing bodies above, CAPR will consider the proposed discontinuance. It will invite department/program faculty and students as well as other interested persons to participate in the discussions on discontinuation.
     
  3. CAPR's recommendation, with appropriate background documents, will be transmitted to CIC for Action. If approved by CIC, the recommendation is forwarded to Executive Committee for placement on the agenda of the Academic Senate. If the recommendation is for program discontinuance, it will indicate how students in the program may complete their programs. CIC will work directly with the department/program in developing specific mechanisms for degree completion.
     
  4. The Academic Senate will recommend to the President on program discontinuance.
     
  5. If the Senate recommends that the program be discontinued, the President will inform the Chancellor of this action and await a review from the Chancellor's Office before acting on the recommendation.
     
  6. After receiving the Chancellor's review, the President will decide whether or not the program is to be discontinued.
     

D. Discontinuance and Special Program Review

  1. The Provost/Vice President, Academic Affairs or the college dean may ask CAPR to consider the question of program discontinuance before a regularly scheduled program review.
     
  2. CAPR will request the department/program where discontinuance is contemplated, the college dean, and the Associate Vice Presidents, Academic Programs/Graduate Studies and Academic Resources/Administration to evaluate the proposal; the evaluation will be the same as that required in a regular program review.
     
  3. After careful study of the evaluations, CAPR will consider the proposed discontinuation. From this point on, all discussion and recommendations on program discontinuance, from CAPR to CIC to the Academic Senate to the President to the Chancellor's Office, will follow the procedures outlined in C. 2., 3., 4., 5., and 6.

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