Program Closures
Program Closure Policy and Procedures
Mount Ida College
March 10, 2003
The Vice President for Academic Affairs is responsible for administratively managing proposals for the discontinuance of existing academic degree programs for all schools and institutes at Mount Ida College. The Vice President will work with the School Directors and the President as well as the Academic Committee of the Board of Trustees on any program discontinuances that may be proposed. The Vice President may also propose program closures where the criteria (below) or program reviews indicate that that action is in the best interests of the College.
The process of program closure begins with a request from the original sponsoring school director. The proposal for program closure should indicate the intent of discontinuance by proposing the same to the School Directors group. The School Directors will then recommend an action to the Vice President for Academic Affairs who will in turn make a recommendation to the President and Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees if appropriate.
Once the School Directors inform the Vice President for Academic Affairs that they support a recommendation for a proposal to close a program, a comment period of 10 business days will be instituted wherein members of the faculty and staff may make comments to the School Director who proposed the program closure. When the Vice President for Academic Affairs is told that a program closure recommendation is forthcoming, he will consult with the Vice President for Enrollment Management and other staff and administrators as appropriate. The comments received during the comment period will be incorporated into the program closure proposal prior to the formal recommendation for closure to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The proposal must also include a fully approved Recommendation for Program Closure Form (See Attached).
Once a program closure is recommended, and only in cases where the Vice President for Academic Affairs supports the recommendation, consultation will occur with the Chair of the Curriculum Committee. Decisions to discontinue programs will be implemented by the Vice President of Academic Affairs working with the proposing school, Registrar's Office and other areas to support appropriate phase-out as required by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.[1]
Proposals for discontinuance of a degree program must include discussions of the following:
The pattern of enrollment (e.g., a consistent pattern of low enrollment would be a key reason to discontinue a program)
Evidence of low market value for the degree (e.g. employment and job market potential are not viable)
Impacts on the physical plant and equipment including the affects of closure on library and information technology, computational facilities, clinical, cooperative, or internship arrangements Discussion about the fit of the program with mission and strategic direction of the College Provisions for teach-out, with special reference to the impact on affected students
For programs that involve articulation with other institutions, a clear description of the impacts of discontinuation should be provided
Potential for negative impact on enrollment flow and admissions and the existence of baccalaureate options for students and potential students at the College
Discussion of the faculty and staff issues involved in program closure
Approved by the School Directors: 3/10/2003
Approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs: 3/25/2003
Approved by the President: 3/25/2003
[1] At Standard 4.6 NEASC requires the following: "When programs are eliminated or program requirements are changed, the institution makes appropriate arrangements for enrolled students so that they may complete their education with a minimum of disruption."