Academic Planning

As required by the University of Colorado Administrative Policy Statement 1019, all degree programs at the university are to undergo thorough review at least once every seven years. The academic program review process is managed by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs in conjunction with the Graduate School. Where appropriate, reviews by external specialized program accreditors can substitute for the internal program review.  Campus Administrative Policy 1000 provides specific requirements for degree program review.

Campus Administrative Policy 1040 outlines procedures for the establishment of centers and institutes.  A proposal for a new center or institute must include a program plan, a five-year revenue and expenditure budget, and bylaws that address the governance and leadership structure and control provisions. More detailed information is provided within the campus policy.

Individuals are encouraged to seek support early in the proposal development process. Help is available for drafting the program plan, budget model, and bylaws.  Contact Jill Taylor for more information.

New Degree Programs

Procedures for the development and approval of new degree programs are outlined in University of Colorado Administrative Policy Statement 1038 and the Supplement to Campus Administrative Policy 1001.  Degree program proposals must be reviewed at the campus level by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance and recommended by the Chancellor. At the system level, new degree proposals are reviewed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the University Affairs Committee of the Board of Regents before they are sent to the full Board of Regents for approval.

Following approval by the Board of Regents, the Vice President for Academic Affairs forwards the proposal to the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), which reviews the program to ensure it is consistent with the institution’s role and mission.

Note that public meetings of the full Board of Regents are held only five times each year (usually February, April, June, September and November) and meetings of the University Affairs Committee are scheduled approximately one month before these meetings.  Proposals that have received campus approval must be submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs several weeks before the scheduled meeting of the University Affairs Committee.

Before a proposal can be advanced to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, it must be approved by:

1. Dean of the school/college offering the program
2. For graduate degree proposals, the Graduate School Dean and Graduate Council
3. Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs
4. Chancellor

The Supplement to Campus Administrative policy 1001 outlines the procedure for obtaining approval of a proposal at the campus level.  Faculty who wish to submit a proposal for a new degree must work with the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs as well as the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance to develop the proposal. 

Individuals are encouraged to seek support early in the proposal development process. Help is available for drafting the proposal, including the budget model.  Contact Jill Taylor for more information.

Degree Program Discontinuance

The formal discontinuance of a degree program must be approved by the Board of Regents. Procedures are outlined in University of Colorado Administrative Policy Statement 1015 and Campus Administrative Policy 1025.

Degree Program Name Changes

Proposals for renaming a degree program must be submitted by the dean of the school/college and include a) the justification of the name change; b) the impact on students and faculty; c) any reorganization of personnel and implications on budget; d) any approvals required from school or college committees; and e) any additional input from students currently enrolled in the degree, faculty or other constituents.

After evaluation by the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, the proposal is forwarded to the Chancellor for approval. Following approval by the chancellor, documents supporting the name change are submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for the University of Colorado system who coordinates notification of the change to the University Affairs Committee of the Board of Regents.

See Campus Administrative Policy 1001.

New Academic Units

A proposal to establish a new academic unit (defined by Regent Law as a school, college, or department that rosters tenured and/or tenure track faculty and offers at least one degree program) must be approved by the Board of Regents.

Before a proposal can be submitted for regent approval, it must be reviewed by the Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance and the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and recommended by the Chancellor.

A proposal to establish an academic unit that does not meet the definition provided in Regent Law is subject to approval by the Chancellor but does not require regent approval.

See Campus Administrative Policy 1001.

Academic Unit Discontinuance

The formal discontinuance of an academic unit (defined by Regent Law as a school, college, or department that rosters tenured and/or tenure track faculty and offers at least one degree program) must be approved by the Board of Regents.  Procedures are outlined in University of Colorado Administrative Policy Statement 1015 and Campus Administrative Policy 1025.

Academic Unit Name Changes

Proposals for renaming an academic department must come from the dean of the school/college and include a) the justification of the name change; b) the impact on students and faculty; c) any reorganization of personnel and implications on budget; d) any approvals required from school or college committees; and e) any additional input from faculty or other constituents.

The proposal should be submitted to the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs. The Chancellor has approval authority. If the academic unit falls within the Regent definition of an academic unit, documents supporting the name change will be sent to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for the University of Colorado who coordinates notification of the change to the University Affairs Committee of the Board of Regents.

If the academic unit is not considered an academic unit according to the Regent definition (a school, college, or department that rosters tenured and/or tenure track faculty and offers at least one degree program), Board of Regents notification is not required.

See Campus Administrative Policy 1001.