CURRICULUM COMMITTEE CHARTER AND BYLAWS

Transcription

1 CURRICULUM COMMITTEE CHARTER AND BYLAWS PURPOSE The purpose of the curriculum committee is to review curriculum and program requirements to ensure academic integrity across Bates Technical College. The committee may recommend action providing recommendations to faculty, instructional deans, and the Vice President of instruction. FUNCTIONS The curriculum committee functions are to provide recommendations on the following: Approval of new courses. Approval of major changes (refer to definition below) in existing course (i.e. change in credit, change in course level, significant change in course content, etc.). Instructional related activities and procedures (e.g. academic freedom, rigor, learning outcome, assessment). Efforts to review syllabi and improve master course outlines. Compliance with industry-based accreditation guidelines. Appeals requesting exceptions to established academic standards. DEFINITIONS Changes to the existing curricula are categorized as either major or minor by both the state and more specifically as it relates to Bates Technical College. The following items are defined as major curricular changes: Substantial changes in the content of a course or program o Substantive change is a significant modification or expansion of the nature and scope of an accredited institution. Under federal regulations, substantive change includes The addition of courses or programs that represent a significant departure, either in content or method of delivery, from those that were offered when the institution was last evaluated. The addition of courses or programs of study at a degree or credential level different from that, which is included in the institution s current accreditation or reaffirmation. A change from clock hours to credit hours. A substantial increase in the number of clock or credit hours awarded for successful completion of a program. 1

2 Entering into a collaborative academic arrangement that includes only the initiation of a dual or joint academic program with another institution. Entering into a contract by which an entity not eligible for Title IV funding offers 25% or more of one or more of the accredited institution s programs. Changes to the number of credits that affect the total program credits. Changes to the general education courses in a career training program. Restoration of a program that has been inactive or deleted. The following items are defined as minor curricular changes: Changes to a course title. Changes to the lecture/lab ratios of a course. Change in credits of individual courses (that do not affect total program credits in a career training program). Addition or changes in prerequisites. Rewording course description, which does not substantially alter the course content. MEMBERSHIP The committee is faculty-driven. Voting members consist of one tenured faculty member from within each instructional area. Each voting member will attempt to provide a qualified replacement when a member cannot attend. In the case of a voting member s absence, the replacement may vote with a written proxy from the absent member or with prior permission from the chair. The committee will be supported by the Vice President of Instruction and non-voting members. Supporting teaching and learning will be represented by the Registrar and the Director of Institutional Research. An executive assistant shall be assigned by the Vice President of Instruction to support through meeting notes and clerical support. INSTRUCTIONAL AREAS TO BE REPRESENTED ABE/HS General Education Library Online Education Information Technology/Engineering Health Sciences Construction/Manufacturing Public Safety/Transportation Business/Retail/Wholesale Broadcast/Audio Visual Child Studies/ECE 2

3 TERMS OF OFFICE A curriculum committee member s term of office shall be two years (renewable). If a committee member is unable to complete his/her term of office, the instructional area involved will elect a replacement to complete the term. Temporary vacancies will be filled by election or appointment by the instructional dean as determined within each instructional area. Instructional deans are not eligible for election to the curriculum committee. Voting members of the committee will accept nominations for the office of chair-elect and vote by simple majority to elect a new chair-elect every two years. When the current chair s term ends, the chair-elect becomes the new chair and voting will take place to install a new chair-elect. Hence, the term of office for the chair will be one year after having served one year as the chair-elect. Three unexcused absences of a curriculum committee member would remove that member from the committee. An excused absence would be an , call or notification to the executive assistant or the curriculum committee chair. In the event that the office of the chair falls vacant before their term ends, the chairelect will become the new chair. All regular terms of service will begin with the first committee meeting of a new academic year, in the fall quarter. A parliamentarian from an outside source may be appointed by the chair or by request of the membership. DUTIES OF THE CHAIRPERSON The chair will call the committee into session and provide an agenda. In the event of the chair s absence, the chair-elect will fulfill those duties. An executive assistant will record and publish meeting minutes and keep a file of all matters considered and decided by the committee. The chair may invite interested members of the campus community, such as advisors, deans, etc. to sit with the committee on an ad hoc basis. Any person or persons may request to be placed on the agenda for the purpose of addressing the committee on an issue. MEETINGS Regular curriculum committee meetings will be held monthly unless cancelled by the chair and/or vote of the committee. Additional meetings or work sessions may be convened by the chair. Meetings are open, and visitors may have the opportunity to speak on any item on the agenda at the discretion of the meeting chair. 3

4 VOTING No meeting of the committee will be considered official if less than a simple majority of its voting members is present as a quorum. All matters before the committee will be decided by a simple majority vote of the members present. Suspension of the committee rules will require a two-thirds majority of those members present. Typical Items Requiring a Vote (Major Changes) substantial significant change to course content (see document major vs. minor change) new courses or programs changes in one program/course that may affect other programs/courses Typical Items Not Requiring a Vote (Minor Changes) course name changes course number changes minor changes in course description for clarification in catalog not significantly changing course content noncredit course pilot courses PROCEDURES Roberts Rules of Order will be used in all meetings. Proposals and items for consideration must be submitted to the committee secretary ten calendar days in advance of the meeting. Proposals and items of consideration not meeting the deadline may be discussed, but no decision may be rendered; any exceptions to this rule must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the committee. Proposed agendas and necessary paperwork for each meeting will be circulated to the committee members at least five working days in advance of each meeting. A proposal will be placed on a meeting agenda only if it meets the following criteria; o The proper forms are completed accurately and fully. o The original should be sent to the committee chair as well as an or hard copy for distribution purposes, ten calendar days prior to the next meeting. The departmental representative will present the nature and merit of his/her department's course or program proposal to the committee on the first reading. 4

5 BYLAWS The committee will review and make recommendations concerning all new curriculum and review noncredit courses and programs (information only). o The curriculum will fulfill a students need for their respective programs, general education requirements, satisfy the requests of members of the community for particular technical or business occupations, or offer courses that contribute to an enrichment of student life. o General education courses must be reviewed for transferability Approved proposals with attached syllabus will be forwarded to the Vice President of Instruction; final approval will be based on compliance with syllabi policy. Non-approved proposals will be returned to the originator for resubmission. The committee will make all recommendations to the Vice President of Instruction. The curriculum committee will draft its own bylaws covering day-to-day operation, schedules, and procedures. This set of bylaws will become the working document of the committee upon approval by twothirds of the committee members present during a scheduled committee meeting. Amendments to the bylaws may be proposed by any member of the committee. An amendment proposal must be submitted in writing to the committee ten working days prior to the meeting. Passage of the amendment will require the approval of two-thirds of the members when a quorum is present. 5