Curriculum Services

Intent Procedure to Add, Delete, or Change Course(s)

For all Intent emails:

Two weeks for responses are allowed while regular classes are in session.
Curriculum Services will distribute by e-mail using the Intent Distribution List.
Subject area of e-mail will include course number and title after "Intent to". Both numbers for cross listed courses will be listed. 
Syllabus will be included with the course proposal.

Detailed Procedure:

Proposal

  1. The proposer of the new course/course change completes a Course Proposal Form(opens in new window) with attached syllabus.
    1. Proposal for Special Topics(opens in new window).
  2. The form and syllabus are vetted by the Departmental Curriculum Committee, the Department Chair, the College Curriculum Committee, and the Dean of the College where the course would be offered.
  3. Curriculum Services distributes a link to the Course Proposal and syllabus via the Intent list which is open for two weeks for discussion.
  4. Anyone on the intent recipient list is invited and encouraged to ask questions, provide feedback, make an objection, or communicate other relevant information.
  5. It is the responsibility of the college dean (or designee) and/or the chair (or designee) of the department/program proposing the course to respond to any reservations or suggestions received. 

Objections and Resolution

  1. If an objection is made, the Curriculum Coordinator shall assemble the resolution committee and initiate correspondence with the affected departments/program(outside of the Intent List) in an effort to continue discussion and achieve resolution
  2. The resolution committee consists of the following members: the EPPC Chair, the EPPC Vice Chair, the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education and Academic Success, the dean of the college in which the course is situated, and the dean of the college from where the objection originated. 
  3. The resolution committee will review the objection(s) and propose potential changes to the course that may resolve the dispute. They may solicit input from scholars and other authorities versed in the subject matter of the dispute who are not directly involved in the departments/programs or courses. Both departments/programs should meet in good faith to discuss options to resolve the objection(s).
  4. Following discussion, the proposer will have 30 calendar days to submit a revised course proposal or syllabus to the objecting department/program to address concerns. If the submission is at the end of the semester, the course discussion will carry over to the first 30 calendar days of the following semester.
  5. If the objecting department is satisfied with the changes, the course will be resubmitted to the intent list for two weeks.
  6. If no objections are made, or once objections are resolved, Curriculum Services approves the course for entry into PeopleSoft.
  7. If both departments/program are not satisfied after discussion, the resolution committee will refer the course to EPPC for a vote with the option of including recommendations and/or concerns.
  8. Voting in EPPC will follow standard procedure with introduction and action items, requiring two thirds vote for approval of the course. The course proposal cannot be amended and/or rewritten in EPPC, however EPPC may consider a motion to change the yes/no voting option to include substantial revision, in which case EPPC will consider another vote on the course after substantial revisions are made. 
  9. During introduction of the proposal both the objector(s) and proposer(s) with their department chairs are invited to make a short argument. They may call in relevant faculty and/or other speakers to contribute to the discussion.
  10. The respective college deans may attend EPPC as guests to answer questions proposed by EPPC members; they should defer to department chairs to make the case for or against the proposed course.
  11. When considering approval, past precedent should not be a determining factor. Previously approved courses should not hold any bearing on the present decision-making process.
  12. If the course is not approved, it may not be proposed again for one year.

Valid or strong reasons to object to a course include but are not limited to the following:

  • No/extremely underdeveloped student/course learning outcomes
  • Insufficient work/assignments and/or contact time for the units assigned
  • Existing course(s) that are similar in title, description, or scope
  • Unconvincing need for the course
  • Incomplete/unclear course description

Invalid or weak reasons to object to a class include but are not limited to the following:

  • Desire to have different readings/assignments
  • Personal objections to subject matter or instructor

As the process for approving new courses may take considerably longer than two weeks, it is highly recommended that the proposer begin the process several weeks before registration begins in order to account for any objections to be worked out and for the accessibility office to complete its reviews.

Please note that before any new course can appear on the class schedule, Accessible Technology Services will review the materials required for the course and any associated software/technology to ensure they will be accessible for all students.

This document is the property of Academic Affairs and maintained by Curriculum Services