Faculty Senate

Curriculum Review

The faculty have prerogatives over the prescription of the curriculum, the granting of degrees, and other related matters.

The Faculty Senate recommends, in accordance with regulations of the Board of Regents of Higher Education, the general requirements for graduation, including total credits required, credits required in work outside the department or school of specialization, and such other provisions as shall affect the general education of graduates of the institution; and approve recommendations for specific curricular changes submitted by faculty in the various schools or departments through the Academic Standards and Curriculum Review Committee (ASCRC) and Graduate Council.

Curriculum changes are submitted to the Faculty Senate Office in the fall of each year for review by ASCRC and Graduate Council. These committees assure that the proposed changes meet current academic policy and standards. The committee chairs present a seconded motion to the Faculty Senate in November and December to be included in the following year's catalog. After Senate approval, the Provost's Office coordinates Board of Regents' approval of Level I and II program changes. 

Steps for online review:

Step one - Department prepares a digital copy of the form (see Forms and Instructions). A single course form may be used for courses with the same change and justification. Be sure to include catalog language for each course.

Step two (course/ gen ed/ writing/ program modification form) -paper copy is printed and signed by the chair, other affected programs and the dean, then the ORIGINAL and ONE COPY are submitted to the Senate Office, UH 221 along with an email attachment to camie.foos@mso.umt.edu or a DIGITAL COPY of the form, summary and syllabus if applicable.

Step two (level I program/level II Regential form, including additional BOR forms & documentation [see instructions on Provost's web site]) - paper copy is printed and signed by the chair, other affected programs, and the dean, then submitted to the Provost's Office for preliminary approval. Make sure the proposals are complete. Level I proposals require a BOR Level I Program Change Request Form. Level II proposals require a Level II Program Change Request Form, Cover/signature page, and New Academic Program Proposal summary, if applicable. After approval by the associate provost a signed COPY is submitted to the Senate Office with a DIGITAL COPY. The Provost's Office maintains the original.

Step three - The proposal(s) are logged, the digital copy and summary are posted to the Senate's web site under the appropriate subcommittee (ASCRC department-subcommittee list / Graduate Council department -subcommittee list), and a copy is given to the subcommittee chair. The department may review the web site at anytime to assure accuracy and completeness of the information. Go to Curriculum Review ASCRC or Graduate Council review items and choose the subcommittee.

Step four - The subcommittee reviews the online proposals, prepares and presents a consent agenda to ASCRC or Graduate Council, and discusses problem forms with the committee. After the proposals have been approved the subcommittee chair gives their copy to the Associate Registrar.

Step five - The subcommittee chair follows-up on any problems and presents resolutions to ASCRC or Graduate Council. Requesters are invited to a meeting if necessary. Revised forms are submitted if marjor revisions are required.  Otherwise, changes are made on teh form by the subcommittee chair and given to the senate administrative associate to update the posted digital copy. 

Step six - The senate administrative associate creates the curriculum consent agenda (seconded motion) for the curriculum committee chairs.  The chairs may attend and ECOS meeting to discuss the approved items prior to the Senate meeting. The curriculum consent agenda is posted to the Faculty Senate web site for the November and December meetings.

Step seven - After the consent agenda is approved by the Faculty Senate, the Registrar's Office updates the catalog from the posted forms. The senate administrative associate sends curriculum change approval notices to the requestor, department chair, dean, provost, and Registrar's Office. The approved curriculum motions are maintained on the Faculty Senate web site.

Step eight - After Faculty Senate approval, The Provost's Office coordinates Board of Regents' approval of  Level I and II proposals.