Memorandum
To: Deans, Department Heads and Undergraduate Coordinators
From: Frank Abrams
Subject: 10 Year Course and Curriculum Review Moratorium for 1998-1999.
The work of the Ad Hoc Committee on Undergraduate Academic Program Development and Review Process Improvement, chaired by Dr. Robert Serow, has resulted in the realization of a potential for improvement in our curriculum and course review processes. (See: http://www2.ncsu.edu/ncsu/provost/info/academic_programs/procedur/procimpr/).
This committee recommends that departments regularly review their program offerings (courses, curricula), making improvements as needed along the way, and that on a five-year cycle, a self-study and comprehensive review is done. The Department of History has successfully completed a pilot review during Spring 1998 and, the Department of Business Management is now engaged in a pilot review for Fall 1998.
Key to this new approach to reviews is the clear establishment of the principles, rules and guidelines that should be adhered to in the development, offering and revision of courses and curricula. Given their charge, the University Courses and Curricula Committee (UCCC) is the very best body to give careful thought to this matter and in doing so, they will require some dedicated time.
Therefore, the UCCC in cooperation with the Office of the Provost has agreed to place a one-year moratorium (Fall 1998 through Spring 1999) on the regularly-scheduled 10-year review of courses and curricula. This review suspension will provide the UCCC time to devote its intellectual energies to the matter of examining the potential of this alternative approach to reviews.
This moratorium will not prevent departments from developing or discontinuing courses nor will they be unable to make necessary course or curriculum revisions.
Course or Curriculum 10-Year Review and/or Revision already "in the pipeline"
All course or curriculum 10-year reviews and revisions that were approved by the college curriculum committee and signed and dated by the college curriculum committee before May 16, 1998 will be accepted for UCCC review
New or Discontinued Course or Curriculum
Any new or discontinued course or curriculum will be accepted for UCCC review.
Course or Curriculum Revision
Any necessary revision(s) to a course or curriculum will be accepted for UCCC review.
Necessary revisions include changes that affect the information included in the Undergraduate Catalog and the Spring 1999, Summer I & II 1999, Fall 1999 and Spring 2000 TRACS (Schedule of Courses).
During this moratorium, Registration and Records has been instructed not to drop any course whose 10 year review has not been submitted at its scheduled time.
All 1998-1999 actions should be submitted according to the current system which includes providing 23 copies with appropriate signatures.
Any questions or concerns should be directed to: judy_austin@ncsu.edu or call her at Academic Affairs, Office of the Provost at 515-9769.
My sincere appreciation for your cooperation during this period.