6201:10
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Policy #    6201:10
Subject:     Program Discontinuance
Section:     Academic Affairs
Effective:   June 14, 1994

The purpose of this policy is to establish a process for discontinuing programs of study.

1. Programs may be targeted for review under any of the following conditions:
   1. Questionable employer satisfaction with graduates;
   2. Lack of progress toward meeting national standards;
   3. A significant declining trend in enrollment, placement, or completion rate which is less than the targeted enrollment established by the management team of the college for two consecutive years, or a pattern of unstable enrollment with dips below the targeted enrollment in three of the past five years;     Or
   4. To address restructuring objectives established by the management team of the college.

 

2. If a program is targeted for review, the college shall perform the review using the data of the most recent program evaluation.  The information should be supplemented as appropriate.  If more than three years have passed since the most recent program review, a review should be conducted using the MCCS Program Evaluation Process and Criteria.  Concurrent with the initiation of the review, notification should be made to the System President that the program has been targeted for review.  After the review, the college shall take one of the following actions:
   1. Initiate changes designed to eliminate the unacceptable characteristics listed above within a specified time frame but not more than two years.  The program of corrective actions must contain specific goals and objectives which must be achieved.  The corrective action plan must be forwarded to the System President. Or
   2. Initiate the process for recommending termination of the program in a manner that will reflect the college's commitment to the students and faculty.

3. The process for notification of appropriate parties leading to final action by the Board of Trustees is as follows:
   1. The college president shall notify the Presidents' Council that a program(s) has been identified for discontinuance.  Concurrently, the vice-president of the college shall notify the other college vice presidents of the proposed action.
   2. The Presidents' Council will consider the proposed program discontinuance and recommend a course of action to the System President.
   3. The System President will forward a recommendation relative to the program discontinuation to the Educational Policy Committee of the Board of Trustees.
   4. The Educational Policy Committee will review the recommended action and present a resolution to the Board of Trustees for consideration.
4. Final action to discontinue a program of study at any of the colleges of the Maine Community College System can only be taken by the Board of Trustees.

Last changed: Feb 25 2008 at 12:55 PM