Graduate and Undergraduate Studies Committee Response to Council of Deans Proposal for Involvement in Academic Program Approvals.

The Graduate and Undergraduate Studies Committees support the idea of a Council of Deans comprised of the deans from each of UD's seven colleges. We would value their input on resource issues for new programs and degrees.

The Council's input on academic programs would be advisory. While their recommendations would be attached to the approval form, they would not replace the individual letters of commitment from deans and chairs of affected programs that are currently required for approvals.

We believe that the Council’s review should come before a proposal reaches the Graduate and Undergraduate Studies Committees. As a practical matter, this means that its review must reach the committees by mid-December if they are to complete their reviews in time to meet the deadlines set for them by the Faculty Senate.

The routing of the University Faculty Senate Form for Academic Program Review would be unchanged under this proposal. The approval by the dean of the college would signify that this proposal was considered, if deemed necessary, by the Council of Deans. As noted above, the Council’s input, if any, would then be attached to the form.