1290.1 Policy Statement
This Policy provides guidance regarding the inactivation and termination of academic programs. In accordance with state law, the Board of Trustees retains ultimate, final, and overriding authority to inactivate and terminate any academic program.
1290.2 Program Inactivation
Inactivation is when a program continues to operate, but at least temporarily stops admitting new students. Programs may be inactivated when required by law (“mandatory inactivation”) or on the recommendation of specified individuals or groups, as specified below (“discretionary inactivation”).
Mandatory Program Inactivation.
State law requires the inactivation of any program that fails to award at least five (5) degrees in any rolling three (3) year period, on average. For purposes of this policy, the three (3) year lookback period shall not include either (a.) any period prior to the academic year during which the program awards its first degree, or (b.) any period more than three (3) years prior to the effective date of this Policy.
Within thirty (30) days after the last day of Spring Semester (and on other occasions in the Provost’s discretion), the Provost shall identify programs that meet the criteria for inactivation, and inactivate each program. The inactivation of a program pursuant to this Section is approved on behalf of the University by the Provost, and does not require action by the Board. The Provost is not required to solicit or accept advice, feedback, or recommendations from any interested parties. The inactivation takes effect immediately upon notification by the Provost to the Registrar and the academic unit that is responsible for the program.
The Provost shall inform the Board, at the next regular meeting of the Board on or after August 15 of each year (or at such other times as the Board may direct), of any inactivation under this Section. The Board retains authority to override and reverse the Provost’s inactivation of a Program under this Section.
After inactivating a program, the Provost shall notify the Ohio Department of Higher Education (“ODHE”) of the change in status and shall attend to any matters necessary to finalize the Inactivation.
Discretionary Program Inactivation.
A program that does not meet the criteria for mandatory inactivation may be inactivated as follows.
Only the Board, President, Provost, or the senior administrator or curriculum committee of the academic unit that is responsible for a program may initiate the inactivation by written notification to the Provost. The Provost shall promptly inform the Faculty Senate and the academic unit that is responsible for the program of the proposed inactivation. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the Provost shall afford the Faculty Senate not less than thirty (30) days to review the proposal and provide written advice, feedback, and recommendations; the Provost may but is not required to solicit advice, feedback, and recommendations from other interested parties.
The Provost shall forward any such proposal to the Board. Along with the proposal, the Provost:
- Shall inform the Board of the Provost’s own advice, feedback, and recommendations concerning the proposal;
- Shall forward to the Board the written advice, feedback, and recommendations of the Faculty Senate, and may forward the written advice, feedback, and recommendations of other interested parties; and
- May forward to the Board any other information or materials the Provost deems appropriate.
The Board retains decision-making authority regarding the disposition of the proposal. An inactivation approved by the Board is effective immediately. The Provost shall promptly inform the Registrar and the academic unit that is responsible for the program of the approved inactivation. The Provost shall notify ODHE of the change in status and attend to any matter
Exceptions from Mandatory Inactivation
In limited circumstances, state law permits the deferral of the inactivation of a program when the University obtains an exception or waiver from ODHE. The Provost is the only representative of the University who is authorized to apply for an exception or waiver; the Provost shall submit each application to ODHE on their own initiative, or when directed by the Board or President.
The Provost is not required to begin inactivation of a program while an application for an exception or waiver is pending with ODHE, or while an approved exception or waiver is in-force. If the application is withdrawn or disapproved, or if the approved exception or waiver lapses or is terminated, the Provost shall promptly apply the provisions of this Policy concerning inactivation.
1290.3 Program Reactivation
A program that has been inactivated may be reactivated at any time prior to its termination. Only the Board, President, Provost, or the senior administrator or curriculum committee of the academic unit that is responsible for a program may initiate the reactivation by written notification to the Provost. The Provost shall promptly inform the Faculty Senate and the academic unit that is responsible for the program of the proposed reactivation. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the Provost shall afford the Faculty Senate not less than thirty (30) days to review the proposal and provide written advice, feedback, and recommendations, and the Provost may but is not required to solicit advice, feedback, and recommendations from other interested parties.
The Provost shall forward any such proposal to the Board. Along with the proposal, the Provost:
- Shall inform the Board of the Provost’s own advice, feedback, and recommendations concerning the proposal;
- Shall forward to the Board the written advice, feedback, and recommendations of the Faculty Senate, and may forward the written advice, feedback, and recommendations of other interested parties;
- May forward to the Board any other information or materials the Provost deems appropriate.
The Board retains decision-making authority regarding the disposition of the proposal. If the Board approves reactivation of the program, the Provost shall promptly notify ODHE of the Board’s action, and attend to any matters necessary to finalize the reactivation. The reactivation is effective when it has been approved by the Board and ODHE. When reactivation is effective, the Provost shall notify the Registrar and the academic unit that is responsible for the program.
1290.4 Program Termination
Termination is the complete and permanent discontinuation of a program. Programs that are inactivated and that are not reactivated within five (5) years are terminated automatically and without further action by the University.
The University will not terminate a program in which students are actively enrolled, but rather, it will apply the procedures for program inactivation (above).
In other circumstances, only the Board, President, Provost, or the senior administrator or curriculum committee of the academic unit that is responsible for a program may initiate the termination by written notification to the Provost. The Provost shall promptly inform the Faculty Senate and the academic unit that is responsible for the program of the proposed termination. Absent extraordinary circumstances, the Provost shall afford the Faculty Senate not less than thirty (30) days to review the proposal and provide written advice, feedback, and recommendations, and the Provost may but is not required to solicit advice, feedback, and recommendations from other interested parties.
The Provost shall forward any such proposal to the Board. Along with the proposal, the Provost:
- Shall inform the Board of the Provost’s own advice, feedback, and recommendations concerning the proposal;
- Shall forward to the Board the written advice, feedback, and recommendations of the Faculty Senate, and may forward the written advice, feedback, and recommendations of other interested parties; and
- May forward to the Board any other information or materials the Provost deems appropriate.
The Board retains decision-making authority regarding the disposition of the proposal. A termination approved by the Board is effective immediately. The Provost shall promptly inform the Registrar and the academic unit that is responsible for the program of the approved termination. The Provost shall notify ODHE of the change in status, and attend to any matters necessary to finalize the inactivation.
1290.5 Enforcement Procedures
The Provost shall be responsible for enforcing and administering this Policy on behalf of the Board. The Provost is authorized to establish and require the use of procedures and/or forms to assist in or facilitate the discharge of those duties. Such procedures and forms shall be linked in the “Resources” section below, and may be in whole or in part superseded, amended, or revoked by the Board in its discretion.
1290.6 Advice, Feedback, and Recommendations
In accordance with state law, all advice, feedback, and recommendations that may be solicited or received from the Faculty Senate and/or any other individual or group is advisory in nature.