UCSC Campus Program, Academic Unit and Major Research Unit Approval Process Maps

The accompanying process maps describe the steps proposed academic programs, academic units, and major research units require for formal approval. In general, the procedures for disestablishment follow the same path as for establishment. Please see the campus Guidelines for the Establishment and Disestablishment of Programs and Departments for additional detail.

Note: Participation by the UC Academic Senate, and the California Postsecondary Education Commission are in many instances not included in specific processes, however these entities have broad charges that may allow them to assume a role in the review of any proposal.

1. Five Year List
2. Undergraduate Degree Program Establishment
3. Undergraduate Degree Title Change
4. Undergraduate Concentration, Minor or Combined Major Establishment
5. Graduate Degree Program Establishment
6. Graduate Degree Title Change
7. Graduate Concentration for Parenthetical Degree Notation
8. Joint Graduate Program With California State University Campus Establishment
9. Degree Program Name Change
10. Department Establishment
11. Department Name Change
12. Division Establishment
13. School Establishment
14. College Establishment
15. Multicampus Research Unit Establishment
16. Organized Research Unit Establishment

INFORMAL CONSULTATION

Informal consultation is an essential element of new program planning and should be carefully distinguished from the formal processes described in the maps. Faculty members are encouraged to consult widely in the earliest stage of program development. The academic deans and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs can offer advice and assistance regarding proposal review criteria and standards, the most effective forms of presentation, and the need to address concerns of various audiences. The Vice Provost and Graduate Dean, Vice Chancellor of Research (for Organized and Multicampus Research Units) and Academic Senate committee chairs are also invaluable resources.

In general, proposals that incorporate changes suggested during informal consultations will travel through the formal approval process more quickly, and information often requested during approval will have been anticipated. The solicitation of preliminary advice should not be confused with the formal approval process, and any communications conveying support for a proposed program routed during this phase should not be construed as constituting formal commitment.

DEFAULT PROCESS

PRE-APPROVAL PROCESS

1. Five Year List
Describes the procedures for submitting brief summaries of new programs (both instructional and major research units) planned for implementation within the next five years. The University Office of the President (UCOP) annually requests contributions to the "Five-Year Perspective" that UCOP subsequently submits to the California Postsecondary Education Commission (CEPEC).

2. Undergraduate Degree Program (Major) Establishment
The proposed degree may be offered by one or multiple departments and/or divisions. New degree programs that are associated with the establishment of a new department must negotiate both approval processes. Proposals for a degree title new to UCSC (e.g., Bachelor of Fine Arts) require approval by the Regents.

3. Undergraduate Degree Title Change
This applies to requests for changing/adding a degree title in an established undergraduate program. This would include changing a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) to a Bachelor of Sciences (B.S.) degree, or adding the B.S. to an existing B.A.. If a requested change requires a degree title not currently offered by UCSC (e.g., a B.F.A.), then the proposed change constitutes a request for establishment of a new degree program and is subject to approval procedures for a new degree program.

4. Undergraduate Concentration, Minor or Combined Major Establishment

This procedure describes the approval of undergraduate concentrations and minors, and the establishment of combined majors between two existing major degree programs. Generally, Committee on Educational Policy endorsement is sufficient to constitute approval, but the Provost/EVC Office is involved when the proposed program is not based on an existing major.

5. Graduate Degree Program Establishment
This procedure governs the establishment of any new master's or doctoral level degree program. New programs for which establishment of a department is proposed must negotiate both this procedure and the one prescribed for the creation of a department. If the proposed degree title is new to the campus, UC Regents approval is required.

6. Graduate Degree Title Change
This procedure applies only to the conversion of a non-terminal master's, currently offered by a doctoral-degree-granting program, to a terminal master's degree. The campus may approve such a change without seeking off-campus endorsement. Any change or addition of a degree title for an existing graduate program constitutes a proposal for a new program, and is subject to procedures outlined in paragraph 5.

7. Graduate Concentration for Parenthetical Degree Notation
This procedure concerns proposals to develop concentrations that lead to parenthetical graduate degree notations. Consult the Graduate Council for current specific procedures.

8. Joint Graduate Program with a California State University Establishment
This procedure governs the establishment of a joint graduate program with a California State University campus. Generally, programs of this type constitute extensions of existing graduate programs.

9. Degree Program Name Change
This procedure applies to requests to change the name of an existing degree program. The process is essentially the same for both undergraduate and graduate programs, with the exception of Senate consultation (with either CEP or GC). Proposals to change the name of the sponsoring department must be separately (but may be simultaneously) pursued, as outlined in paragraph 11.

10. Department Establishment
Departments are the principal administrative unit to which ladder faculty and SOE lecturers are appointed. A new department may come about in various ways; e.g., an existing program (and its supporting faculty), currently housed within a sponsoring department, may grow to sufficient size and strength to warrant the establishment of an independent unit. Alternatively, faculty from several departments affiliated with an interdisciplinary program may realign themselves and move to constitute a formal unit. The campus may also seek to establish a new program, anticipating that new faculty will be recruited (or existing faculty relocated) to a newly-constituted department.

11. Department Name Change
This procedure governs the change of a department’s name.

12. Division Establishment
This procedure applies to the creation of a new division, housing existing departments and programs. The proposal will specify the existing departments and programs and/or any proposed new units or initiatives the division will include. Approval of the division does not constitute approval of any proposed new programs that might be housed within the division. Proposed programs and new departments must each be independently reviewed and approved.

13. School Establishment
This procedure describes the creation of a school. The proposal will specify the existing departments and programs and/or any proposed new units or initiatives the school will include. Approval of the school does not constitute approval of any proposed new programs that might be housed within the school. Proposed programs and units must each be independently reviewed and approved according to the relevant procedures.

14. College Establishment
This procedure describes the creation of a college. The proposal will specify the existing programs and/or any proposed new units or initiatives the college will include. Approval of the college does not constitute approval of any proposed new programs that might be housed within the college. Proposed programs and units must each be independently reviewed and approved according to the relevant procedures.

15. Organized Research Unit Establishment
Organized Research Units (ORU) are single campus units providing supportive infrastructure for interdisciplinary research complementary to the academic goals of departments of instruction and research. ORU proposals must be included in the campus Five Year List to inform UC system wide planning. Consult with the Vice Chancellor for Research for subsequent UCSC specific approval protocols.

16. Multicampus Research Unit Establishment
Multicampus Research Units (MRU) are units with facilities and personnel on two ore more campuses and/or units with facilities located on a single campus if faculty participation from other campuses is so extensive as to give the unit a University wide character. MRU approval requires on-campus and off-campus routing.

This page is maintained by the Office of Planning and Budget. Send comments and suggestions to Planning and Budget at Betsy.Moses@adm.ucsc.edu.
Last review on 10/1/05.