Additional Review and/or Approval Steps for Curriculum Proposals

Graduate and Professional Studies Proposals

For graduate proposals, the Vice Provost and Dean reviews curriculum proposals twice. The first review is in consultation with the Chair of the Graduate Curriculum Review Committee (GCR). The second review is the final approval step. Proposers are encouraged to consult with the Vice Provost and Dean early in their development process, particularly for new programs and major program modifications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Institutional representative for Chancellor’s Council of Graduate Schools (CCGS)
• Ensure alignment with strategic priorities and availability of resources
• Provide operational review so that technical inconsistencies are addressed and the proposal can be implemented
• Confirm that the proposal adheres to BGSU practices and guidelines
• Communicate with support offices (e.g., Registration and Records) and impacted academic units
• Verify that the proposal has been vetted and is supported by stakeholders

Guiding Questions: 

• Is there needed clarification or information related to proposed changes, missing proposal materials, or other similar problems? 
• Does the proposal align with all CCGS procedures and guidelines? 
• Have all consultations been completed?
• Does the proposal align with institutional needs, recruitment/enrollment trends, and staff/budgetary implications?
• Have major concerns or feedback from previous reviews been addressed in the proposal?

For undergraduate proposals, the Provost’s Office reviews curriculum proposals twice, once before Undergraduate Council, and again as the final approval step. Proposers are encouraged to consult with the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs early in their development process, particularly for new programs and major program modifications. The Provost’s Office reviews proposals to ensure alignment with the university’s strategic priorities, availability of resources, and overall feasibility.

Once a proposal is approved by Undergraduate or Graduate Council, it moves to the Committee on Academic Affairs (CAA), a subcommittee of Faculty Senate. This committee is not an approval step, but reviews all of the actions of Undergraduate and Graduate Councils. Initiators may be asked to present their proposals to CAA and the committee may provide feedback. CAA sends proposals and feedback to the Senate Executive Committee for further consideration.

The Senate Executive Committee (SEC) sets the agenda for Faculty Senate. The subcommittee determines whether a proposal requires a vote (typically new programs or modifications with significant impact on students) by the full senate and then invites initiators to appear at a full senate meeting for a vote.

When a proposal is referred to Faculty Senate for a vote, the initiator will be invited to present the proposal at a meeting of the full senate. Senators are given an opportunity to ask initiators questions and provide feedback. The senate votes on approval of curriculum proposals.

Library representatives review all curriculum proposals to ensure that library resources are available to support student success. Initiators proposing new programs and courses should meet with University Libraries early in the development process to evaluate existing resources and determine what new resources may be necessary to support student learning.

The Office of Financial Aid reviews proposals to ensure that students will have access to needed federal student aid. Proposals are evaluated for alignment with federal regulations that govern how aid is distributed to students.

The Office of Institutional Effectiveness (IE) reviews proposals to ensure that proposals will not negatively impact accreditation by the many important accreditation bodies that attest to the quality of a BGSU education.

The Office of Academic Assessment plays a role in evaluating learning outcomes and assessment plans to assist faculty proposers in centering student learning and success. Initiators are encouraged to consult with Academic Assessment early in the curriculum development process to ensure that learning outcomes and assessment plans are rigorous and effective.

OSAP reviews proposals for programs and courses that will be offered online. OSAP approval must be obtained before proposals are submitted to the college level.

Registration and Records review proposals to ensure that programs and courses are implementable within BGSU’s frameworks and systems.