Successfully navigating the campus approval process can take anywhere from 3-6 months (or more) depending upon the program level (UG/GR), the complexity/size of the proposal and the levels of governance review required. When planning your proposal timeline, make sure to account for the meeting schedules of each review body.
Major Graduate Program Revisions proceed through four levels of internal review:
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1. Department
In some departments, program coordinator and chair approval may be sufficient. In other departments, the entire department meets to consider and approve. Please abide by the department's preferred process.
2. College
The Academic Dean should be involved from the beginning of the planning process. In the case of Education programs, the Dean typically does not add their official approval until after Educational Council has voted on the proposal.
Education Council meets once a month in Fall/Spring. Please consult their website for meeting times and expectations. Graduate Council will not consider an Education proposal until it has cleared Education Council.
3. Graduate Council
Graduate Council meets every other week during Fall and Spring semesters. Please consult the meeting calendar for meeting dates. Graduate Council typically hears an introduction to the proposal at one meeting followed by at least one, if not more, additional meetings for discussion and vote. The Program Lead (and the Academic Dean, if appropriate) should plan to attend these meetings to answer questions about the proposal. It is also wise for the Program Lead to visit with their Graduate Council representative(s) in advance of the meeting to ensure that they are well-versed about the proposal.
Because Graduate Council includes representation from Graduate programs across all academic divisions, members review proposals for their clarity, alignment with academic policies and campus-wide requirements, and the proposal’s impact on departments/divisions outside the proposing unit. In addition, ex officio representatives of Academic Affairs (Provost’s Office) and Enrollment Management assess registration and student-support considerations as well as SUNY and NYSED requirements.
Once approved by Graduate Council, the Presiding Officer signs on behalf of Graduate Council. The Graduate Dean separately approves following Graduate Council's vote.
4. Provost's Office
The Associate Provost for APLI is currently the provost's designee for curricular approvals.
Undergraduate Program Revisions proceed through five levels of internal review:
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1. Department/Program
After a program proposal is reviewed by department faculty in accordance with established processes, department chair approval is required. If there is a designated program coordinator who is not the chair, that individual may also sign. Please abide by the department's preferred process.
2. College
The Academic Dean or designee should be involved from the beginning of the planning process. In the case of Liberal Arts & Sciences and Education programs, the Dean typically does not add their official approval until after LA&S Senate or Education Council has voted on the proposal.
Both Education Council and LAS Senate meet once a month in Fall/Spring. Please consult the School of Education Council website and/or LAS Senate website for information which may include committee leadership/membership, meeting times, and expectations. If no meeting times are listed, please contact one of the officers/conveners or contact the appropriate Academic Dean for more information. Curriculum Committee will not consider a Liberal Arts & Sciences or Education proposal until it has cleared LAS Senate or Education Council.
3. Curriculum Committee
The Curriculum Committee meets as needed (contingent on submitted proposal or other matters) during Fall and Spring semesters. Sometimes, they meet as often as once a week. Please consult the Curriculum Committee website for information including the checklist for curriculum committee review. Reach out to one of the officers/convenors or to Val McAllister (mcallisv@newpaltz.edu) for more information.
Because the Curriculum Committee includes representation from all academic divisions, members review proposals for their clarity, alignment with academic policies and campus-wide requirements, and the proposal’s impact on departments/divisions outside the proposing unit. In addition, ex officio representatives of Academic Affairs (Provost’s Office) and Enrollment Management assess registration and student-support considerations as well as SUNY and NYSED requirements.
4. Faculty Senate
The Faculty Senate meets once a month during Fall and Spring semesters. Please consult the meeting calendar [link coming soon] for meeting dates. The Faculty Senate typically invites the Program Lead or department chair to present the proposal at a Faculty Senate meeting and address any questions that faculty senators may have.
5. Provost's Office
The Associate Provost for APLI is currently the provost's designee for curricular approvals.
