Refer to FORMS to determine the correct form for the nature of the proposal.

NOTE: These program proposals -only these- require JCAP review:

• New undergraduate and graduate degree programs 
• Change to Distance Learning. Creation or addition of fully online degree program 

FULL PROPOSAL and ABBREVIATED PROPOSAL Forms 

Step 1: JCAP Review (if necessary)
Prior to developing a complete proposal for a new academic program, a brief Pre-Proposal Form describing the program and its likelihood of success, centrality to the mission of the university, and consistency with the Academic Strategic Plan shall be completed by the proposer(s). It will be provided by the proposer(s), department chair(s) (if applicable) and academic dean(s) to the Joint Committee on Academic Planning (JCAP) for review. If the program is not consistent with the Academic Strategic Plan, the proposer(s) will be urged to reconsider the idea and may submit a revised pre-proposal. All communications between JCAP and proposer(s) will be copied to the appropriate coordinating and review committee. While JCAP endorsement is not required for the proposer(s) to continue development of the complete proposal, it is strongly recommended. (University Manual 8.85.14)

Submit the JCAP Pre-Proposal Form with all appropriate signatures to the Office of the Provost.

Step 2: Department/College level

Part A: Assessment Plan
While the complete proposal is being developed within the college, the proposer(s) shall seek consultation with the Office of Student Learning, Outcomes Assessment, and Accreditation (SLOAA)  in preparation of a Learning Outcomes Assessment Plan for student learning assessment and thereafter obtain approval by the Learning Outcomes Oversight Committee (LOOC) of its plan.  A completed and approved Form fulfills the learning outcomes assessment expectations (items E3 and E5, FULL and ABBREVIATED Forms, respectively).

Part B: Library Impact Statement
The proposer(s) shall obtain a library impact statement following proper review by the University Libraries and seek written comment from other university departments and programs perceived impacted by the proposal.

Part C: Budget Form
FULL PROPOSAL Form: Complete the Budget Form.  The Budget Form requires review by the Budget and Financial Planning Office. SUBMIT Budget Form to the URI Budget and Financial Planning Office (see below).

ABBREVIATED PROPOSAL Form: Complete the Budget Form demonstrating that existing funds are sufficient for carrying out the program. The Budget Form requires review by the Budget and Financial Planning Office. Proposers shall request a Statement of No Financial Impact from the URI Budget and Financial Planning Office (see below).

For URI Budget and Financial Planning Office review, submit the following proposal materials:

• JCAP Pre-proposal and response (if applicable)
• Complete Proposal with: Learning Outcomes Plan, Library Impact Statement, and Comments from Impacted Department(s)
• Budget Form

To the following Budget Office Personnel:

• John Stone, Budget Specialist, Financial Analysis
  and copy the following:

• Linda Barrett, Director, Budget & Financial Planning
• Cheryl Hinkson, Associate Director, Budget & Financial Planning
• Colleen Robillard, Budget Specialist, Financial Analysis

Note: Turn-around for budget evaluations is approximately 2 weeks. Submission of fully completed proposals will improve turn-around.

Part D: Approvals
Following completion of Parts A – C, the proposal shall be approved in accordance with the college’s established procedures, including approval of the dean, prior to submission to the Faculty Senate Office (through SAKAI) for forwarding to the appropriate coordinating and review committee. If more than one college is proposing the new program, approval must be obtained from each college prior to submission.

Step 3. Prepare the URI Program Proposal Cover Form (see Cover Form Instructions)

Step 4. Subsequent to college and dean’s level approvals, the complete proposal package, including Budget Form with Budget Office response, shall be submitted electronically to the Faculty Senate Office (through SAKAI) for forwarding to the appropriate coordinating and review committee (Curriculum and Standards Committee or Graduate Council). The Faculty Senate Office cannot accept an incomplete proposal. Errors in the proposal will delay advancement to the appropriate review committee.

Proposal package:

• URI Program Proposal Cover Form
• JCAP Pre-proposal and response (if applicable)
• Complete Proposal with: Learning Outcomes Plan, Library Impact Statement, and Comments from Impacted Department(s)
• Budget Form with Budget Office response

Step 5. Subsequent to Curriculum and Standards Committee or Graduate Council approval, the proposal is presented to the Faculty Senate for approval.

Step 6. The proposal is reviewed in the Provost’s Office, signed by the President, and submitted to the Board of Trustees. Additional clarification of the proposal might be solicited by the Board of Trustees during its review.

Step 7. The President/Provost presents the proposal to the Board of Trustees. Proposers may be asked to attend the meeting to answer any questions of the Board of Trustees.

Step 8. The proposer(s) is/are notified that the proposal appeared on the agenda of a meeting of the Board of Trustees and program implementation may proceed.

Note: Proposals may be returned at any stage for correction, clarification, or revision.