Three committees review curriculum proposals and make policy decisions regarding curriculum for the Institution: The Curriculum and Standards Committee, the General Education Committee, and committees within the Graduate Council.

The Curriculum and Standards Committee (CASC) and the General Education Committee (GEC) work together to ensure consistency between committees regarding curriculum standards. (See By-laws 4.20) Joint committee meetings of CASC and GEC “bookend” the academic year with a meeting in early fall and one in late spring. The focus of joint meetings is to review academic requirements. Concerns or questions about academic standards and policies should be referred to Senators in these committees.

Curriculum and Standards Committee (CASC)

See By-laws 4.20-4.26

The Curriculum and Standards Committee studies and makes recommendations to the Faculty Senate on the following matters: the establishment, abolition, division or merger of colleges and schools of the University, at the undergraduate and graduate level; the establishment, modification, or abolition of general policies concerning academic requirements; the establishment or abolition of undergraduate degrees or credit certificates awarded by the University in any of its divisions; the establishment, abolition, division or merger of departments of instruction, or other units or areas affecting instruction; the establishment, at the undergraduate level, of new experimental and interdisciplinary instructional programs not confined to one college; the establishment of interdisciplinary minors; the establishment, modification, or abolition of curriculums or programs of study leading to degrees or credit certificates at the baccalaureate level as well as the offering of existing undergraduate degree programs at the Providence campus; the creation, modification, or abolition of Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies concentrations; options within major fields of study; the introduction, modification or abolition of individual courses intended primarily for undergraduate instruction.

CASC shall meet at least once a month and present reports to the Faculty Senate as often as necessary.

General Education Committee (GEC)

See By-laws 4.27

The General Education Committee is responsible for reviewing new and existing courses proposed for general education, as well as studying and making recommendations on the establishment, modification or abolition of General Education requirements for graduation to be applicable to degree candidates, evaluating the program effectiveness and cooperating closely with the Director of General Education. GEC Chair serves as a member of CASC to maintain consistent standards for review of courses and curriculum policies. 

GEC shall meet at least once a month and present reports to the Faculty Senate as often as necessary.

Graduate Council

The Graduate Council approves all new, modifications, and deletions to Graduate level courses, and programs of study. Within the Graduate Council are committees that act on all petitions from students for academic issues and degree requirements, and establish academic standards, determine requirements for admission, and maintain the integrity of graduate-level programs, courses, and graduation.  UMAN 5.65.30-5.65.37

Curriculum items at the graduate level follow the same process as undergraduate items. Deadlines for submissions from College Curriculum Representatives are the same as those for CASC and GEC. The Faculty Senate office vets all proposals and forwards those graduate-level proposals to the Council for review. The actions of the Graduate Council for curriculum must be approved by the Faculty Senate.

See these Graduate School links for more information regarding the Graduate Council, Graduate Council Committees, Graduate Council members, and the Graduate School Manual.