Academic Program Discontinuance Policy

Effective: July 1, 2026Ìý

Approved by: Justin Schwartz, ChancellorÌýÌý

Policy Owner: Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic AffairsÌý

Policy Contact: Vice Chancellor for Academic Planning and AssessmentÌý

Supersedes: Academic Program Discontinuance Policy effective December 15, 2005Ìý

Applies to: Faculty, studentsÌý

I. Introduction

This policy sets forth the processes at the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØ (Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder) for making recommendations to the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØconcerning academic unit or degree program discontinuance, as required by Regent Policy 4.B.4. It complies with Regent Policy 5.F: Termination of Faculty Appointments Following Program Discontinuance and University of Colorado (CU) Administrative Policy Statement (APS) 1015: Implementing Academic Unit or Degree Program Discontinuance.

II. Definitions

Academic unit: A school, college, department or program that offers at least one degree program or serves as the tenure home of tenured or tenure-track faculty.Ìý

Administrative action: A formal decision or step taken by Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder leadership (e.g., the provost or chancellor) to begin, recommend, approve or carry out the discontinuance of an academic program for institutional reasons. An administrative action differs from an action initiated by an academic unit in that it originates from Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder leadership and follows established Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØand Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder policy and procedures for review, consultation, submission and approval.Ìý

Discontinuance implementation plan and timeline: a written document, approved by the provost and the chancellor, detailing the college’s or school’s timeline and specific procedures for implementing the steps enumerated in Regent Policy 5.F and APS 1015. In the case of degree program discontinuance where students are currently enrolled in the degree program, the discontinuance implementation plan and timeline document includes a Teach Out Plan.ÌýÌý

Externally initiated discontinuance: The discontinuance of a degree program by the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoard of Regents based upon or resulting from a Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) directive to the Board of Regents in accordance with CCHE Policy I.G., “Policy and Procedures for Discontinuance of Academic Degrees with Low Program Demand.â€Ìý

Faculty: For the purposes of this policy, all faculty members at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder who are employed in the tenured and tenure-track series, instructional series, and clinical track series of faculty titles.Ìý

Inactive: The status applied to a degree program in student information systems when the degree is no longer available to be awarded to either current or returning students.Ìý

Internally initiated discontinuance: The termination of an academic unit or a degree program initiated within Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder and resulting from a recommendation by the chancellor of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder to the president of CU.Ìý

Teach Out Plan: A plan for the timeframe designated by this policy during which Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder continues to offer a degree program that has been approved for discontinuance, allowing currently enrolled students a reasonable opportunity to complete their degree. During the Teach Out period, Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder will communicate directly with all affected students, providing them with clear guidance on completion options and timelines, and will ensure the remaining required courses are offered in an appropriate sequence and instructional mode. The Teach Out period concludes when all eligible students have either completed the degree program, transferred to an approved alternative degree program, or withdrawn from the university and when the degree program’s Teach Out Plan has been fulfilled in accordance with institutional, state and federal law and policy and any applicable accreditation requirements.Ìý

Working days: Weekdays Monday through Friday, excluding any weekday that is a university holiday or a day designated by Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder for paid administrative leave.Ìý

III. Roles and Responsibilities

Academic Unit: Conducts a bylaws-compliant internal deliberation and votes on discontinuance.Ìý

Academic Unit Chair or Director: Coordinates and oversees the unit’s bylaws-compliant internal deliberation and vote on discontinuance, oversees and ensures the accuracy of required submissions to the review and approval process maintained by the Office of the Registrar, and collaborates with the registrar to notify students after a discontinuation is approved.Ìý

Dean: Reaches their own determination on whether to recommend discontinuation, informed by the academic unit’s discussion and vote, submits a discontinuance implementation plan and timeline to the provost following the Board of Regents approval of discontinuance, and oversees college or school implementation of the discontinuance plan.Ìý

Program Discontinuance Review Committee: Evaluates whether a degree program or academic unit should be discontinued (when the academic unit and its dean do not concur) and makes a recommendation to the provost.Ìý

Vice Chancellor for Academic Planning and Assessment and Vice Chancellor for Faculty Affairs: Co-chair the Program Discontinuance Review Committee in non-voting roles and appoint additional faculty members to meet membership requirements, if needed.Ìý

Boulder Faculty Assembly Chair: Appoints one faculty member to serve as a voting member of the Program Discontinuance Review Committee.Ìý

Deans of Libraries, Graduate Education, and Undergraduate Education: Provide input to the Program Discontinuance Review Committee regarding the potential effects of discontinuance on their respective academic areas.Ìý

Provost: Reviews requests for discontinuance; if required, convenes the Program Discontinuance Review Committee and reviews its recommendation; makes a recommendation on discontinuance to the chancellor; organizes and oversees submission of required materials to the president of CU; submits the dean’s and provost’s discontinuance implementation plans and timelines to the chancellor following Board of Regents approval; and oversees implementation of the dean’s and provost’s discontinuance plans.Ìý

Chancellor: Requests a waiver of procedural steps as authorized by APS 1015 from the vice president for academic affairs of CU, if applicable; reviews the provost’s recommendation and determines whether to recommend discontinuance; if recommending discontinuance, makes a recommendation to the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØpresident including a recommended date of discontinuance; and approves the dean’s and provost’s discontinuance implementation plans after the Board of Regents has made a discontinuance decision.Ìý

President of CU: Reviews the chancellor’s recommendation for discontinuance or request for exemption from externally initiated discontinuance and related documentation and transmits materials to the Board of Regents.Ìý

Board of Regents: Makes the final decision on whether to discontinue an academic unit or degree program, on requests for exemption from externally initiated discontinuance, and on revocation of tenure.Ìý

Office of the Registrar: Manages the discontinuance documentation submitted through the Office of the Registrar workflow documentation system; assists with administrative record changes required due to discontinuance; and collaborates with academic units to notify students after a discontinuation is approved.Ìý

IV. Policy Statement

  1. A request for an internally initiated discontinuance of an academic unit or degree program may be initiated by the dean, the provost or the chancellor. A request may also be initiated by the academic unit with the approval of the dean.Ìý
  2. In the case of a request for either an internally initiated discontinuance of an academic unit or degree program or an externally initiated discontinuance of a degree program, if the academic unit and its dean concur that the academic unit or degree program should be discontinued, the provost will make a recommendation to the chancellor on whether the academic unit or degree program should be discontinued. The provost is not required to convene the Program Discontinuance Review Committee before making a recommendation to the chancellor. If the chancellor and the provost then concur both that the academic unit or degree program should be discontinued and that academic unit or degree program discontinuance has no impact, or negligible impact, on students and faculty, the chancellor will then petition the vice president for academic affairs for Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØto waive procedures in APS 1015 requiring that the chancellor promptly notify all faculty and staff members rostered in the academic unit or degree program and convene a review committee to conduct a program discontinuance review. If this waiver is not granted, the provost, as the chancellor’s designee, will promptly notify all faculty and staff members rostered in the academic unit or degree program and will initiate the review and recommendation process described in this policy by convening the Program Discontinuance Review Committee. The chancellor will consider the Program Discontinuance Review Committee’s recommendation (if relevant) and the provost’s recommendation before determining whether to submit a request for discontinuance to the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØ(in the case of an internally initiated discontinuance) or whether to ask the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØto request that the Board of Regents pursue an exemption from discontinuation (in the case of an externally initiated discontinuance).Ìý
  3. In the case of a request for either an internally initiated discontinuance of an academic unit or degree program or an externally initiated discontinuance of a degree program, if the academic unit and its dean do not concur that the academic unit or degree program should be discontinued, the provost, as the chancellor’s designee, will promptly notify all faculty and staff members rostered in the academic unit or degree program and will initiate a review and recommendation process by convening the Program Discontinuance Review Committee. The provost will consider the Program Discontinuance Review Committee’s recommendation before making a recommendation to the chancellor on whether the academic unit or degree program should be discontinued. The chancellor will consider the Program Discontinuance Review Committee’s and the provost’s recommendations before determining whether to submit a request for discontinuance to the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØ(in the case of an internally initiated discontinuance) or whether to ask the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØto request that the Board of Regents pursue an exemption from discontinuation (in the case of an externally initiated discontinuance).Ìý
  4. If an academic unit is discontinued but a degree program offered by that unit is not discontinued, the provost will assign the degree program to be offered by another academic unit.Ìý
  5. When a degree program is discontinued, any students currently enrolled in the program will have a defined maximum amount of time in which to complete their degree requirements.ÌýÌý
    1. As specified in Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) policy, the defined maximum amount of time is four years for both baccalaureate degrees and graduate degrees and begins at the end of the academic year in which the CDHE records discontinuance of the program.Ìý
    2. After the defined maximum amount of time, the degree program is officially inactivated, and the degree is no longer available to be awarded.ÌýÌý
    3. A student who leaves Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder before completing a degree program that is discontinued, either before or after they left Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder, and who is readmitted to Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder may be readmitted to the discontinued degree program only if (1) the defined maximum amount of time has not concluded, and (2) the college or school confirms that the student is able to complete requirements within the defined maximum amount of time. If a student is readmitted under these provisions but does not complete the discontinued degree within the defined maximum amount of time, they may not be awarded the discontinued degree.Ìý
    4. Credit hours accumulated by students who do not complete the degree program requirements within the defined maximum amount of time may be applied to a different Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder degree program (if they are applicable to the requirements of that degree program) and to the overall number of credit hours required for graduation.Ìý
  6. After the Board of Regents approves discontinuance of a degree program, new students, continuing students and readmitted students who have not previously declared the degree will not be admitted into the degree program.ÌýÌý

V. Procedures

  1. Internally Initiated Discontinuance of a Degree Program:Ìý
    1. The initial request for an internally initiated discontinuance of a degree program must be submitted to the provost (or designee) in writing and must include a summary of reasons for the request. The request must include a description of a discussion and faculty vote by the academic unit on the question of degree program discontinuance, conducted according to the bylaws of the academic unit.Ìý
    2. If the request is initiated by the academic unit that offers the degree program with the concurrence of its dean, the provost (or designee) will direct the chair or director of the academic unit to submit the request through the workflow documentation system maintained by the Office of the Registrar. The academic unit’s submission of the request may (but is not required to) conclude with the provost’s recommendation to the chancellor and the chancellor’s recommendation to the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØthat the degree program be discontinued.Ìý
    3. If the request is initiated by the dean, the provost or the chancellor, the provost (or designee) will consult with the chair or director of the academic unit and its dean to determine whether the academic unit and the dean concur that the degree program should be discontinued.Ìý
    4. If the academic unit and dean concur that the degree program should be discontinued, the provost (or designee) will direct the chair or director of the academic unit to submit the request through the workflow documentation system maintained by the Office of the Registrar. The academic unit’s submission of the request may (but is not required to) conclude with the provost’s recommendation to the chancellor and the chancellor’s recommendation to the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØthat the degree program be discontinued.ÌýÌý
    5. If the academic unit or the dean does not concur that the degree program should be discontinued, and if the review of the request by the provost, the chancellor and the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØultimately results in the Board of Regents approving discontinuance of the degree program, the provost (or designee) will submit the request for discontinuance through the workflow documentation system maintained by the Office of the Registrar so that the Office of the Registrar may retain accurate records of the discontinuance.Ìý
  2. Externally Initiated Discontinuance of a Degree Program:Ìý
    1. Upon receipt of notice that an externally initiated discontinuance of a degree program has been initiated, the provost (or designee) will consult with the chair or director of the academic unit and with the dean to determine whether the academic unit and the dean concur that the degree program should be discontinued.Ìý
    2. If the academic unit and dean concur that the degree program should be discontinued, the provost (or designee) will direct the chair or director of the academic unit to submit the request through the workflow documentation system maintained by the Office of the Registrar. The academic unit’s submission of the request may (but is not required to) conclude with the provost’s recommendation to the chancellor and the chancellor’s recommendation to the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØthat the degree program be discontinued.Ìý
    3. If the academic unit or the dean does not concur that the degree program should be discontinued, and if the review of the request by the provost, the chancellor and the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØultimately results in the Board of Regents approving discontinuance of the degree program, the provost (or designee) will submit the request for discontinuance through the workflow documentation system maintained by the Office of the Registrar so that the Office of the Registrar may retain accurate records of the discontinuance.Ìý
  3. Internally Initiated Discontinuance of an Academic Unit:Ìý
    1. The initial request for the internally initiated discontinuance of an academic unit must be submitted to the provost (or designee) in writing and must include a summary of reasons for the request. The request must include a description of a discussion and vote by the academic unit on the question of academic unit discontinuance, conducted according to the bylaws of the academic unit.Ìý
    2. If the request is initiated by the academic unit or its chair or director with the concurrence of its dean, the provost (or designee) will direct the academic unit to submit the request through the workflow documentation system maintained by the Office of the Registrar. The academic unit’s submission of the request may (but is not required to) conclude with the provost’s recommendation to the chancellor and the chancellor’s recommendation to the Board of Regents that the degree program be discontinued.Ìý
    3. If the request is initiated by the dean, the provost or the chancellor, the provost (or designee) will consult with the chair or director of the academic unit and its dean to determine whether the academic unit and the dean support the discontinuance of the degree program.Ìý
    4. If the academic unit and dean concur that the academic unit should be discontinued, the provost (or designee) will direct the academic unit to submit the request through the workflow documentation system maintained by the Office of the Registrar. The academic unit’s submission of the request may (but is not required to) conclude with the provost’s recommendation to the chancellor and the chancellor’s recommendation to the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØthat the academic unit be discontinued.Ìý
    5. If the academic unit or the dean does not support the discontinuance of the academic unit, , and if the review of the request by the provost, the chancellor and the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØultimately results in the Board of Regents approving discontinuance of the academic unit, the provost (or designee) will submit the request for discontinuance through the workflow documentation system maintained by the Office of the Registrar so that the Office of the Registrar may retain accurate records of the discontinuance.Ìý
    6. If the request for discontinuance of an academic unit also involves the discontinuance of one or more degree programs, a separate request for discontinuance must be made for each degree program.Ìý
  4. Program Discontinuance Review Committee and Administrative Actions: If warranted under the terms of this policy, the provost will instruct the vice chancellor for academic planning and assessment and the vice chancellor for faculty affairs to convene the Program Discontinuance Review Committee (Committee).Ìý
    1. Committee Membership:Ìý
      1. The voting members of the Committee will comprise the voting members of the provost’s Academic Review and Planning Advisory Committee (ARPAC), one faculty member named by the academic unit recommended for discontinuance or the academic unit that offers the degree program recommended for discontinuance and one faculty member named by the chair of the Boulder Faculty Assembly. If necessary, the vice chancellor for faculty affairs will appoint additional faculty members in order to bring the number of voting members of the Committee to at least eleven.Ìý
      2. Voting members of the Committee must be members of the faculty as defined by the Academic Unit and Degree Program Discontinuance Policy.Ìý
      3. The ex officio members of ARPAC will serve as non-voting, advisory members of the Committee.Ìý
      4. The vice chancellor for academic planning and assessment and the vice chancellor for faculty affairs will co-chair the Committee but will not vote.ÌýÌý
    2. Program Discontinuance Review Committee Procedures:Ìý
      1. The Committee will solicit written input from the dean, chair or director, faculty, students and staff of the academic unit or degree program recommended for discontinuance; from the dean of the libraries; from the dean of graduate education or undergraduate education, as relevant (depending on whether graduate or undergraduate degree programs are involved); and from the chair or director of other academic units substantially affected by the possible discontinuance.Ìý
      2. Having completed its review of the request and written input, the Committee will determine whether there are grounds for discontinuance of the academic unit or degree program as set forth in this policy. The Committee will prepare a written report of its findings and recommendation and will submit the report to the provost. The request and all written input received by the Committee will be included as appendices to the report.Ìý
      3. In the case of an internally initiated discontinuance of an academic unit or degree program, the Committee will make a recommendation to the provost on whether the academic unit or degree program should or should not be discontinued.ÌýÌý
      4. In the case of an externally initiated discontinuance of a degree program, the Committee will make a recommendation to the provost on whether the chancellor should or should not ask the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØto request that the Board of Regents pursue an exemption from discontinuation.Ìý
    3. Provost Review of Committee Report and Provost Recommendation to the Chancellor:Ìý
      1. The provost will review the Committee report and its appendices and will submit a written recommendation and statement of reasons for concurring or disagreeing with the Committee’s recommendation to the chancellor. The Committee report and its appendices will be included as appendices to the provost’s recommendation to the chancellor.Ìý
    4. Chancellor Decision and Submission Process: Upon review of the provost’s recommendation and its appendices, the chancellor will proceed as follows:Ìý
      1. In the case of an internally initiated discontinuance of an academic unit or degree program, the chancellor will determine whether to concur with the provost’s recommendation. If the chancellor determines that the academic unit or degree program should be discontinued, the chancellor will take administrative action to recommend discontinuation to the president of CU. If the chancellor determines that the academic unit or degree program should not be discontinued, the chancellor will send a written statement to the provost declining to recommend discontinuation.Ìý
      2. In the case of an externally initiated discontinuance of a degree program, the chancellor will take administrative action to either (1) recommend discontinuation to the president of CU, or (2) request that the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØask the Board of Regents to pursue an exemption from discontinuation. A request for exemption will include all information available to the chancellor that will inform the Board of Regents in their evaluation of the program, including the extent to which the degree program aligns with the short-range and long-range plans of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder.Ìý
      3. If the chancellor’s administrative action includes recommending discontinuation of the academic unit or degree program, the chancellor will provide a report and final recommendation to the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØincluding the grounds for discontinuing the program, citing the relevant material and including the report of the Program Discontinuance Review Committee and any other materials required or requested by the president of CU. The chancellor’s recommendation will include a recommended date for discontinuation based on institutional needs, including analysis of reasonable time for enrolled students to complete their degree programs (if applicable). The recommended date for discontinuation will coincide with the end of an academic term unless the academic unit has no classes scheduled or planned to be scheduled up to the proposed time of discontinuation or unless the degree program does not have any currently enrolled students.Ìý
      4. The chancellor will promptly communicate any administrative action regarding discontinuance to the affected academic unit(s), its dean and the provost.Ìý
      5. If the chancellor’s administrative action includes recommending discontinuation to the Board of Regents, the provost (or designee) will organize the submission of materials through the review and approval process maintained by the Office of the Registrar and the submission of materials to the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØor to the Board of Regents as required by the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØSystem office.Ìý
    5. Timeline:Ìý
      1. The Committee must submit its report to the provost within 60 working days from the date it is convened.Ìý
      2. The provost must submit a recommendation to the chancellor within 30 working days of receiving the Committee’s report.Ìý
      3. In the case of an internally initiated discontinuance of an academic unit or degree program, the chancellor must conclude their decision and submission process within 30 working days of receiving the provost’s recommendation. This timeline may be extended based on the requirements of the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØSystem office, the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØor the Board of Regents.Ìý
      4. In the case of an externally initiated discontinuance of a degree program, the chancellor must conclude their decision and submission process within 60 working days of receiving the provost’s recommendation. This timeline may be extended based on the requirements of the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØSystem office, the president of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØor the Board of Regents.Ìý
  5. Considerations in Recommending Academic Unit or Degree Program Discontinuance: In accordance with Regent Policy 4.B.4 and APS 1015, the Committee, provost, and chancellor may base their recommendations for discontinuance of an academic unit or degree program on educational, strategic realignment, resource allocation or financial reasons, or on a combination of these reasons. In considering their recommendations or decisions, as applicable, the Committee, provost and chancellor will consider factors including, but not limited to:Ìý
    1. Educational, research and creative work considerations:Ìý
      1. The long-term campus, state, regional or national needs for the academic, research, scholarly and creative work efforts undertaken by the academic unit or degree program.Ìý
      2. The quality of the academic unit or degree program as evidenced in the academic, research, scholarly and creative work efforts of faculty, staff, and students. Evidence concerning the program’s educational, research, scholarly and creative work efforts as recorded in, for example, accreditation or program review should be examined, along with campus resources and facilities dedicated to the academic unit or degree program (e.g., library collections, laboratories, field support facilities, etc.).Ìý
      3. The importance of the academic unit or degree program as a support for, or as an integral part of, other academic or research programs at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder or other Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØcampuses.Ìý
      4. The importance of the academic unit or degree program to the comprehensive nature of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder’s educational offerings.Ìý
      5. The importance of the academic unit or degree program to the state or region based on cultural, historic, political, economic or other social aspects.ÌýÌý
      6. The importance of the academic unit or degree program to the state or region based on geologic, geographic, environmental or other physical aspects.Ìý
      7. The ability or inability of other academic or research institutions to provide equivalent academic, research or creative work efforts.Ìý
    2. Strategic realignment considerations:Ìý
      1. Centrality of the academic unit or degree program to the campus mission.Ìý
      2. Role of the academic unit or degree program in the campus, school or college strategic plan or academic master plan.Ìý
      3. Ability of the academic unit or degree program to enhance Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder’s reputation in the state and nation.Ìý
      4. Excellence of the academic unit or degree program, or its promise for future excellence, in teaching or in research, scholarship and creative work.Ìý
      5. Cost of investing in the academic unit or program to achieve and maintain excellence.Ìý
      6. Uniqueness of the academic unit or degree program to the state, to Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØand to the relevant geographic area.Ìý
      7. Marketplace demand for the academic unit or degree program.Ìý
      8. The career and financial prospects of graduates of the degree program, including their typical annual income debt-to-earnings and discretionary income debt-to-earnings ratios, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.Ìý
      9. The academic unit or degree program’s contribution to campus diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and goals as defined by the chancellor, e.g., student achievement outcomes or preparing students to participate in a diverse democracy.Ìý
      10. The academic unit or degree program’s role in supporting other key programs at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder.Ìý
    3. Resource allocation or budgetary considerations:Ìý
      1. Actual or projected revenues and costs of the academic unit or degree program including both direct and indirect costs.Ìý
      2. Potential cost savings or losses from elimination of the academic unit or degree program.Ìý
      3. Efficiency of academic unit or degree program operations in relation to revenues and expenditures (including, where relevant, student credit hours and research revenues and expenditures).Ìý
      4. The academic unit or degree program’s contribution to Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder’s fiscal health.Ìý
      5. Performance data related to the academic unit or degree program. Examples include multi-year trends and projections for student enrollment, retention, completion, and placements; capacity data such as student to faculty ratios or courses taught by tenured and tenure-track vs. non-tenure track faculty members; data demonstrating research, scholarship and creative work productivity; programmatic cost benefit analysis or ability to generate income; and data illustrating the academic unit’s or degree program’s impacts on other academic units or degree programsÌý
  6. Implementation of Academic Unit or Degree Program Discontinuance: In implementing academic unit or degree program discontinuance, Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder will comply with the policies and procedures outlined in Regent Policy 5.F and in APS 1015. This section of procedures elaborates on the details of those procedures specific to Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder.Ìý
    1. Within 30 working days of the Board of Regents approval of academic unit or degree program discontinuance, the dean of the college or school must submit a written document to the provost detailing the college’s or school’s timeline and specific procedures for implementing the termination of faculty steps to comply with the faculty rights, including but not limited to obligations specific to tenured faculty, enumerated in Regent Policy 5.F and APS 1015 to the extent applicable to the discontinued academic unit or degree program.Ìý
      1. In the case of degree program discontinuance, the timeline and procedures must include a Teach Out Plan for any students remaining in the degree program, consistent with institutional, state and federal law and policy and any applicable accreditation requirements for student completion. If a Teach Out Plan is not possible for reasons beyond Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder’s control (for example, inability to employ faculty needed to teach required courses) the timeline and procedures must include a plan for a reasonable instructional or financial alternative to affected students. For programs offered to students physically located outside Colorado, applicable provisions of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) will also apply.Ìý
      2. Within 15 working days of receiving this document from the dean of the college or school, the provost must submit the college or school's timeline and procedures to the chancellor, along with a written document detailing the provost’s timeline and specific procedures for overseeing and ensuring the college’s or school’s completion of the steps enumerated in Regent Policy 5.F and APS 1015, including but not limited to any applicable notices to faculty, as described in the college’s or school’s implementation timeline and procedures.ÌýÌý
      3. Within 15 working days of receiving the documents from the provost containing the college or school’s implementation timeline and specific procedures and the provost’s oversight timeline and specific procedures, the chancellor must either approve these documents as the final implementation plan or request modifications from the dean or provost. If the chancellor requests modifications, the provost must submit documents including those modifications to the chancellor within seven working days of the chancellor’s request, and the chancellor must approve the documents as the final implementation plan within seven working days of receiving them from the provost.Ìý
    2. When faculty appointments are to be terminated as the result of academic unit or degree program discontinuance, the notification period before termination that is required for the groups of faculty specified in Regent Policy 5.F and APS 1015 will commence at the beginning of the academic year following the Board of Regents approval of discontinuance.Ìý
    3. Student impacts when a degree program is discontinued:Ìý
      1. The academic unit that offers the degree program, with the assistance of the Office of the Registrar, must notify in writing all students enrolled in the degree program within seven working days of the chancellor’s approval of the implementation plan for discontinuance.Ìý
      2. The notification must outline the provisions of the Teach Out Plan or the approved instructional or financial alternative and must include provisions for students to receive advising on their academic options if they desire it.Ìý
    4. Student impacts when a degree program is moved to a different college or school due to academic unit discontinuance:Ìý
      1. If a degree program is organizationally moved to a different college or school due to the discontinuance of an academic unit, the new college or school is encouraged to be flexible with degree exceptions and substitutions that are applicable for all students and with admissions standards for readmitted students based on coursework completed under the original degree program requirements, as appropriate.Ìý
      2. If a readmitted student is not eligible for readmission to the new college or school to which the student’s previously declared degree program has been moved, the new college or school is responsible for advising the student on reasonable academic options.Ìý

VI. Related policies, forms, guidelines and other resourcesÌý

  1. Ìý
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  3. Ìý
  4. Ìý
  5. Ìý
  6. Ìý

VII. HistoryÌý

  1. Adopted: December 15, 2005
  2. Revised:ÌýJuly 1, 2026
  3. Last Reviewed: N/A