Suspension and Deactivation Workflows
The discontinuance of an academic program means that the sequence of instruction in that academic area will no longer be offered in a form which will lead to a degree or a certificate. Please review the entire process: É«ÖÐÉ« Academic Senate - Policy Statement 11-05 - Discontinuance of Academic Programs.
Suspending a Program
Prior to discontinuing a degree, most departments should consider whether they need to suspend program to new admissions first. The suspension of an academic program means that students will not be admitted to the program for a specified time.
Temporary suspension of an academic program may be requested by the program faculty, the dean of the college housing the program, or the Office of the Provost. Regardless of the initiator of the request for suspension of an academic program, consultation shall take place among the faculty, dean, and the Office of the Provost prior to any decision on suspension. Final decisions on suspension of academic programs are the responsibility of the Office of the Provost.
Upon suspension approval, the department or college notifies the Academic Programs Office (catalog@csulb.edu) for notation in the University catalog.
Suspension of an academic program will be for a minimum of one academic year and a maximum of three academic years. Decisions to suspend an academic program should be finalized at least 30 days before the beginning of the next admission cycle. To address admission issues regarding the suspended program, the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services should be notified of forthcoming suspensions.
A decision to end the suspension of an academic program (and reinstate admissions) shall follow the same consultative process that led to the initial suspension.
To discontinue a degree:
Send the following packet to the Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Academic Programs Team (catalog@csulb.edu):
- Department/Program memo denoting why the discontinuance is necessary
- Also include notes and voting records from the department and college curriculum committees as possible.
- A memo of concurrence from the College's Dean
- A teach-out / exit strategy plan for students currently in the program
Digital copies of all proposal materials that were approved by the department and college are forwarded to the Vice Provost of Academic Programs and the Office of Academic Programs (catalog@csulb.edu). The proposal is reviewed by both offices and feedback is provided to the proposer.
When details of the documents are finalized, the Academic Programs Office will move the proposal forward toward the É«ÖÐÉ« Academic Senate.
The proposal packet is shared with the É«ÖÐÉ« Academic Senate Chair.
Upon their approval of the materials, the proposal will be shared with the Senate's Curriculum and Educational Policies Council (CEPC) and University Resource Council (URC) for review. Proposers will be invited to discuss their proposals with these councils, and potentially be asked to make updates to the content.
Depending on any contention with the proposal, the final recommendation by these councils may be forwarded to the Academic Senate for further review, or receive approval from the Senate.
Upon recommendation by the Academic Senate, the Vice Provost for Academic Programs seeks the President's approval.
With the President's approval, they will set a discontinuance date. The Academic Programs Office will distribute notification to campus leadership of the forthcoming discontinuance and update necessary documentation and databases.
