Academic Program Suspension

PAGE: 424a
DATE: 95,04/01
Section: Program – Academic Program Suspension (UMS Policy)

Academic Program Suspension
An academic program may be suspended for many reasons, including change in campus mission, low enrollments, and lack of resources. A campus may choose to suspend a program in order to gain time before restructuring the program or eliminating it. The following procedure should be followed in the case of suspending an academic program. If a campus chooses to suspend applications to a program for up to two years, that action does not constitute a program suspension, but such information should be given to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
An academic program can be reviewed for possible program suspension:

  • as a result of the program review process, or
  • at any time at the initiative of the campus offering the program, or
  • at any time at the initiative of the Chancellor.

Academic degree program suspension shall include the following:

  • The initiation of the Program Suspension Procedure, including notification in writing by the President to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and to the Associated Faculties of the University of Maine System of the intent to develop a Program Suspension Proposal.
  • The development of a Program Suspension Proposal, which shall normally include the following:
    • A five-year summary of program enrollments (number of majors and numbers of graduates) and number of full-time (and part-time) faculty equivalents associated with the program.
    • The specific rationale for the suspension of the program.
    • The relationship of the program suspension to the campus mission and to other programs on the campus.
    • A plan for the assignment of faculty.
    • The impact of the program suspension on students.
    • A timetable for the program suspension, with date for consideration of the program for reinstatement or elimination.
    • The input obtained from meeting and discussion with the appropriate faculty committees and with the Associated Faculties of the University of Maine System prior to completion of the proposal.
  • Campus submittal of the Program Suspension Proposal to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The Vice Chancellor will make copies of the Program Suspension Proposal available to the President and Chief Academic Officer of each campus for their information.
  • The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs’ recommendation, after consultation with the Chief Academic Officers, to the Chancellor for approval of the Suspension Proposal.
  • The Chancellor’s informing the Board of Trustees of the Suspension at the January or July Board meeting.