Proposals for new undergraduate programs and program revisions

In accordance with Binghamton University Faculty Senate bylaws, proposals for new degree programs and modifications of existing programs are the responsibility of academic units. These proposals are then reviewed by the Faculty Senate, which makes recommendations to the President. In addition, the Senate must also review proposals to discontinue or deactivate a degree-granting program. 

How to Submit New Program Proposals

Proposals for new undergraduate degree programs must first be approved by the department, then the school/college, then the Faculty Senate.

After campus approvals have been secured, SUNY System's review of proposals for new undergraduate programs involves two steps: the submission of a Program Announcement and a Program Proposal. The Program Announcement is designed to inform other SUNY campuses and to allow those campuses and SUNY Administration to comment on the proposal. New baccalaureate programs typically require external review by two experts in the discipline, chosen from a list of four or five proposed reviewers.  The Program Proposal is the formal request for a new undergraduate academic program.  New programs must be approved and registered by the New York State Education Department before they may be advertised or before students may be admitted.

Following are the steps in the approval process for new undergraduate degree programs:

1. Creation of an Academic Business Plan.
2. Department approval of the proposed new program.
3. Draft of SUNY System's Program Announcement (SUNY Appendix A) prepared by the department in conjunction with the Dean's Office.
4. School/college approval of the proposed new program. 
5. Faculty Senate approval of the proposed new program. (Please see the Faculty Senate Bylaws section on the Educational Policy and Priorities Committee for more details on the Senate approval process for new degree programs.)
6. Provost's Office reviews the Academic Business Plan and finalizes the Program Announcement prepared by the department/school and sends it to the President for her approval.
7. Provost's Office transmits the Program Announcement to SUNY System. 
8. SUNY System sends out the Program Announcement statewide for comments. SUNY System's guidelines for submission of a new program indicate that the proposing campus will receive feedback from other campuses and System within approximately 30 days from the circulation of the proposal.
9. Preparation of Program Proposal by the school/department in conjunction with the Provost's Office. The Program Proposal must address any concerns raised by other SUNY campuses or SUNY System, and may be submitted no earlier than 45 days and no later than one year from the date that SUNY System circulated the Program Announcement to other campuses.  The following forms must be submitted:
   • Undergraduate Program Proposal Form (SUNY Appendix B)
   • If relevant:  External Instruction Form (SUNY Appendix C)
   • External Evaluation Report Form for Undergraduate Program Proposals (SUNY Appendix D)
   • If appropriate: Expedited Review Request Form (SUNY Appendix F)

How to Submit Revisions of Existing Programs

Proposals to modify or change the name of existing undergraduate degree programs must first be approved by the department, then the school/college, then the Faculty Senate.  The request must then be transmitted to SUNY System for approval.

Following are the steps in the approval process for a request to change an existing undergraduate program:

1. Department approval of the proposed change.
2. Draft proposal explaining the requested change is prepared by the department in conjunction with the Dean's Office.  Please follow SUNY System's Guidelines for Revision of Existing Academic Programs (SUNY Appendix E) when preparing this document.
3. School/college approval of the proposed revision.
4. Faculty Senate approval of the proposed revision.
5. Provost's Office reviews and finalizes the document prepared by the department/school and sends it to the President for her approval.
6. Provost's Office transmits the request to SUNY System. 

How to Submit a Request to Deactivate or Discontinue an Existing Program

Deactivation is the decision not to admit any more students to a program but to maintain the program registration with SUNY System and the New York State Education Department. The date of deactivation is the first regular admission date as of which new students will not be permitted to enroll in the program.

Discontinuance is the decision to remove a program from the list of registered programs so that a degree will no longer be granted at completion. The date of discontinuance is the last date for which a degree will be awarded.

Proposals to deactivate or discontinue existing undergraduate degree programs must first be approved by the department, then the school/college, then the Faculty Senate.  The request must then be transmitted to SUNY System for approval in the form of a letter from the President. 

Following are the steps in the approval process for a request to deactivate or discontinue an existing undergraduate program:

1. Department approval of the proposal to deactivate or discontinue the program.
2. Draft letter explaining the request is prepared by the department in conjunction with the Dean's Office.  For a program in which students are still enrolled, the letter must indicate the date when all students are expected to complete the program.
3. School/college approval of the proposed request.
4. Faculty Senate approval of the proposed request.
5. Provost's Office reviews and finalizes the letter prepared by the department/school and sends it to the President for her approval.
6. Provost's Office transmits the letter to SUNY System.

For More Information

Contact Liz Abate, Assistant to the Provost/Assistant for Undergraduate Education and Learning, x72146 or labate@binghamton.edu.