Program Closure Policy

Academic programs (undergraduate majors, graduate certificates or degrees) may occasionally need to be closed due to under-enrollment or other strategic necessities. Closing a program can be initiated by the provost, an academic dean or a program director. Closing a program requires a teach-out plan so that students who entered the university expecting to be able to finish a program are able to do so. Often, closing a program is considered a substantive change by SACSCOC. 

The SACSCOC substantive change policy regarding program closure gives direction regarding requirements (https://sacscoc.org/app/uploads/2019/08/SubstantiveChange.pdf, page 43). Note that closing a program requires a teach-out plan and SACSCOC approval. Appendix A includes information on program closure requirements.  SACSCOC views program closure as when a program is "closed to admission or entry, not the cessation of instruction." 

Procedure:

1. Communicate program closure request to Provost

2. Contact SACSCOC liaison to receive teach-out plan template

3. Academic Council for a vote

4. Provost's council as information sharing (no vote)

5. Liaison begins program closure substantive change submission to SACSCOC

6. President's cabinet as information sharing (no vote)

7. BOT Academic Excellence Committee for a vote

8. Board of Trustees for a vote

Appendix A

Required teach-out plan components

The items listed below must be included in a teach-out plan. Contact the SACSCOC liaison to receive the official teach-out template.

1. Date of closure. This is the date when students will no longer be admitted to the program

2. Communication plan to inform all affected parties of the closure. This plan must address how each of the following parties will be informed of the impending closure: 

   1. currently enrolled students

   2. students with lapsed enrollment

   3. prospective students

   4. faculty and staff, including admissions, recruitment and marketing staff

   5. Community or industry partners

3. If applicable, teach-out agreement communication documentation from both EMU and from the teach-out institution

4. Assistance with program completion - explanation of how all affected students will be helped to complete their program with minimal disruption or additional costs.

5. Additional charges for students - will the students subject to the teach-out plan incur additional charges or other expenses because of the teach-out? If so, how will the students be notified?

6. Teach-out agreement documentation (if applicable)

7. Faculty and staff transitions - must address how both faculty and staff will be redeployed or helped to find new employment.

Responsible Party

The Provost is responsible for this policy.

Policy Review

This policy is to be reviewed every three years.

Distribution

Faculty/Staff Handbook

Approved by President’s Cabinet, October 2, 2024