Prioritization: Academic Programs
Program prioritization is an evidence-based process that will result in placing academic programs at Central Michigan University into one of five categories:
- Program is a candidate for enrichment.
- Program should be retained at a somewhat higher level of support.
- Program should be retained at a neutral level of support.
- Program should be retained but with a lower level of support.
- Program is a candidate for reduction, phasing out, or consolidation with another program.
Program prioritization will allow the comparison of one program to another based upon a common set of criteria. This process will provide information for CMU to make better decisions in the future.
Program prioritization will involve departments, colleges, the Provost and the President. Discussion with the faculty is critical and the process provides for multiple opportunities for input from faculty and the campus community. The process and timeline detailed in the following sections have been discussed at many levels beginning with the Council of Deans’ retreat in July 2010 followed by months of additional discussion and revision by Council members. The Council of Chairs had an opportunity to react to the plan in October, and several discussions occurred at the Academic Senate.
In addition to academic programs, all administrative service units will be reviewed and prioritized in a separate process. The purpose of program prioritization, both for academic programs and service functions, is to determine those programs and services which deserve and need additional resources and also to identify those programs and services which might be reduced or eliminated resulting in opportunities for redistribution of resources.