This document outlines policies and procedures of the Snow College Curriculum Committee.
Please see the Curriculum Committee Constitution for details about the powers and duties of the committee.
All Snow College programs and curriculum are governed by policies approved by the
Utah State Board of Regents for the Utah System of Higher Education, including these:
The following policies and procedures outline how Snow College approves and oversees
programs and curriculum. Any questions about these policies may be discussed with
division representatives or the committee chair.
Master Syllabi
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Master Syllabi Procedures Overview
The Curriculum Committee will review all new curriculum proposals and changes in syllabi.
Changes are reviewed by the Curriculum Committee after review and approval from the
department chair and division dean. The following chart summarizes the master syllabi
full review process. The Curriculum Committee regularly evaluates this process and
makes changes as needed.
New Course Syllabi |
5 Year Review |
Department identifies need for course |
Department notified of course expiration |
Department designates appropriate full-time faculty member to create course |
Department designates appropriate full-time faculty member to revise course |
Course created in consultation with Curriculum Committee division representative and
General Education Committee division representative (GE courses only) |
Course revised in consultation with Curriculum Committee division representative and
General Education Committee division representative (GE courses only) |
Course reviewed by GE division representative (GE courses only) |
Course reviewed by GE division representative (GE courses only) |
Course reviewed by department chair |
Course reviewed by department chair |
Course reviewed by division dean |
Course reviewed by division dean |
Course reviewed by Curriculum Committee division representative (non-GE courses) |
Course reviewed by Curriculum Committee division representative (non-GE courses) |
Course review by GE Committee (GE courses only) |
Course review by GE Committee (GE courses only) |
Course reviewed by Curriculum Committee |
Course reviewed by Curriculum Committee |
Courses should be submitted using Argos information management system. All information,
including the catalog copy, master syllabus, approvals, and notifications, is handled
within the online system.
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Courses Needing Review
- All new courses must go through full review process.
- All existing courses go through a full review at least every 5 years or if any of
the following occur:
- Change in the course number or course name
- Change in the number of credit hours
- Significant revision of course content, such as outcomes, scope, content, or method
of instructions
- Cross listing of courses between two or more departments or programs
- Change in resources
- The following changes do not need to go through the full review process:
- Rewording of catalog description
- Change in prerequisites or corequisites
- Minor changes in the organization of a course
- Minor updates in course content.
- Change in KPI percentages
- Allowing a course to be offered as an online course
- When courses need minor changes, program managers should notify the Curriculum Committee
representative for presentation before the committee.
- Program managers or department chairs may request courses to be inactivated by notifying
their Curriculum Committee representatives.
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New and Reviewed Courses
Division deans and department chairs may create courses per the needs of students,
the requirements of accrediting bodies, and the development of programs. The following
guidelines should be observed in the creation of new courses and review of existing
courses.
- Courses should be created only if the college has resources sufficient to teach the
course.
- Courses should reflect trends at sister educational institutions, in the industries,
etc.
- Courses should be rigorous and improve educational opportunities for students.
- Courses should parallel requirements by the state and should have high transferability.
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Syllabi Author Creation/Review
- Authors are determined by department chairs or division deans. Authors should have
significant training in and knowledge of content area of course.
- When creating or editing syllabi, course authors should use the current rubric.
- Syllabi authors have a responsibility to make all requested edits before syllabi are
approved.
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Committee Member Review
- Curriculum and GE Committee members have access to syllabi in their respective divisions
within Argos beginning with the In Progress status. GE Committee members have access
only to GE syllabi.
- Curriculum and GE Committee members are responsible for reviewing and approving syllabi
within their divisions before syllabi are reviewed by the respective full committee.
They should be aware of any changes new syllabi might make to programs.
- Curriculum and GE Committee members are responsible for communicating decisions regarding
syllabi status and other relevant matters to the appropriate individuals within the
body they represent (syllabi authors, department chairs, deans, etc.).
- Curriculum and GE Committee members should use the rubric and guidelines defined by
their respective committees.
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Department Chair and Dean Review
- Department chairs should review syllabi according to policies and practices within
their discipline and department. They should use the current rubric. They should complete
the resource field within the Argos database.
- Division deans should review syllabi according to policies and practices within their
discipline and division. They should use the current rubric. They should complete
the resource field within the Argos database.
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GE Committee Review (GE Courses Only)
- The GE Committee will review GE courses according to their established policies and
procedures.
- GE course designation changes go into effect the next academic catalog year, unless
otherwise approved. Changes must be approved by both committees by the end of January.
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Curriculum Committee Review
- Curriculum Committee members receive access to all syllabi indicated as pending in
the Argos database. Curriculum Committee members should carefully review each syllabus
according to the Syllabus Instructions and Requirements document and the rubric established
by the committee.
- The Curriculum Committee will discuss syllabi pending in the database at each meeting
(according to the chair’s discretion).
- The voting members of Curriculum Committee will vote on syllabi according to quorum/voting
procedures. Votes can be for the following:
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Approved
Approved syllabi will be moved to “approved” status in the database and the
old course syllabi will be inactivated within 2 business days.
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Returned
Returned syllabi will be returned to syllabi authors within 2 business days
for revision. Division representatives should work with syllabi authors on revisions.
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Approved pending changes
Syllabi may be approved pending minor changes. Syllabi authors may be requested
to make these changes or members of Curriculum Committee may make the changes.
- Division representatives should know status of syllabi and inform the appropriate
database manager when syllabi can be moved to approved status.
- Division representatives should inform syllabi authors within two business days of
the Curriculum Committees decision with any required or recommended changes as well
as the next steps.
- Syllabi updates go into effect the semester following approval, unless otherwise approved.
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Syllabi Definitions and Rubric
The Syllabus Instructions and Requirements document should be consulted during review
and creation of syllabi. All courses will be reviewed according to the following rubric.
GE and Curriculum Rubric for Syllabi
Special Projects
Credit through a special project may be earned if there is a demonstrated need that
cannot be met through enrollment in a regularly scheduled course. Credit for a special
project normally should be one or two credit hours, depending on the work completed.
Projects must be approved by the Curriculum Committee.
- The student, in consultation with the instructor, completes and signs the form.
- The instructor completes the form.
- The respective division dean must approve the contract and keep a copy of the approved
form.
- The contract goes to the Curriculum Committee Division Representative for projects
of one credit hour and to the Curriculum Committee for projects of two or more credit
hours for final approval.
- After the contract is approved, the student may register for the project.
- When the requirements have been completed and evaluated, the instructor should submit
a grade online, or on a Grade Change Card.
Programs
R401 governs procedures for creating and approving programs.
New Certificate Procedures
- The approved template and rubric will be used for all certificates.
- New certificates must be approved by the Chief Academic Officer office before being
sent to the Curriculum Committee for approval.
- The committee will review and give feedback on all new proposals. Individuals who
propose new certificates or revise existing ones may attend committee meetings to
discuss new certificates or revisions.
- The committee may ask for further clarification on any certificate or revision.
- Once the Curriculum Committee approves the certificate, the proposal will be sent
to the Budget Committee for final budget and resource approval.
- The Board of Trustees is then informed about new certificates.
Revisions to Existing Certificates
- Revisions to existing certificates should be presented to the committee in a clear
manner, preferably in writing before the meeting, and program managers are welcome
to attend meetings to discuss changes. The committee will consider the following when
reviewing revisions:
- Do the changes benefit students?
- Do the changes use resources in appropriate and beneficial ways?
- Do the changes benefit the college?
- Do the changes impact other programs or course offerings?
Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degrees Procedures
- When revising or creating degree programs, authors should follow the requirements
outlined in R401.
- Authors may ask for and receive feedback from the committee before submitting a final
proposal.
- All program changes go into effect the next academic year, except in exceptional situations.
- Program changes should be submitted to the committee by the end of January.
Audits and Assessment
- Routine audits are performed ensuring individual courses meet master syllabi requirements
for credit hours each semester. Routine audits are also performed for programs to
ensure programs meet published guidelines (see course catalogues). These happen at
the department and division level.
- Individual course syllabi are also routinely assessed by the Curriculum Committee
to ensure they follow standards set forth in approved master course syllabi.
- Curriculum Committee Assessment of Course Syllabi: Each year, the Curriculum Committee
indicates a subset of courses syllabi to review for consistency with master course
syllabi. Over the course of a five-year period, sample syllabi from every discipline
and kind of course are reviewed.
- Individual programs and courses are assessed regularly each year during the college-mandated
assessment period. Departments and divisions determine assessment priorities.
- Program changes must be approved by Curriculum Committee before they can be updated
in the current catalog.
Appeals from Subcommittees
- Appeals from subcommittees should follow polcies and procedures posted in the academic
catalog.
Other Policies
- Closed Sessions: In the case of discussion of sensitive information, such as an appeal
from the Academic Standards Committee, Curriculum Committee may move into a closed
session. A committee member should motion for the meeting to transition into closed
session, and the vote should carry. Those in attendance who are not members of the
committee will be invited to leave. Detailed minutes will not be kept.
Approved: 2/4/2019
Revised: 9/13/2024