3357:12-12-11-Academic Program Sunset Policy

ACADEMIC PROGRAM SUNSET POLICY 3357:12:12-11

A. POLICY
This policy establishes process for Zane State College to consider the appropriateness of academic program continuance that is systematic, regular, and focused review of the needs of the community and alignment with the institution’s strategic plan. This ongoing review process will consider key data such as environmental conditions such as regional and state job markets, enrollment, placement, and transfer success of the College’s programs. Ultimately, this policy’s intent is to provide an important mechanism for keeping the curricular offerings current, well tied to workforce needs, and assists the College with sound fiscal oversight and resource management.

B. POLICY GUIDELINES
Academic program continuance is tied to the Academic Program Review process which assesses student success measures, connectivity to business and industry, and enrollment and contribution margin analysis data.

• Annually, a summation of program review data is presented to the President’s Cabinet. All programs are reviewed bi-annually so that every program has a completed program review every two years.
• Programs that have not met their enrollment and contribution margin goals will be specifically reviewed by a review committee of the Deans, Provost and CFO who will assess these findings within the context of local and regional business and industry needs.
• The review committee will make a recommendation to the President for each program not reaching enrollment and contribution margin goals.
  • Recommendations may include program redesign, new enrollment strategies, program closure, or other solutions.
  • These recommendations will be presented with references given to regional and local business and industry needs projections.
• Program closure decisions must follow Higher Learning Commission and Ohio Department of Higher Education expectations for reasonable community and student notification and appropriate teach-out planning.

C. POLICY HISTORY
This policy aligns with the Program Review Policy and follows expectation of the Higher Learning Commission, Ohio Department of Higher Education, and multiple program specific accreditation agencies.

• Policy approved by President’s Cabinet and the Board of Trustees November 2019