Curricular Procedures

General Principles

The Curricular Affairs Committee processes undergraduate curriculum matters, including courses at the 100-, 200-, 300-, and 400-levels. The Graduate Council processes graduate curriculum matters, including courses at the 400-, 500-, 600-, and 900-levels. 400-level courses are processed simultaneously by the two committees unless they specify "not for graduate credit."

After curricular matters are approved by the faculty of the appropriate college(s) and signed by the Chairperson of the College Curriculum Committee and the College Dean, forward ALL electronic proposals to the Faculty Senate Office at urifacsen@gmail.com. The Faculty Senate Office will direct proposals to the Curricular Affairs Committee and/o rthe Graduate Council as appropriate.

Procedures

Major curricular matters require the approval of the Curricular Affairs Committee and/or the Graduate Council, the Faculty Senate, and the President. Less important matters require approval of the Curricular Affairs Committee and/or the Graduate Council but are reported to the Faculty Senate for informational purposes only. Routine changes are reported directly to the Secretary of the Curricular Affairs Committee by department chairpersons; they are not reviewed by the committees.

Major changes include creation of new degree or certificate programs, creation of new centers, creation of permanent courses, changes in curriculum, significant changes in existing courses, and deletion of courses.

Informational changes include changes in course numbers at the same level, minor changes in course titles, descriptions, grading method or method of instruction, changes in course prerequisites and cross-listing of approved courses. The Curricular Affairs Committee and Graduate Council have final authority as to whether changes are informational or major.

Editorial changes include minor editorial corrections in catalog descriptions of courses and programs and changes in frequency of course offering.

Interactive Curricular Forms

For both undergraduate and graduate courses, interactive forms for Course Proposals (for new permanent and temporary courses), and Course Changes (for modifications or deletions of existing courses) are available.

The Online Supplementary Proposal Form and instructions for electronic signatures are available on the web at http://www.uri.edu/gsadmis/GradFormsPage.html under For Faculty/Staff.

Note: Interactive forms should be downloaded to your desktop and opened in Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader. Please make sure you are NOT attempting to view forms via a web browser (Internet Explorer, FireFox, Safari).

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's about Curricular Procedures

Other Curricular Matters

Board of Governors Regulations Governing Academic Changes in R.I. Public Institutions of Higher Education

Academic Programs

URI's procedures for establishing new programs are found in sections 8.85.10-30 of the University Manual. Proposals for the addition or elimination of academic programs should be prepared using formats specified by the Board of Governors and kept on file in the office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Once approved by the appropriate college(s), these proposals are forwarded to either the Curricular Affairs Committee or the Graduate Council for review.

URI Program Cover Form (3/12)

Full Program Proposal Form
Abbreviated Program Proposal Form
Notice of Program Change Form
Program Closure Form

Budget Format
Budget Instructions

Organizational Units (Including Centers)

URI's procedures for the Establishment of Centers are outlined in sections 8.90.10-22 of the University Manual.

Full Organizational Unit Form
Abbreviated Organizational Unit Form
Notice of Change in Organizational Unit Form

Budget Format
Budget Instructions

Deadlines for Submission of Curricular Changes

Fall 2011 Curricular Letter from the Chair of the Curricular Affairs Committee and Graduate Council Versions of the Course Proposal and Course Change Proposal Forms in this letter are outdated. Use versions revised 3/12 found under NEWS FROM FACULTY SENATE, third column.

2012-2013 Catalog Deadlines, Publications Office

For additional information contact Sheila Black Grubman (SheilaFS@uri.edu)