(1) The Commission recognizes that liberal
arts are essential to quality academic offerings at all universities. At the
same time, the Commission believes that if the liberal arts are an important
component of the university experience, then liberal arts programs should meet
viability standards. All institutions do not have to offer a wide array of
programs in the liberal arts fields.
(2) Core liberal arts programs as recognized
by the Commission are subject to the same review policy, process, and
procedures described in
300-2-2-.01.
(3) To allow institutions an appropriate time
period to assess their existing core liberal arts programs, as defined in List
A below, the Commission establishes the following process.
(a) All core liberal arts programs will
undergo the Level I and Level II reviews. Any core liberal arts program which
does not appear on the viable program list as a result of the Level I and Level
II reviews will be placed on an exemption list for the three-year monitoring
period.
(b) During these three
years, the Commission encourages institutions to develop creative and
innovative approaches to offering core liberal arts education which also will
meet viability standards. It is expected that all possible alternatives will be
explored, including but not limited to distance education and technology,
resource sharing among institutions, and cooperative and joint
offerings.
(c) Each institution
with exempt core liberal arts programs will provide an annual report to the
Commission which summarizes activity during the year devoted to the assessment
and improvement of its exempt core liberal arts programs.
(d) At the end of the three-year monitoring
period, the president of each institution with core liberal arts programs on
the exemption list will provide a final report to the Commission which outlines
what efforts have been made and what outcomes achieved in quality and
productivity of the core liberal arts programs. The Commission will evaluate
the reports from each institution.
(e) In the case of any core liberal arts
programs which still do not meet the viability standard at the end of the
three-year monitoring period, the Commission will continue monitoring the
productivity for a final, additional three-year monitoring period (2000-01,
2001-02, 2002-03). At the conclusion of the final three-year monitoring cycle,
institutions will phase out any remaining non-viable core liberal arts programs
for which a waiver of non-viability is not sought out granted by the
Commission.
(4) Below
are listed baccalaureate core liberal arts programs in public four-year
institutions recognized by the Commission for the purpose of this
policy.
CIP Code Program Title
16.0402 Russian Lang. & Literature
16.0501 German Lang. & Literature
16.0901 French Lang. & Literature
16.0905 Spanish Lang. & Literature
16.1201 Classical & Ancient Near Eastern Lang &
Lit
23.0101 English Lang. & Literature
23.1001 Speech & Rhetorical Studies
26.0101 Biology, General
27.0101 Mathematics
38.0101 Philosophy
40.0501 Chemistry, General
40.0601 Geology
40.0801 Physics, General
42.0101 Psychology, General
45.0201 Anthropology
45.0601 Economics, General
45.0701 Geography
45.0801 History
45.1001 Political Science & Gov't
45.1101 Sociology
50.0101/50.0501 Drama/Theater Arts
50.0701/50.0702 Art
50.0901/50.9999 Music, General
Author: Kitty C. Collier
