W. Va. Code R. § 133-11-7 - Commission Review of New Program Proposals

7.1. A copy of the new program proposal is to be electronically submitted by the president or provost, to the Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs with documentation of the institutional board of governor's approval.

7.1.1. The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs will review the proposal confirming the submission's compliance with proper format requirements. Any format deficiencies shall be reported to the institution within ten working days of the date of submission.

7.1.2. The Commission shall consider all relevant factors in the program approval process but shall focus in particular on the following policy concerns:

7.1.2.a. New programs should not be implemented which change the institutional mission unless the institution also receives approval for expanding the institutional mission.

7.1.2.b. New programs which require significant additional expense investments for implementation should not be implemented unless the institution demonstrates that expenses shall be addressed by effective reallocation of existing resources or the expenses can be legitimately spread out over future years and will be covered by anticipated net revenues from new enrollments.

7.1.2.c. A new undergraduate program which is significantly similar to an existing program already in the geographic service area should not be implemented unless the requesting institution demonstrates a compelling need in the service area that is not being met by the existing program. Academic programs at the statutorily exempted schools are not to be taken into consideration except as it relates to academic programs offered at West Virginia University at Beckley and West Virginia University Institute of Technology at Beckley.

7.1.2.d. New program that constitutes a substantive change and/or change of mission for the institution may require consultation with an independent expert in the field prior to confirming format and issuing a recommendation to the Chancellor. This may extend the time needed for a final decision.

7.2. Once a recommendation by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs is submitted to the Chancellor, the Chancellor has five working days to forward a copy of relevant documents, including the program proposal and recommendation, to the Commissioners.

7.2.1. Commissioners have five working days to review the program proposal and address any concerns.

7.2.1.a. If no concerns are reported by the Commissioners to the Chancellor, a recommendation for approval will be forwarded by the Chancellor to the president and provost of the institution.

7.2.1.b. If there are concerns by any Commissioner, that Commissioner may request a special meeting to address the program concerns and consider the program for approval or rejection or modification.

7.3. Programs approved prior to a regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission shall be included as a public information item in the Chancellor's report at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission.

7.4. Once implemented, the institution shall evaluate the new program as part of the comprehensive program review process prescribed in 133 C.S.R. 10, Policy Regarding Program Review and Planning.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 133-11-7