| (a) A new doctoral degree program that fails to satisfy
all conditions of approval by the end of the first five years following
program implementation shall be notified in writing of said failure
by the Board staff. Within sixty (60) days of receipt of notification,
the program shall:
(1) provide to the Board staff a written report containing
the institution's findings as to why all conditions of approval were
not met;
(2) submit a written plan describing how the program
will fulfill all unsatisfied conditions of approval within one year;
and
(3) at the end of the one-year period provide a report
to the Board staff on whether or not all unsatisfied conditions of
approval have been fulfilled.
(b) A new doctoral degree program that fails to satisfy
all remaining conditions of approval during the one-year period referenced
in subsection (a)(2) of this section shall be required to show cause
why the program should not be closed.
(c) Program Closure. If it is determined that a new
doctoral degree program is in jeopardy of noncompliance with the conditions
of its approval, Coordinating Board staff may notify the institution
in writing with a recommendation. If the institution where the program
is located wishes to close the program, the institution shall:
(1) give appropriate notification to the Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges;
(2) cease to admit new students to the program and
provide Board staff with the names, dates of admission, and projected
graduation dates of all students currently enrolled in the program;
(3) teach-out students currently enrolled in the program
over a period of time not to exceed one and one-half times the normal
program length. The Commissioner may extend the duration of the teach-out
period if the institution presents compelling evidence that an extension
is appropriate and necessary;
(4) ensure that all courses necessary to complete the
program are offered on a timely basis;
(5) close the program when the last student enrolled
in the program has graduated or the teach-out period has lapsed; and
(6) notify the Coordinating Board when the program
is finally closed.
(d) If the institution chooses not to follow the recommendation,
Coordinating Board staff may send the recommendation to the governing
board of the institution. If the governing board does not accept the
recommendation to eliminate the program, then the university system
or, where a system does not exist, the institution must identify the
programs recommended for closure by the Coordinating Board on the
next legislative appropriations request submitted by the system or
institution.
|
