Office of the Provost Class Cancellation Guidelines

(Revised 05.22.15)

 

The following policy was formulated in conjunction with the academic deans and serves to guide our decision-making with respect to class cancellations. All schedule adjustments and class cancellation decisions are made primarily on the basis of the educational needs of students, educational goals of departments and the mission of the university. However, financial considerations will be taken into account in all class cancellation decisions to ensure effective use of state resources.

Dean’s Discretion

For all academic sessions, the deans may consider the unique nature of the discipline, the rotation of courses, timely graduation of students, financial impact, part time ratio and/or other factors when making final decisions on enrollment thresholds and class cancellations.

Fall and Spring Semesters

  1. In all cases, minimum enrollment thresholds will be determined and special situations will be identified by the appropriate academic dean in consultation with department chairs.
  2. The academic deans will review the enrollments in all courses within their respective schools not later than seven (7) business days prior to the start of classes.
  3. In most cases, course cancellations will align with CBA article 4.6.1 – seven (7) business days before the first day of classes. However, deans may choose to cancel under-enrolled classes before the deadline to allow students/faculty additional time to adjust their schedules.
  4. Deans will make every attempt not to delay the cancellation of classes beyond the deadline. Departments with a history of late registration should notify students that under-enrolled classes will be cancelled on the deadline.
  5. Deans will notify affected departments, through the chairs, when a final decision is made regarding the cancellation of a course.

Summer and Winter Sessions

  1. In all cases, minimum enrollment thresholds will be determined and special situations will be identified by the appropriate academic dean in consultation with department chairs.
  2. Five days before the start of each session, the appropriate academic dean will review all enrollments within their respective schools.
  3. The average enrollment for all classes offered by a department in a given session will be considered by the Dean, in consultation with the department chair, when making cancellation decisions.
  4. Deans will notify affected departments, through the chairs, when a final decision is made regarding the cancellation of a course.