Program Discontinuance
References: Education Code Sections 70902 (b) and 78016; Title 5 Sections 51022 and 55130
Southwestern Community College District is committed to providing excellent educational programs that prepare students to meet the challenges in their chosen field. Programs that are no longer viable, once identified by the School/Center and supported by the program review process, should be considered for discontinuance. The Program Discontinuance Policy and Procedure serves as the mechanism allowing College District programs to remain contemporary, dynamic, and pragmatic.
College District Policy and Procedure No. 2515 (the 10 + 1 Agreement between the District and the Academic Senate) provide for the College District to rely primarily upon the Academic Senate to determine the criteria and process regarding curriculum and program viability. The Academic Program Review Committee, a standing committee of the Academic Senate, is assigned the task of administering Program Review. The Program Review process takes place on a rotating basis for each discipline. However, review may be initiated at any time, if and when it is determined that a program may be experiencing factors that have a negative impact on academic offerings. This determination will be made by faculty and administrators utilizing the Program Review process.
The following five criteria for program discontinuance are based on the current edition of Program and Course Approval Handbook (PCAH), California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office:
- The goals and objectives of the Program are no longer appropriate to the Mission of the California Community Colleges nor congruent with the Institutional Strategic Plan of the District.
- The Program no longer meets industry needs and lacks demand in the current job market and is not considered an emerging industry or career or the program curriculum no longer aligns with university transfer majors or General Education requirements.
- The Program does not meet curriculum standards as defined by Title 5 §55100.
- There are insufficient resources to realistically support the program at a sufficient level of quality, and the Program has experienced continued low or declining enrollment (55% of class max or more) for a sustained period of time (generally four or more semesters), which is demonstrated by continued low persistence and completion rates in the program supported by reliable, valid and longitudinal data.
- The Program has been determined to be out of compliance with existing state or federal laws, i.e. Title 5 §55130(d), or licensing laws in particular occupations.
