The Academic Affairs Council, which is chaired by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, is Stephen F. Austin State University Self-Study 107 composed of the Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research, the Deans of the Colleges, the Director of the Library, the Director of Instructional Technology, the Director of Admissions, and the Registrar. Each College is headed by a Dean, who is responsible for seeing that the programs of the college are clearly related to the purpose of the institution. The Dean may be advised by an elected group of faculty - the college council. The Dean works closely with Department Chairs to see that new programs are developed as needed to further the mission of the university, and that programs not serving that purpose are phased out. Deans are responsible for the academic advising of students who are on academic probation and suspension, as well as the undecided majors in their colleges.
Departments are responsible for instruction and for academic advising of their majors.
The objectives of both Colleges and Departments are subservient to the Mission of the University. As a further check to see that the educational program is clearly related to the Mission of the University, Stephen F. Austin State University requires that each new course, each course change, and each course deletion be reviewed by a Curriculum Committee composed of faculty from the various colleges. The burden of proof that a new course, a course change, or a course deletion is needed is on the department proposing it. A final check is done at the state level, as the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has the ultimate authority over courses and programs offered by public institutions of higher learning.