The same can be said of programs high in both quality and external impact but low in centrality. In other words, if a program is high in quality and is either central to the University's goals or has high external impact, cost criteria are relevant primarily to a decision on whether to strengthen or maintain the program. In the course of considering program reductions, two principles are particularly important. The first is to minimize the impact on students of a program reduction by ensuring that all students enrolled in the program can complete their degrees on schedule. The second is to respect the concept of academic freedom.
Student impact is also important to consider in the case of program enhancements.
A two-part program evaluation process is envisioned. Quality and centrality will be evaluated first. The secondary criteria could also permit distinctions among programs evaluated similarly in terms of quality and centrality. Overall, we expect these six criteria, if applied judiciously, to promote the selective strengthening and selective trimming necessary to improve the overall quality of the University in the next few years.