Nebraska Administrative Code › Topic - COORDINATING COMMISSION FOR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION › Title 281 - COORDINATING COMMISSION FOR POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION › Chapter 4 - RULES AND REGULATIONS CONCERNING REVIEW OF PROGRAMS OF PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES › Section 281-4-006 - REVIEW OF EXISTING PROGRAMS

Current through June 17, 2024
006.01 The primary purposes of the review of
				existing programs are to provide evidence of on-going need and demand for
				existing programs and to assist the Commission to exercise its responsibility
				to authorize continuation of the program or to discontinue the program. The
				governing boards of the public institutions shall be responsible for assuring
				the quality and effectiveness of programs offered by their institutions. The
				criteria shall not infringe on the prerogative of the governing boards to make
				decisions on the quality of staff and the design of curriculum.
006.02 The basic unit of review may be the
				academic department or equivalent academic organization unit with first-line
				responsibility for delivery and administration of instructional programs. The
				review shall focus on the instructional programs offered by the unit that are
				within the discipline or disciplines identified by the Commission for review
				during that year.
006.03 The
				schedule for the reviews shall be set by the Commission in consultation with
				the institutions' governing boards or their designated representatives. To the
				extent possible, while still allowing for timely review by the Commission, the
				reviews shall coincide with the institutional review and accreditation
				cycles.
006.04 The format for the
				program review reports sent to the Commission may be set by the Commission. The
				reports shall include materials upon which the governing board made its
				decision.
006.05 Any program
				authorized by action of the Legislature or a governing board, and in existence
				prior to January 1, 1992, shall be considered approved until the approval is
				withdrawn by the Commission under these rules.
006.06 For each instructional program
				reviewed, the governing board shall authorize the institution to (1)
				discontinue the program, (2) recommend that the Commission authorize
				continuation of the program, (3) direct the institution to initiate an in-depth
				review of the program, and/or (4) offer an alternative option.
006.07 Following action by the governing
				board, the institution shall submit program review reports to the Commission.
Program review reports for existing programs that are
				  identified for discontinuation based on the results of a program review shall
				  be submitted by the governing board to the Commission for information. No
				  Commission action is required for discontinued programs.
Program review reports for existing programs designated by
				  the governing board for in-depth review shall be submitted to the Commission
				  for information. The institution shall submit the report of the in-depth review
				  to the governing board. The governing board shall authorize the institution to
				  discontinue the program or recommend that the Commission authorize continuation
				  of the program.
006.08 Each
				existing program recommended by the governing board for continuation but which
				is not in substantial compliance with the review criteria established by the
				Commission shall be targeted by the Commission for in-depth review to be
				conducted by the public institution and its governing board. The in-depth
				review shall focus on the review criteria that were not met and shall be
				completed by a date set by the Commission.
006.09 Following an in-depth review directed
				by the Commission, the governing board shall submit to the Commission its
				findings and recommendations regarding continuation or discontinuation of the
				program.
006.10 If the Commission
				determines, following an in-depth review, that a program is not in substantial
				compliance with the criteria of the Commission, the Commission shall hold a
				public hearing, following thirty days' notice to the public institution, to
				consider if the program should be continued or discontinued. Following a
				hearing, the Commission shall take action to approve or disapprove continuance
				of the program. The Commission may monitor an approved program by requiring the
				institution to submit a periodic status report on compliance with Commission
				criteria.
006.11 Existing programs
				disapproved for continuance by the Commission shall be terminated by the public
				institution on a date mutually agreed upon by which time all students in the
				program on the date of the decision of the Commission will have had a
				reasonable opportunity, as determined by the governing board of the public
				institution, to complete the program or be otherwise accommodated.
006.12 CRITERIA FOR THE REVIEW OF EXISTING
				PROGRAMS
006.12A
Needs and
				Demand
The program meets or will meet educational needs and
				demands.
006.12B
Assure
				Efficiency
The program operates or will be operated
				efficiently.
006.12C
Avoid Unnecessary Duplication
The program does not
				constitute unnecessary duplication of similar programs offered by other
				postsecondary institutions in Nebraska or through interstate
				agreements.
006.12D
Centrality to the Role and Mission of the Public
				Institutions.
The program shall be consistent with the
				institutional role and mission, as defined by law and in the Comprehensive
				Statewide Plan as approved by the Commission.