Senate Bill No.: 0708-25
Proposed Amendment to the Senate Charter
(offered for Senate consideration by the Governance Council)
Initial Review Committee on Academic Proposals (IRCAP)
not originating from colleges and schools that offer degree programs
VII.8. Initial Review Committee of Academic Proposals (IRCAP)
VII.8.1. Composition of IRCAP
VII.8.1.1 IRCAP shall consist of at least 7 full-time members of the tenured Teaching Faculty, 3
of whom shall be from the College of Arts and Sciences, and one representative each from at
least four of the other schools and colleges that offer degree programs. IRCAP shall have one
graduate student selected by the Graduate Student Organization and one undergraduate student
selected by the Student Association President. The Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
(or designee), the Dean of Graduate Studies (or designee), and the Chair of the University Senate
(or designee) shall serve as voting ex officio members. All IRCAP members (whether ex officio
or not) shall recuse themselves from voting on any proposal that originates (either fully or
partially) from their units.
VII.8.1.2. The full-time tenured Teaching Faculty representing the colleges and schools will be
selected by the faculty governance bodies within their respective colleges and schools.
VII.8.1.3. Once a new committee is formed in the Spring for the following academic year, the
voting members of IRCAP shall elect a Chair from among the Teaching Faculty who are not ex
officio members of the body. The Chair shall serve a one-year term to begin in September. The
Chair of the Senate shall report the membership of IRCAP and its chair to the University Senate.
VII.8.2. Responsibilities of IRCAP
VII.8.2.1. IRCAP shall provide the first layer of academic review for proposals for courses and
programs neither originating from nor offered by colleges and schools that offer degree
programs. This committee serves an important function similar to that of academic
course/program review committees within colleges and schools.
VII.8.2.2. A proposal that is approved by IRCAP shall be forwarded to the Undergraduate
Academic Council and/or the Graduate Academic Council as appropriate.
VII.8.2.3. IRCAP shall provide a formal, written report of its academic review of
course/program proposals to the appropriate academic council(s) of the Senate. The written
report should specifically address the value of the proposed academic and institutional goals, the
number of academic credits requested, the proposed grading mode, strategies for assessment,
potential need for interim approvals followed by regular reviews, academic rigor, and
qualifications of instructors, plus other aspects deemed of academic interest.
VII.8.3. Appeals of IRCAP decisions
VII.8.3.1. The Committee on Mediation (Article X.1.6) shall be the body that reviews appeals
by individuals who believe that their proposals have not received a fair review by IRCAP. (A
friendly amendment in italics was introduced by the Chair of the GAC at the meeting of the
Senate Executive Committee on 2 May 2008) Depending on whether the proposal in question
was intended for the UAC or the GAC or both, the chair or chairs (or designee) of the council(s)
affected shall be voting participants during deliberations by the Committee on Mediation.
