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New Academic Initiatives Process Checklist

Phase I: Development of the Concept

  1.  ___A member of the Institute academic community submits an initial concept proposal. The document should be presented in writing to the dean or director of the academic unit where the program will be housed.  The dean should work with the submitter(s) to assure that the program is consistent with the goals of the unit, the school, and the Institute.
    1. The concept document should be designed as an executive summary on the nature of the program being proposed. Key philosophical or educational concepts, the rationale for timing of the proposal, the programmatic rationale and purpose, environmental (institutional, local, regional, national) indicators that are favorable for the program, implications for other Institute programs (space, technology, labs, etc.), and any inherent risks should be included.
    2. A detailed budget is not required at this phase; preliminary identification of necessary resources should be highlighted and preliminary enrollment projections should be offered.
  2. ___Review by the Office of the Provost is completed and the Provost offers preliminary approval for the concept to proceed.
  3. ___At the next regularly scheduled IHP faculty meeting the dean or director will make a brief presentation to the faculty regarding the concept. This presentation will be provided for informational purposes.  Faculty members present will be encouraged to ask questions or comment on the proposal.
  4. ___The Provost will convene the New Initiatives Committee, where the submitter and the dean or director will make a presentation regarding the concept.  The New Initiatives Committee will have the opportunity to review the proposal, hear the presentation from the unit, and ask questions for clarification. The committee will advise the Provost as to their agreement with the concept and will provide any additional recommendations that may be helpful.
  5. ___The Provost will take the proposal to the Academic Council, who will review the recommendations from the dean or director and from the New Initiatives Committee.  The Academic Council will have the opportunity to vote on the concept proposal and to make additional recommendations.  If the Academic Council approves, then Phase II is initiated.
Phase II: Development of the Full Proposal
___Upon the completion, the full proposal will be presented to the faculty of the pertaining school or to CIPSI for approval. This final proposal must include the curriculum for the program, a detailed budget for startup and for continuation, discussion of enrollment plans, and any specific resource needs that have been identified.
  1. ___Upon the approval by the school or CIPSI, any new courses being developed will be presented to the CCRC for their review and approval.
  2. ___Upon completion of the curriculum, the proposal is forwarded to the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Administration for approval.
  3. ___Once the CCRC has approved the courses, the proposal is forwarded to the Faculty Senate for review and final internal approval.

Phase III: Governance Review and Approval

  1. ___The Provost will schedule a presentation, discussion, and vote by the Academic and Student Affairs Committee of the Board. The ASAC has the option of referring the proposal back to the Provost for modification or to the full Board with their recommendation for approval.
  2. ___Upon approval by the committee, the Chair of ASAC will recommend the program to the Institute Board for approval, and if approved, a recommendation will be made to the MGH Board of Trustees.
    1. It should be noted that if the degree program requires approval by a specialized (disciplinary) accrediting body, it is essential that the program director and/or dean assure that all applications, fees, self-study, or other processes are completed according to the program timeline that has been proposed.
  3. ___The program needs approval by the MGH Board of Trustees.
  4. ___Once approved by the MGH Board of Trustees, the program will be submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Education and Massachusetts Board of Higher Education for approval. The application and approval process with the Board of Higher Education requires a detailed application, a site visit or paper review, recommendation by the review committee, public hearing, review by the BHE Accountability Committee, and final consideration by the BHE. This process may take up to 9 months, and this time should be factored into the proposed program timeline.
  5. ___In most cases, with receipt of the notification by the Board of Higher Education, the program is able to advertise, recruit, and enroll students.  Action required by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (the institutional accreditor) includes notification of the Board and review, in some cases. When required, this review does not typically limit enrollment and will be completed over the course of the program startup.

Tracking Sheet - New Initiatives Process (pdf)