Academic Department Name Change Procedure

I. Procedure

  1. Department prepares a name change request in writing. Requests should include a rationale for the name change and any potential curricular or departmental impacts. Appropriate reasons for a department name change include but are not limited to marketing purposes for increasing enrollment, better reflection of the offered curricula, accreditation requirements, or disciplinary shifts.
  2. The request routes through the following governing bodies. Each body adds their recommendation in support of or against the name change and forwards the packet to the next body. The routing order is:
    1. School Council of Chairs
    2. School Dean
    3. Executive Committee of the Academic Senate (ExComm)
    4. Academic Senate
  3. If deemed necessary by ExComm, the Educational Policies Committee (EPC) may be asked to provide additional input on potential curricular impacts of the request.
  4. The Academic Senate will add its recommendation to the packet and forward it to the Provost.
  5. The Provost will then decide on the Department’s request, considering all recommendations.

II. Approval

Approved by the Provost’s Council and the Academic Senate.