Centralight

BY PROVOST GARY SHAPIRO Academic prioritization: A road map to Central Michigan University has achieved tremendous growth in both size and stature over the years, and the university continues to lay a strong foundation of excellence in how students are prepared academically for success. CMU has a long and strong legacy regarding excellence with faculty research and student achievement in the classroom. Yet, CMU, like other universities in Michigan, faces many challenges as we move forward into the future. These challenges make it increasingly important for CMU to continue to invest our financial resources as well as our human resources in a manner that will advance the university in an increasingly competitive environment. Academic prioritization will provide a road map in meeting that goal. Academic prioritization at Central Michigan University has provided a review and ranking of the more than 400 academic programs offered. The rankings are based on a number of items including student demand for the program, number of graduates, relevancy and length of time to complete the program. success The overall goal of the academic prioritization process is to determine how the university can better focus for the future by advancing academic excellence and student learning while making the university more responsive in areas of strength and emerging interest. The academic prioritization process took more than a year and involved input from faculty, the Academic Senate, the Council of Deans, deans advisory groups, senior leadership and the provost. The prioritization process categorized each program into one of five categories: Priority 1: candidate for enhancement Priority 2: retained at a somewhat higher level of support Priority 3: retained at a neutral level of support Priority 4: retained but at a lower level of support Priority 5: Candidate for reduction, phase out or consolidation with another program The priority rankings that resulted from this process of academic prioritization are expected to guide future resource and programmatic decisions at Central Michigan University for the foreseeable future. The data collected also will be used in the strategic planning process, which is currently underway. It is important to note that students currently majoring or minoring in programs targeted for elimination will graduate. Arrangements will be made to ensure completion of course work and graduation requirements for eliminated programs. This review has enhanced CMU's commitment to student learning and in so doing, makes the university more responsive in areas of strength and emerging interest with special attention to the needs of our current students, students who will attend for decades to come and the communities we serve. • centralight spring '12 7

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