Policy Statement

The College has many minors, majors, and graduate degrees that are distinct from the degree programs that our departments traditionally offer. Many of these other minors, majors, and degrees are interdisciplinary and have participating faculty from a variety of departments and even other colleges and schools.

This policy clarifies when these other minors, majors, and degrees will be considered “programs” in the College. A program is any minor, major, or degree that is distinct from the traditional minor, major, or degree offered by our departments and which

1. Is independent from any department in the College;
2. Has a director who is appointed by and reports to the Dean or designees;
3. Has a participating faculty supporting the program with an approved internal governance policy which includes a process for selecting director nominees.

Programs are eligible for financial support from the Dean’s Office based on their level of student enrollment and other factors, including their contributions to diversity to the College offerings and the campus community. Participating faculty often find programs to be an important focus for shared research, scholarship, and public engagement.

Minors, majors, and degrees that are within departments are not programs. Faculty in the department oversee and administer these, and the department is responsible for any financial support needed for their administration.