ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION

TSTC Harlingen is committed to meeting or exceeding the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) criteria and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) guidelines relating to establishing, reviewing, monitoring and evaluating its curricula.

PROCEDURE

1. The President will appoint members to a Curriculum Committee according to the following criteria:
   1. The Curriculum Committee shall be a standing committee representing faculty and administration.
   2. The Curriculum Committee shall be composed of:
      1. one faculty member and the Division Director representing each of the Health, Computer Information Systems, General Education, Industrial/Manufacturing and Engineering Technology divisions;
      2. the Associate Vice President for Student Learning;
      3. the Director of Institutional Effectiveness; and
      4. the Coordinator of Curriculum;
      5. the Director of Collaborative Projects; and
      6. one Faculty Senate representative. Ex-officio members include the Director of Admissions and Records and College Information.
   3. Faculty members shall serve for a period of three years, except for members identified by title.
2. The general responsibilities of the Curriculum Committee are to become familiar with the process by which new curricula are established, reviewed and approved; to periodically review and ensure that all existing curricula meet SACS Principles of Accreditation and THECB guidelines; to participate in the development and review of academic programs recommended to the governing board; and to contribute to maintain integrity and accuracy in the manner in which curricula are reflected in the catalog and other publications. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
   1. Review existing AAS curricula to ensure that each contains a basic core of general education courses.
   2. Each three year period, review existing syllabi for uniformity of format and to ensure that each contains an updated task listing and the competencies set forth in the Secretary’s Commission for Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) report.
   3. Assist and work with the Coordinator of Curriculum in the institution-wide coordination of programmatic and curriculum changes.
   4. Assist in the review of curriculum section of the catalog and the college’s Web-site for accuracy, completeness and consistency of course descriptions with those in the WECM.
   5. Review existing curricula and programmatic changes to identify unwarranted proliferation of course offerings and degree programs.
   6. Review, monitor and evaluate proposed new curricula and proposed changes in existing curricula to ensure that established procedures are followed, and that each new curriculum or curriculum change is coherent and compatible with the College Mission relates directly, and is appropriate, to higher education and the ability and preparation of the students admitted, and to the financial and instructional resources of the institution.
   7. Review curriculum-related articulation agreements with area high schools and other educational institutions.
   8. Review the Course Information Sheets for consistency of format and oversees its availability to all students at the beginning of the quarter.
3. The Curriculum Committee will meet once per semester or, in most cases, more frequently in order to fulfill its responsibilities. The committee:
   1. Will normally work through the office of the Coordinator of Curriculum and the office of the Director of Institutional Effectiveness.
   2. Will periodically forward its recommendations to the Vice President for Student Learning with a copy to the President.
   3. Will be monitored and its progress evaluated by the Vice President of Student Learning.