The Academic Resource Management Committee (ARMC) has a threefold responsibility related to the fiscal assessment of programs at the university:
1. Review proposals for new academic programs or changes to existing programs that require the investment of additional resources
Types of curriculum changes that require the ARMC’s approval include new majors; new concentrations within existing programs; curricular customization of existing programs for off-campus cohort groups; new minors that require 3 or more new classes and/or new resources; new certificates that require 3 or more new classes and/or new resources; and the reconstitution of warehoused programs.
The Academic Resource Management Form A (ARMF A) (docx) is used for these kinds of changes. All new or revised programs are then monitored by the ARMC for three years.
2. Review proposals for the warehousing or discontinuation of programs that will result in cost savings
Types of curriculum changes that require the ARMC’s approval include the warehousing or discontinuation of majors, concentrations, certificates, and minors.
The Academic Resource Management Form B (ARMF B) (docx) is used for these kinds of changes.
3. Review annual data
The ARMC reviews the annual data supplied to academic departments by the Provost’s office, discusses enrollment trends, and monitors programs on Cost Containment Plans, Enrollment Improvements Plans, and all program proposals approved by the ARMC in the last three years. The ARMC can also recommend that programs develop Cost Containment Plans or Enrollment Improvement Plans accordingly.
The ARMC does not replace the Educational Policies and Curriculum Committee (EPCC) or the University Faculty Senate (UFS), but rather provides critical fiscal assessment prior to a proposal being presented to the EPCC. Because proposals will still need to pass through these other important university committees, the minimum target date for implementing any new curricular proposal is one year from when it is submitted to the ARMC.
Meetings and Members
The ARMC meets on the third Tuesday of the month during the academic year and once in the summer. The members of the committee include the Provost (committee chair), President of the UFS, Academic Deans, Associate Provost, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Assessment and Accreditation, Vice President of the UFS, and one at-large faculty member.
Procedures
The ARMC adheres to the following procedures in its consideration of curriculum changes:
- Initiator of proposal for curriculum change completes the appropriate Academic Resource Management Form (ARMF A (docx) or ARMF B (docx)) and submits it electronically to the appropriate chair or supervisor a minimum of 4 weeks prior to an ARMC meeting. If the proposal involves more than one department or program, the proposal should be submitted to the chairs or directors of each department/program involved.
- Chairperson/Director reviews the ARMF, consults with people affected by it, provides comments, and then, forwards the proposal to the appropriate dean within 2 weeks.
- Dean reviews the ARMF, consults with relevant people, provides comments, and forwards to the Office of the Provost within 2 weeks.
- The Office of the Provost sends electronic copies of the ARMF to the ARMC in the week before its scheduled meeting.
- The initiator attends the ARMC and gives a short presentation about his/her proposal to the committee. The initiator may invite others involved with the proposal to attend and participate in the presentation.
- Following the presentation, the Provost, in consultation with the ARMC, will determine if the committee will vote on the proposal or if the vote will be postponed to another meeting. The vote will determine whether the committee
- recommends support of the proposal, or
- recommends that the proposal be held in abeyance for a specified time, or
- does not recommend support of the proposal.
- Once the vote has been taken, the Provost will forward the ARMC’s recommendation to the initiator.