__________________________________________
(Name of Program)
INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAM COUNCIL
BYLAWS/Operating Guidelines
I.
Program Overview
The {insert name of major/minor/concentration} is an interdisciplinary program, which
connects faculty, course offerings and experiences, involving the collaboration and support
from the department(s) of {insert name of departments} and the college(s) of (insert name of
college(s)}. The responsible college for the {insert program name} is the College of {insert
college name}.
1.1 Program Mission.*
1.2 Program Goals.* The goals of the {insert program name} are to:
 provide students. . . to meet the needs of a diverse student population.

etc ……….
1.3 Student Learning Outcomes.* Upon graduation, students of the {insert program name}
will be able to:




etc ……….
*If the council is responsible for governing more than one area of study a Mission, Program Goals and
Student Learning Outcomes must be stated separately through expanding or adjusting sub-headings.
II. Council Membership
The {insert name} Council shall consist of the following voting members.
2.1 Faculty. At least one faculty representative, from each department involved with the
program. Each faculty member will serve a minimum of a three-year term, which is
renewable. Council members must be a program advisor during the time they are on
the council. Program advisors are faculty members who teach, mentor students, and
supervise student research projects within the program each year.
2.2 Student. At least one student involved in the program, appointed by the Program
Director. The student member will serve a minimum of a one-year term, which is
renewable.
2.3 Program Director. The Program Director who will also serve as the Council Chair.
III. Council Charge
The {insert name} Council is charged with overseeing the operations of the {insert name}
Program and conducting periodic program review. Specific activities of the council include
the following:
3.1 Curriculum

Initiate and approve curricular changes, including approval of new courses for
inclusion in the program.

Forward modifications of courses, designators or other aspects of interdisciplinary
curricula approved by the council through the curricular process according to the
process defined by the curricular authority document.
3.2 Faculty Involvement
3.3
3.4

Establish and publish qualifications for and recommend program advisors and
faculty to the Dean responsible for overseeing the program. Program advisors are
faculty members who teach, mentor students, and supervise student research
projects within the program each year.

Garner advise from faculty who teach in the program through meetings that occur
at least once a semester.
Student Requirements

Establish an appropriate advising process; Program Admission, Retention and
Terminations Standards; marketing and promotion materials; and ensure all
documents properly display the correct information.

Approve each capstone project or culminating research project for each student in
the program.
Program Review

Advise the Program Director in conducting periodic program review in accordance
with University policy.

Review master course syllabi (MCS) every seven years.

Ensure that all program faculty have entered critical vita information into the Online
Faculty Information System (OFIS) prior to program review or Higher Learning
Commission accreditation.
3.5 Student Learning Outcomes Assessment

Conduct student outcomes assessments and reports in accordance with university
policy.

Advise the Program Director regarding development of student learning outcomes
assessment plans.
3.6

Annually review assessment plan findings to assist the Program Director in
developing an action plan for the purpose of program improvement.

Assist the Program Director in the implementation of assessment plans and action
plans for the purpose of program improvement.

Conduct periodic review and assist in modification of the student outcomes
assessment plans, action plans and assessment reports prior to document
submission to the appropriate university office.
Committees

Form committees to carry out the charges of the council and meet program goals,
as needed. Committees will be formed at the request of the Council Chair or by
majority vote of the council.
IV. Program Director/Council Chair
The Council will recommend appointment of a Program Director to the Dean delegated to
oversee the program. The Program Director must be a program advisor. The Program
Director serves as the Chair of the Council.
4.1 Selection of the Director. The Program Director is nominated and elected by the council,
with the approval of the responsible Dean, to a renewable three-year term. The
Director shall be a program advisor and a tenured or tenure-track faculty member from
one of the departments associated with the program. Prior to the end of the
incumbent’s term, the council will consider applications and elect a Director.
4.2 Duties of the Director/Chair. The Director/Chair is responsible for the effective
implementation and day-to-day operation of the program. The Program
Director/Council Chair is advised by the council membership and reports to the college
Dean delegated to oversee the program. Duties of the Director/Chair include the
following:

Serve as a voting member of the council.

Convene meetings of the council at least once each semester as needed. Minutes
of meetings will be maintained in the office of the responsible Dean.

Convene a meeting for all faculty members who teach in the program to advise the
council regarding the program at least annually.

Attend Interdisciplinary Program Directors/Council Chairs meeting as scheduled
each semester.

Consult with the respective college Deans and department Chairs regarding the
scheduling of program courses.

Direct the advising of students in the program and students who have interests in
the program.

Maintain all assessment activities in WEAVEonline.

Implement assessment activities, collect assessment data, and prepare
assessment reports for the review of the council prior to submitting the documents
to the appropriate university office(s) in accordance with university policy.

Develop and implement action plans for program improvement based on
assessment findings with the advice of the council.

Conduct program review with the advice of the council, in accordance with
university policy.

Manage the program’s budget.

Communicate council activities, as needed or requested, to the Dean responsible
for program oversight, appropriate department Chairs and faculty, and the
Interdisciplinary Advisory Committee.
4.3 Workload Compensation. Normally, the Director will receive a one-course per year
reduction in teaching load. This will be a request to the Dean of the college where his
or her position is housed and will be based upon the anticipated workload involved in
serving as Program Director/Chair.
V. Parliamentary Authority
Parliamentary authority shall be by Robert’s Rules, when needed.
VI. Amendment to Council Charge, Membership or Council Procedures
All recommendations for changes to this document or to the administrative structure of the
program shall be by majority vote of the council. The proposed changes will be publicly
announced to all council members and affected department Chairs and Deans at least two
weeks in advance of the vote. Those changes recommended by the council will be
forwarded for approval to the program’s responsible Dean.
Original: Responsible College Dean’s office. Copies: Academic Affairs; Interdisciplinary Council; Other cooperating Deans
Revised: 11/11/09