Introduction
At their November 1980 meeting, the Regents of the University of Colorado called for the regular review of colleges, schools, and academic units. Since 1981, CU Boulder has employed procedures to identify academic program strengths and weaknesses, and to provide constructive options for program development and modification.
The ultimate goal of academic program review is to promote and maintain high-quality academic programs that are administered efficiently, consistent with the institution’s role and mission.
For more information regarding academic program review, see:
At CU Boulder, academic program review processes are administered by the Academic Review and Planning Advisory Committee (ARPAC), and supported by the Program Review team of the Office of Faculty Affairs.
The Program Review Process
At CU Boulder, some 70+ academic units undergo review over a seven-year period, called a review cycle.
How is ARPAC formed? Who serves on ARPAC?
ARPAC is composed of tenured faculty members representing the range of CU Boulder colleges and schools. ARPAC members serve three-year terms and the size of the committee varies depending upon the number of units undergoing review. The senior vice provost for academic planning and assessment co-chairs ARPAC with the vice provost and associate vice chancellor for faculty affairs as non-voting members; the executive vice provost for academic resource management and the vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and community engagement also serve as standing, non-voting members. By tradition, the co-chairs recruit ARPAC members in collaboration with the provost; nominees are then forwarded to the Boulder Faculty Assembly Executive Committee for approval.
ARPAC and the internal and external review committees are administratively supported and correspond with the campus out of the Office of Faculty Affairs.
As described by campus policy, the provost convenes ARPAC as the program discontinuance committee when required. The group’s expected role and required work as it relates to program discontinuance can be found on the 2005 campus policy for academic program discontinuance.
How are units/programs categorized into their review groups? Which units will undergo review this year?
As much as possible, program reviews are grouped around shared strategic interests and concerns. CU Boulder academic units are grouped into seven major aggregations:
The cohort of professional schools will be undergoing program review in fall 2022. For more information:
- Arts and Humanities
- Physical Sciences and Mathematics
- Engineering and Applied Science
- Biological and Environmental Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Professional Schools
- Academic support offices in the Division of Academic Affairs
2020 ARPAC Report