Procedures for Approval and Implementation of Academic Policies

To facilitate the accomplishment of its academic function, the basic academic administrative organization of Cumberland University consists of qualified faculty organized in three Schools led by Academic Deans, the University Curriculum Committee (UCC), the Graduate Council (GC), the Deans' Council, and the Office of Academic Affairs. These arrangements are appropriate to the primary mission of the University.

To ensure that all academic endeavors of Cumberland University remain true to the University mission, any new academic policy must proceed along one of three routes:

Origination by a faculty member of members, approval by the School faculty, approve by there the UCC or GC, and approval by the Deans' Council. The process is followed for changes to course descriptions and titles, changes to program of study, and any new courses or programs of study.
Origination by the Registrar or Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs in the Office of Academic Affairs, and approval by the Deans' Council. This process if followed for changes to or the creation of new academic policies related to transfer credits, academic suspension or dismissal, academic appeal processes, etc.
Academic Integrity policies reside with the faculty-led Academic Integrity Board which proposes all changes; any changes are reviewed by and subject to the approval of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.