I.      Duties & Responsibilities

The University Curriculum Committee is a standing committee with the following duties and responsibilities:

A - Short-term Duties & Responsibilities:

1.      The main duty of the UCC is to prepare guidelines for submitting curricular proposals, including the development, revision and deletion of programs and courses in Eastern Mediterranean University in consultation with relevant bodies. The guidelines shall include:

a)      Educational policies and standards

General education policies; accreditation requirements (YÖK, ABET, TedQual, Edexel); requirements set by the professional bodies, bars, or chapters; Educational policies of the European Union (Socrates, Erasmus, European Credit Transfer System - ECTS); contemporary tendencies in higher education

b)     Minimum credit-hour requirements

General education requirements; major/minor initiatives; electives (free / humanities / technical); language (English / Turkish) & History of Turkish Revolutions; Science requirements (Math / Physics / Chemistry); computer & information technology requirements

c)      Major / minor initiatives and double-major definitions

d)     Statement of justification for curricular proposals  

Mission and vision statements; academic perspectives and objectives; expected student impact; progressive introduction and evaluation of impact on students

e)      Need analyses for curricular proposals 

Survey of geographical areas to assess demand and interest; assess professional/academic implementation of similar programs; statistical data on universities with similar programs; curricular changes required to implement similar programs; trend in the number of similar programs for the last 3 – 5 years; employment rate of graduates

f)       Cost analyses and budget projections for curricular proposals 

·         Existing and additional resources:

Full-time equivalent faculty (number, rank, field of specialization, professional / academic experience, full-time part-time ratio); physical space and equipment (buildings, lecture halls, laboratories & studios; equipment and other specialized materials; library; computer laboratories; other over-heads), travel expenses etc.

·         Minimum number of students needed for survival of the program (for review in 2 years)

·         Recommended tuition fees (if difference is suggested)

·         Supplementary funds from outside sources / sponsorships if any.

g)     Transition program for existing students

2-4 year transition plan to implement program revisions

h)     Admissions & transfer criteria

Entrance examination requirements to the program (ÖYS, DGS …); exemption policies and criteria; foundation / deficiency course policies

i)        Curriculum planning & organizational procedures

Curricular processing deadlines; proposal procedures, format, instructions, flow charts & approval charts; forms

j)        Criteria for offering different types of degrees (BA/BS etc.)

2.      To identify the necessary phases for implementation and formulating deadlines.

3.      Identify the duplicate and/or mis-designated course offerings

4.      Reviewing the degrees offered and propose changes

B - Long-term duties & responsibilities:

1.      To coordinate the graduate and undergraduate curricula in general,

2.      To review and assess all new programs, courses, or revisions to existing programs and report recommendations,

3.      To provide consultation on decisions that involve curriculum development funds and budgets,

4.      To implement periodic reviews, evaluate existing courses and programs, and report recommendations,

5.      To provide consultation and support to departments, schools, and other faculty units impacted by any changes to the undergraduate curriculum,

6.      To study trends in curriculum development and related policies,

7.      To take measures in application of University policies like "general education",

8.      To establish an on-going curriculum committee in each faculty,

9.      To communicate curriculum developments with the university community (WEB Page, discussion forums etc.)

II.      Membership:

1.      Composition:

One full-time member from each faculty or school; vice rectors for academic and student affairs (or their representatives); non-voting specialist consultants (to be temporarily invited or hired on a needs basis)

2.      Members will be appointed by Senate upon the recommendation of deans and school directors

3.      It is recommended that members of the University Curriculum Committee not be

o        Serving members on other major committees

o        Serving members on committees at faculty or department level

o        Hold any administrative position

4.      Any member who has prolonged, unexcused absences will be asked to resign

5.      Members representing the Faculties or Schools will be appointed for one academic year, and new members are determined in each October.

6.      It is recommended that members are fluent both in English and Turkish

III.      Quorum & voting

1.      A quorum consists of a simple majority of the voting members of the Committee

2.      All decisions will require a majority vote of the voting members present to be official. Proxy votes will not be accepted.

IV.      Offices

1.      Chairperson: The chair is selected by Senate for 3 years and mainly has the following responsibilities:

a.      Be available to discuss details and address questions on curriculum matters with the faculty and administration

b.      Arrange dates, reserve meeting rooms, and prepare and distribute the agenda to the faculty in a timely manner

c.      Prepare and distribute curriculum materials to the Committee in a timely manner

d.      Record the minutes, prepare reports, new forms, templates, and other relevant documents in accordance with the committee's decisions

e.      Ensure that any curricular information such as program details, curricular lists, and course descriptions are in an approved and professional format

f.        Orient new committee members on the functions, responsibilities, policies and  procedures of the University Curriculum Committee

g.      Liaise with the Rector's Office in all matters relating to university curricula

h.      Assist in the preparation of the curricular content for the University Bulletin, Catalog,  Brochures, and all other relevant PR materials

2.      Recording secretary: Elected annually by the Committee to assist the Chairperson in recording the minutes and other duties stated in (d)

3.      Executive secretary: Elected annually by the committee to assist the Chairperson in executing the duties stated in (e) and (h)

V.      Reporting

The University Curriculum Committee reports to Senate through the Rector's Office.

VI.      Weekly workload

Committee members should arrange their time-tables to allow for at least 6 hours of planned committee activities per week.