Academic Affairs
Due Dates for Permanent Course Proposals
Permanent course proposals are due by the end of the third week two terms prior to the course's first offering. The Academic Affairs Committee meets once a term to review and approve permanent course proposals submitted by the deadlines listed below.
September 27, 2022 for courses to be taught in Spring 2023 or later
January 23, 2022 for courses to be taught in Fall 2023 or later
April 14, 2022 for courses to be taught in Winter 2024 or later
Upon submission, one-time proposals are reviewed by the Dean of Academic Departments and Programs, with the recommendation to 'Approve' or 'Decline' the proposal.
Submission Guidelines
- Faculty member must contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@union.edu to obtain a course number for the new course before they start the form.
- The form can be saved and you can go back later to complete the form within 30 days. After this time frame, you will have to start all over again.
- Attach a detailed course syllabus that includes student learning objectives, the new general education learning outcomes, a list of textbooks and/or assigned readings, a list of weekly or daily topics and grading criteria.
- To obtain the new General Education credits, you must submit a separate form in addition to submitting your permanent course proposal form. You can submit both forms at the same time, i.e. do not wait till your permanent course is approved before you apply for the new General Education credits.
Review and Approval Process
Each Approver will receive an email via FormStack notifying them that there is a proposal to be reviewed. The email will come from Course Proposals <noreply@formstack.com>" with the subject format "Course Proposal Submission #xx - Workflow step X has been assigned to you".
As an approver, you will have to log in to FormStack with your Union College username and password to complete your assigned workflow step.
The proposal does not move to the next step in the workflow until the previous step is completed.
Step 1: Department Chair
Step 2: Director of Interdisciplinary Programs
Step 3: Additional departments and programs listed
Step 4: Additional components (International Programs)
Step 5: Dean of Academic Departments and Programs (final approval)
After the proposal has received final approval, a copy of the proposal will be emailed via Formstack to the submitter, approvers, and the registrar's office.
Approver Permissions and Workflow
Department Chair: approve (no changes required), approve (changes required), or decline
If the proposal is approved, it will move on to the next approver. If the proposal is approved with revisions, it will be sent back to the submitter with *comments* for revisions. The proposal is then resubmitted to the department chair for approval. If the proposal is declined, an email notification is sent to the submitter and no further actions are required.
Director of Interdisciplinary Studies: approve (no changes required), approve (changes required)
If the proposal is approved, it will move on to the next approver. If the proposal is approved with revisions, it will be sent back to the submitter with "comments" for revisions. The proposal is then resubmitted to the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies for approval.
Additional Departments/Programs and Components (International Programs): approve or decline
Additional departments/programs and components can only approve or decline a proposal. The proposal moves on to the next approver whether it is approved or declined.
'Comments' from approvers will remain as part of the proposal and will be visible to all participants.
Approver Instructions
Click on the link in the email notifying you there is a pending proposal. You will be asked to log in to Formstack using your Union username and password.
Review the completed form. As an approver, it is imperative that the proposal is reviewed promptly so it can move on to the next approver.
After reviewing the proposal, either 'Approve' or 'Decline' the course proposal by selecting the appropriate option at the bottom of the form.