APPENDIX 139 The Senate Academic Affairs draws it charge from the University Senate Bylaws, which state the following: “There shall be a Committee on Academic Affairs which shall concern itself with the academic planning process of the University and with the consideration of academ- ic priorities and organization. It shall advise and consult regularly with the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs on all matters that it deems appropriate.” Accordingly, the Academic Affairs Committee, in exercising its mandated oversight, provides the following set of guidelines for the consideration of the potentially significant organization- al and programmatic changes. These guidelines complement the procedures adopted by the University Board of Trustees on January 12, 1995,“ Academic Program Changes and the Board ofTrustees.”They are based on the recognition that discussions about academic changes often begin under circumstances in which the outcome is not at all clear or pre-determined. Fur- ther, they state the Academic Affairs Committee’s general expectations for the consideration of such major issues and provide internal procedural guidance for the committee. Internal Consideration When confronted with potentially significant threats or opportunities, school or colleges should undertake serious self-study and planning, while simultaneously engaged in can- did substantive dialog with the central administration and other interested parties. The self- study and planning process should address questions put to it by the administration as well as those that arise from its own consideration. The process would normally address the ad- ministration’s expectation of the unit and unit’s specific goals and the resources and options available to achieve those goals. An external review, evaluation, or consultation is generally helpful and would normally occur. Consultation with the Academic Affairs Committee After the previously described internal consideration has occurred, and when the central administration is considering the initiation of major structural changes or has under consid- eration several options for interventions, preliminary consultation with the Senate Academic Affairs Committee should occur. This consultation will provide an opportunity for collegial consideration of the question and possibly advice on how to proceed.The goals of such con- sultation are to examine the academic issues of potential interest to the whole University, consideration of options for achieving the University’s goals, and identification of problems as well as further opportunities that may arise. Proposal for Action When either the central administration after consultation with the academic unit in ques- tion or the academic unit itself has determined upon a course of action, it should present its proposal to the Senate Academic Affairs Committee, together with its rationale and the evidence in support of the proposed action, for the Committee’s review and recommenda- tion to the Senate. that may lead to significan organizational changes such as the closure of a school or college or the merger of two or more schools or colleges. Adopted by the Syracuse University Senate Committee on Academic Affairs, September 19, 2003 GUIDELINES FOR ADDRESSING MAJOR ISSUES Appendix C APPENDIX 139