Submission of Proposals

All proposed curriculum changes are submitted to EPC on one of four downloadable forms:

New Course Form  
Course Changes Form  
New Program Form  
Program Changes Form  
Course Outline Form  

Prior to submitting New Course or New Program forms, a Notice of Intent  must be approved by the Academic Planning and Priorities Committee (APPC) of Senate. A copy should be included with the EPC submission. If the proposal requires additional funding from TRU, then a Budget Template  must also be included. Please review the Budget Template Instructions  memo for details on its completion.

Please submit a signed paper copy of the form and an electronic copy to the EPC Secretary. Answer all questions and do not alter the form in any way. When course outlines are required, use the template provided. No other documentation other than the Notice of Intent and Budget Template should be submitted along with the form.

Once submitted to EPC, all proposals are dealt with in accordance with the Operating Procedures of Educational Programs Committee of Senate for the Review and Approval of Submissions .  All proposals are reviewed by the Submissions Preview Committee (SPS) for clarity and completeness and to determine whether they are consistent with current academic policies and practices. Proposals found to be deficient will be returned to the Chair(s) of the Faculty or School Council(s) with a brief description of any required or suggested changes.

Acceptable proposals will be posted for 15 business days for campus-wide consultation. If legitimate concerns are made, the Faculty or School Council(s) proposing the change will be notified and will be required to consult with the individual(s) or group(s). The parties should attempt to address the concern(s) and submit a revised proposal to SPS for review. If the parties cannot reach agreement, they will be asked to address a meeting of EPC where the issue(s) will be discussed further and a final decision made.

Not all curriculum changes require that a representative of the Faculty or School(s) attend a meeting of EPC. The Secretary of EPC will contact parties if their attendance is required. Also, some proposals are approved by SPS without going to EPC, others require EPC approval only, while others must go on to APPC, the Budget Committee, and Senate and even the Board of Governors for final approval. If interested in the exact process required, refer to EPC’s operating procedures or policy ED 8-2 – Undergraduate Course and Program Approvals .

Once approved, the EPC Secretary will notify the Registrar’s Office and other academic units of the changes. Faculties and schools should ensure that the Calendar and the TRU website also has been updated to reflect these changes – do not make changes until they have been formally approved.

Policy ED 8-2 requires that all New Course or Course Changes proposals be submitted at least six months in advance of the implementation date and New Program or Program Changes proposals at least 19 months in advance. Variations from this rule will be considered by EPC but only if it feels that program quality and students’ interests will not be jeopardized. The Office of the Provost will consider one-time approvals, but the Criteria for One-time Approval of Courses   are very strict.  Please contact the EPC Secretary to apply.

If you have any questions relating to the approval process for proposed curriculum changes, please contact the Joanne Moores (jmoores@tru.ca), EPC Secretary.