Program stream, and course discontinuance or interruption - transitional arrangements - Higher Education procedure

Procedure

Intent

To ensure that transition arrangements are planned and implemented for students enrolled in programs, streams and course sequences which are to be discontinued and that appropriate notification is given to administrative groups.

Exclusions

The procedure does not apply to post-graduate research programs or non-award programs.

Procedure steps and actions

1. Program discontinuance or interruption

Procedure

Responsibility

Timeline

Notify the following committee and organisational units of the intention to discontinue or interrupt a program:

  • Secretary, Policy and Programs Committee
  • Manager, Admissions and Selection Services
  • Manager, Program and Course Administration
  • Executive Director, Financial Services Group
  • Director, University Marketing
  • Director, International Services
  • Director, Policy and Planning
  • Manager, Statistics and Reporting
  • Program Coordinators of all other programs using courses to be discontinued or interrupted shall be identified and consulted
  • Dean (Academic Development) to be notified regarding existing contract partners and offshore delivery partners

For interruption, identify the likely date of recommencement.

Head of School or Program leader representative responsible for program administration.

VTAC Programs – By VTAC Guide closing date of the previous year

Other programs - At least one semester before proposed discontinuation.
  • Develop a transition implementation plan for approval of the appropriate College Board(s) and Policy and Programs Committee, outlining transition arrangements for all student cohorts and year levels, including responsibilities and timelines.
  • Develop a curriculum map showing the relationship between the old and the new courses.
  • Include RMIT International Pty Ltd if the cohort includes onshore international students.
  • Include International Office if the cohort includes offshore international students.
  • Involve students in the development of the plan.

Program leader, in conjunction with program team

VTAC Programs – By VTAC Guide closing date of the previous year

Other Programs – At least one semester before the proposed discontinuation / interruption.

1.1 Notify in writing, enrolled students, or prospective students who may have made a financial or other commitment to the program, of the planned program discontinuation / interruption.

Notification shall include:

  • the proposed date of the discontinuation/ interruption
  • the reason(s) for the discontinuation/ interruption
  • an explanation of the effect on students enrolled at each year level of the program, including part-time students
  • an explanation of the transition arrangements for current full time students, part-time students, deferred students, students on leave of absence, or international students who have pre-paid for the program
  • contact details for the relevant Program Leaders
  • for interruption, identify the likely date of recommencement

Head of School or Program Leader responsible for program administration.

VTAC Programs – By VTAC Guide closing date of the previous year

Other Programs – At least one semester before the proposed discontinuation / interruption

1.3 Set the enrolment quota to ‘0’ from an identified date for such programs; withdraw the program from VTAC Guide (if applicable) consistent with the VTAC discontinuation rules and timelines.

Admissions and Selection Services

Selection period at start of planned discontinuation/ interruption

1.4 In the case of discontinuation, de-activate the program, and courses which are not part of other accredited programs, on the program and course master-file.

Program and Course Administration

Upon expiry of the program’s accreditation.

2. Discontinuance/interruption of a stream or course sequence

Procedure

Responsibility

Timeline

Notify the following organisational units of the intention to discontinue or interrupt a stream or course:

  • Manager, Admissions and Selection Services
  • Manager, Program and Course Administration
  • Executive Director, Financial Services Group
  • Director, University Marketing
  • Director, International Services
  • Director, Policy and Planning
  • Manager, Statistics and Reporting
  • Program Coordinators of all other programs using courses to be discontinued or interrupted shall be identified and consulted
  • Dean (Academic Development) to be notified regarding existing contract partners and offshore delivery partners

For interruption, identify the likely date of recommencement.

Head of School or Program leader for program administration.

VTAC Programs – By VTAC Guide closing date of the previous year

Other programs - At least one semester before proposed discontinuation.

Provide written information to prospective and enrolled students about the proposed discontinuation / interruption of a stream or course sequence.

Notification shall include:

  • the proposed date of the discontinuation/ interruption
  • the reason(s) for the discontinuation/ interruption
  • an explanation of the effect on students enrolled at each year level of the program, including part-time students
  • an explanation of the transition arrangements for current full time students, part-time students or students who have pre-paid for the program
  • contact details of relevant program leaders
  • for interruption, identify the likely date of recommencement

Program team leader, in conjunction with program team

At least one semester before the proposed discontinuation/ interruption

2.1 In the case of discontinuation, de-activate the stream or course sequence which is not part of other accredited programs, on the program and course master-file.

Program and Course Administration

From the date of discontinuation

2.2 Notify Policy and Programs Committee of the de-activation of a discontinued/ interrupted stream/ course sequence.

Dean (Academic Development)

Six monthly

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