Understanding the Levels of Governance

To better understand the level of review required for specific types of proposals, please consult the Levels of Governance (LOG) Grid. Information specific to a proposal can be found using Track Your Proposal. Along with an outline of the necessary levels of review specific to the proposal, once the proposal passes the Senate Committee on Educational Policy, an estimate of the relevant meeting dates will be posted.

Graduate College

All proposals for graduate-level programs are reviewed by the Graduate College Executive Committee prior to submission to the Office of the Provost. The Executive Committee meets regularly throughout the academic year.

Office of the Provost

All proposals for new or revised academic programs are submitted to the Office of the Provost for review and submission to the Senate Committee on Educational Policy. The Provost's Office reviews proposals for adherence to the Format for Presentation of Proposals to Senate Committee on Educational Policy and verifies the necessary clearances have been obtained. The Office of the Provost will also deal with issues of budget and impact on other campus resources, such as the University Library, before submitting proposals for further review.

Senate Committee on Educational Policy (EPC)

As charged, the Committee on Educational Policy shall examine, and make recommendations to the Senate concerning appropriate action on, educational policy matters over which the Senate has legislative jurisdiction, including:

  1. Degree programs,
  2. Initiation, changes or discontinuance of curricula,
  3. Requirements for award of degrees,
  4. Grading regulations,
  5. Review and evaluation of experimental educational programs,
  6. Budgetary implications of the foregoing.

EPC meets regularly throughout the academic year (August - early April). Proposals submitted by the Office of the Provost are added to meeting agendas with two weeks advanced notice.

UIUC Faculty Senate

The Faculty Senate conducts business in September, October, December, February, March and April. The Chair of the Committee on Educational Policy will present proposals on the Consent and Action Agendas. Actions of the Senate are reported by the Senate Clerk to the Unversity Senates Conference.

University Senates Conference (USC)

The Senates Conference is a statutory body (Article II, Section 2 of the University of Illinois Statutes) providing the major link between the faculties of the Chicago, Urbana-Champaign, and Springfield campuses and is charged with reviewing “all matters acted upon by each Senate” and with determining “whether senate actions requiring implementation or further consideration” are being referred to appropriate officers. The Senates Conference must decide whether actions taken by one senate have broader all-university relevance and thus also must be considered by other senates. If the Senates Conference decides that the senates have acted differently on a matter, it must “attempt to promote agreement or consistency,” and in cases of continuing disagreement among the senates, the Senates Conference may forward its own recommendations on the matter.

The USC meets in coordination with the Faculty Senates at each campus and the Board of Trustees. Recommendations of the USC are forwarded to the Office of the Provost for further action.

University of Illinois Board of Trustees (BOT)

The Office of the Provost is responsible for submitting approved proposals for consideration by the BOT. To allow for coordination of the full agenda, submissions are typically due six weeks prior to scheduled BOT meetings.

Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE)

Through the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost works with units to prepare proposals for the IBHE. In the case of new academic majors and degrees and full proposal is necessary. All information is due to the IBHE two months prior to the next available agenda. The IBHE meets approximately every other month.