Overview: The New Programs/New Academic Council reviews and votes on new degree, new major, and new minor proposals. Additionally, this body reviews new academic unit proposals. Reviews occur during the academic year. The purpose of the Council and its membership are described in the Shared Governance Policies S.G. 2.05.

New Programs A new program prospectus gets reviewed and approved by the unit, the Dean, and the New Programs/Academic Unit Council. If approved through this process, proposers then create a new program proposal that goes through the full university process (see “Roles and Responsibilities for Curricular Review”). Additionally, some proposals may also require Higher Learning Commission and/or Board of Trustees review and approval. The review process for new academic programs often spans at least one academic year.  

New Programs Resources
Budget:
Budget Considerations (review before completing budget)

Program Budget Template (required)

Program Budget Template Example A  (review before completing the required budget) 

Program Budget Template Example B (review before completing the required budget)

Course Capacity:
Course Capacity must be included for all existing courses for the past three years. This data is available from Institutional Analysis and should be uploaded with the prospectus. Below is an example that merges the fall, winter, and summer offerings into a single year.  Make sure to provide data for all existing courses, including those taught outside the unit.  In the prospectus, please also list all new courses proposed. 
Course Capacity Example

NOTE: All new minors must consist of a minimum of 20 required credits and no existing GVSU minor has more than 29 credits. See GVSU academic policies and regulations for more information.

The agenda for NPC meetings is set by the Chair. Electronic copies of the agenda accompanied by electronic documents relevant to agenda items are distributed to committee members at least two weeks prior to each meeting. 

Fall 2025 dates are Wednesdays 11:30-1:00 via Zoom, link to be included in invite.

1. Oct 1
2. Oct 29
3. Nov 19
4. Dec 17 (if needed)

Winter 2026 dates are Wednesdays 11:30-1:00 via Zoom, link to be included in invite.

1. Jan 21
2. Feb 18
3. Mar 18
4. Apr 15

 

2025-2026 Members

1. Jen Drake, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (ex officio)
2. Anne Sergeant, Vice Chair, University Academic Senate (Chair designated by ECS Chair & voting member)
3. Amy Campbell, Chair, Graduate Council (voting member)
4. Felix Ngassa, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs (ex officio)
5. Robert Hollister, Chair, Faculty Salary and Budget Committee (voting member)
6. Martin Burg, Chair, University Curriculum Committee (voting member)