(1) The Commission recognizes that liberal arts are essential to quality academic offerings at all universities. At the same time, the Commission believes that if the liberal arts are an important component of the university experience, then liberal arts programs should meet viability standards. All institutions do not have to offer a wide array of programs in the liberal arts fields.(2) Core liberal arts programs as recognized by the Commission are subject to the same review policy, process, and procedures described in 300-2-2-.01.(3) To allow institutions an appropriate time period to assess their existing core liberal arts programs, as defined in List A below, the Commission establishes the following process. (a) All core liberal arts programs will undergo the Level I and Level II reviews. Any core liberal arts program which does not appear on the viable program list as a result of the Level I and Level II reviews will be placed on an exemption list for the three-year monitoring period.(b) During these three years, the Commission encourages institutions to develop creative and innovative approaches to offering core liberal arts education which also will meet viability standards. It is expected that all possible alternatives will be explored, including but not limited to distance education and technology, resource sharing among institutions, and cooperative and joint offerings.(c) Each institution with exempt core liberal arts programs will provide an annual report to the Commission which summarizes activity during the year devoted to the assessment and improvement of its exempt core liberal arts programs.(d) At the end of the three-year monitoring period, the president of each institution with core liberal arts programs on the exemption list will provide a final report to the Commission which outlines what efforts have been made and what outcomes achieved in quality and productivity of the core liberal arts programs. The Commission will evaluate the reports from each institution.(e) In the case of any core liberal arts programs which still do not meet the viability standard at the end of the three-year monitoring period, the Commission will continue monitoring the productivity for a final, additional three-year monitoring period (2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03). At the conclusion of the final three-year monitoring cycle, institutions will phase out any remaining non-viable core liberal arts programs for which a waiver of non-viability is not sought out granted by the Commission.(4) Below are listed baccalaureate core liberal arts programs in public four-year institutions recognized by the Commission for the purpose of this policy.CIP Code Program Title
16.0402 Russian Lang. & Literature
16.0501 German Lang. & Literature
16.0901 French Lang. & Literature
16.0905 Spanish Lang. & Literature
16.1201 Classical & Ancient Near Eastern Lang & Lit
23.0101 English Lang. & Literature
23.1001 Speech & Rhetorical Studies
26.0101 Biology, General
27.0101 Mathematics
38.0101 Philosophy
40.0501 Chemistry, General
40.0601 Geology
40.0801 Physics, General
42.0101 Psychology, General
45.0201 Anthropology
45.0601 Economics, General
45.0701 Geography
45.0801 History
45.1001 Political Science & Gov't
45.1101 Sociology
50.0101/50.0501 Drama/Theater Arts
50.0701/50.0702 Art
50.0901/50.9999 Music, General
Author: Kitty C. Collier
Ala. Admin. Code r. 300-2-2-.02
New Rule: Filed August 4, 1997; effective September 8, 1997. Amended: Filed March 7, 2001; effective April 11, 2001.Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 16-5-1, et. seq., and in implementation of Act 96-557.