UMass Boston

What are superficial proposals?

Superficial proposals are proposals for very small changes to WISER course titles or descriptions that do not impact their meaning, student experience, or other courses or programs. The idea behind the “superficial” category for proposals is that it offers a way for faculty to quickly and easily make small changes to courses and programs that are not meaningful enough to warrant review. Typically, superficial proposals are proposals for:

• Line edits and spelling changes to course titles or WISER descriptions that do meaningfully alter what a course is.
• Changes to course numbers that do not alter the level of the course (from 201 to 210, for example). 
• Small changes to programs, for example adding already existing courses to already existing degree requirements within the same department or changing what counts for an elective option within the same department, provided these changes do not impact fundamental program structure or requirements (formerly done through Degree Audit Update).

The general guideline in deciding whether a proposal is superficial or substantial is whether or not the proposed change fundamentally alters the nature of a course or a program or student experience within that course or program. Please see the quick guide to whether a proposal is superficial or substantial for more help in determining what type of proposal you should submit. If you are still unsure whether your proposal is superficial or substantial, you should consult with your department/program chair and/or your school/college Senate chair. Alternatively, you can ask your college/school Curriculog representative. Collectively, they should help you to determine whether your proposal is superficial or substantial.

Types of superficial proposals

There are four types of superficial proposal:

• (uc2): UGRD Course Change – Superficial
• (up2): UGRD Program Change – Superficial (formerly degree audit update)
• (gc2): GRD Course Change – Superficial
• (gp2): GRD Program Change – Superficial (formerly degree audit update)

Review workflow for superficial proposals

Because superficial proposals are for very small changes, the workflow has been streamlined to omit review by departments/programs and by colleges/schools. For all superficial proposals, the review workflow is:

• Originator
• Department/Program Chair (no department/program review)
• College Senate Chair or equivalent (no college/school review)
• Faculty Council Graduate Committee Chair (for graduate proposals only; no committee review)
• Provost’s Office

Superficial proposals require review by individuals only (not committees). As such, review for these proposals happens on a case-by-case basis and is not bound by the schedule of meetings for department/program or college/school committees. Superficial proposals should therefore move quickly through governance and be resolved within 1-2 weeks.

If any decision maker in the workflow is concerned that the proposal is more substantial, they email the proposal originator and department/program chair (cc’ing everyone in the workflow below them) to clarify the nature of the proposal and determine whether it needs to be resubmitted as a substantial proposal that requires full governance review.

How to submit proposals for superficial changes to undergraduate or graduate courses

For proposals for superficial changes to existing courses, originators must fill out the correct form in the Curriculog system, either:

• (uc2): UGRD Course Change – Superficial, or
• (gc2): GRD Course Change – Superficial

In addition to this form, originators need to upload the following supporting documents. Please follow the formatting for each document name and include a header that specifies the date of the file’s composition and page numbers. This will help keep track of any changes throughout the governance process.

1. <Course Name>–Course Change Rationale

• A description of the proposed change
• A brief explanation for why this constitutes a superficial change (why it does not impact curriculum, instruction, and/or student experience etc.)

 How to submit proposals for superficial changes to undergraduate or graduate programs

For proposals for superficial changes to existing majors, minors, certificates, or other programs, originators must fill out the correct form in the Curriculog system, either:

• (up2): UGRD Program Change – Superficial, or
• (gp2): GRD Program Change – Superficial

In addition to this form, originators need to upload the following supporting documents. Please follow the formatting for each document name and include a header that specifies the date of the file’s composition and page numbers. This will help keep track of any changes throughout the governance process.

1. <Program Name>–Program Change Rationale

• A description of the proposed change
• A brief explanation of why this constitutes a superficial change (why it does not impact curriculum, instruction, and/or student experience etc.)