Academic Affairs Reorganization or Renaming of College, Unit, or Department Guidelines and Procedures

Owner	Academic Affairs
Contact	[email protected]
Document Type	Procedure
Issue Date	October 21, 2025
Last Review	October 21, 2025
Related Documents	Accounting Departmental Reorganization Checklist Ferris State University Board of Trustees Policy Sec. 2-409 Sec. 2-409. Functions of the  Academic Affairs/Student Affairs Committee Relating to Academic Affairs

Guidelines

1. Approved reorganization and name changes will only be implemented at the start of the academic year.
2. The deadline to submit for VPAA approval is November 1st in the year preceding the intended implementation.
3. College discussions involving faculty will occur prior to submitting the request.
4. Evidence of faculty feedback will be supplied when submitting the request for the 
   change.

Procedures

1. A memo from the Dean to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs must be sent for approval prior to any actions to implement the change. 
   The memo must include:
   1. The request and detailed description of the change.
      1. Include any details that will involve FOAP (Accounting, HR) change requests (due March 1 to Accounting/HR).
      2. Include any details that will involve academic program/course code change requests.
      3. Include any anticipated personnel changes.
   2. Evidence of faculty input and feedback (30-day feedback period).
   3. Detailed justification for the change (e.g., alignment with mission, better resource allocation, supporting strategic priorities).
2. Upon Provost approval, the VPAA office will:
   1. When applicable, facilitate implementation discussions.
   2. When applicable, seek approval from or inform the Board of Trustees as it relates to planning and strategic academic issues (Board Policy 2-409).
   3. Communicate with all units to begin the process to update systems (Banner, Ferris catalog, Faculty Success, website, etc.). VPAA will notify the Registrar, Web Master, Accounting, Admissions, Institutional Research and Testing, Human Resources, and VPAA office staff.
   4. Send communication to the university to announce the reorganization and the effective date of the upcoming academic year.