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Undergraduate Curriculum Council

Undergraduate Curriculum Council

UCC Members' Roles and Responsibilities

The primary function of the Undergraduate Curriculum Council (UCC) is to review all undergraduate course proposals and advise the Faculty Assembly on the final approval of these courses. The role of UCC is defined by the Faculty Assembly By-laws. A related duty of UCC members is to support department chairs and curriculum committees in developing or revising course outlines.

A secondary function of the committee is to communicate about approved course outlines with various faculty members and offices across campus, including the Registrar, the Catalog Editor, the Director of the Penfield Library, Penfield Library Archives and Reserves, the Director of Campus Technology Services, Academic Deans, and Department Chairs. 

Membership of UCC

Members of the University Curriculum Committee (UCC) at SUNY Oswego have the opportunity to review 50 to 70 course outlines each year, exploring a wide variety of academic programs and departments. Two faculty representatives from each school are elected by their peers to serve a two-year term. The UCC Members page provides a detailed list of current members, along with their contact information and terms of service.

Committee members can refer to the Member Duties page for information about the duties and essential skills required for committee membership. This ensures that all members are prepared to engage in meaningful academic discussions. Additionally, the UCC Members page provides a list of current members, their contact information, and terms of service. 

UCC Course Submission and Approval Process

In recent years, this process has evolved from a paper transmission of course outlines, signature pages, and approval notices, to an online submission format, with electronic submission, tracking, and notification of approval - called Curriculog. To use these forms, you must be simultaneously logged in to your LakerApps e-mail account. To get more information, click on Course Submission Procedures and Course Submission Form.

History of the UCC

Before 1975, decisions about which courses we could offer at SUNY Oswego were made by individual departments and approved at the Dean's level. As the college grew larger with many more programs and more standardized accreditation expectations, some faculty members proposed a more comprehensive, systematic, campus-wide process for overseeing course development. 

Thus, the authority to review undergraduate course proposals was transferred to the Faculty Assembly's Academic Policies Council (APC). In the mid-1980s, recognizing the large volume of work required in the course review process, APC created the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee subcommittee to take on this course review role. 

As UCC's responsibilities evolved, the Faculty Assembly decided to elevate the status of the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee to that of a council whose advisory duty is to report directly to the Faculty Assembly. In 2002, we took on the mantle of the Undergraduate Curriculum Council. 

We continue to cherish this authority as a faculty to determine what SUNY Oswego undergraduate courses are offered. During the 30-year history of the UCC, many of SUNY Oswego's faculty members have participated in the course proposal review process. 

Contact the Undergraduate Curriculum Council by email at [email protected]