LOW ENROLLMENT

Effective: August 15, 2024

Purpose: Emporia State University has an interest in ensuring that teaching resources are allocated and used wisely. Thus, the University asks each academic unit to evaluate the need and desirability of its course offerings that have low enrollment.

Scope: This policy applies to all University classes unless otherwise specified.

Responsible Office: Academic Affairs

Policy Statement: Academic units may choose to begin monitoring enrollment during the early registration period. The deans in the respective schools or colleges must maintain an on-going review of enrollment and contact academic units whenever there are concerns. Written requests for the continuation of a course along with reasons should be sent to the dean of the respective academic unit prior to the beginning of the term in which the course is to be offered.

The following categories of courses will ordinarily be excluded from consideration:

• courses offered as individualized instruction similar to independent study, research, thesis, or dissertation;
• practicum and internship courses;
• courses constrained in enrollment by limitations of space or other facilities;
• courses constrained by accreditation, professional licensure or endorsement; and
• courses funded by external sources or endowment.

The academic unit’s supervisory administrator, the dean of the respective college, and relevant faculty must discuss courses with an established pattern of low enrollment. The dean may allow the continuation of a course if, for example:

• the course is required within the curricular needs of the academic unit;
• the course is one (1) of two (2) or more (2+) courses that are part of a sequence of required courses;
• the course offers unusual research or study opportunities to students; or
• the course is new and needs time to generate student interest.

In deciding to cancel a course because of low enrollment, the academic unit’s supervisory administrator and respective dean should also consider, in consultation with the faculty member, what other duties are available to that faculty member for that semester. The other duties must not unduly affect the faculty member’s other teaching, research, or service obligations.

Definitions: All words and phrases shall be interpreted utilizing their plain meanings unless otherwise defined in another University or Board of Regents policy or by statute or regulation.

Low Enrollment - The University considers undergraduate lower division courses (000-200) with fewer than fifteen (15) students, undergraduate upper division courses (300-600) with fewer than ten (10), and graduate courses (700-900) with fewer than five (5) as having low enrollment. The combined enrollment of double numbered courses will be evaluated at the lower course number of the two course numbers.

Procedures: All procedures linked and related to the policies above shall have the full force and effect of policy if said procedures have first been properly approved by the University’s administrator in charge of Academic Affairs. 

[Academic Affair procedures - coming soon]

Related Policy Information: [coming soon]