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Small-Size Classes (A-46)

Original Implementation: November 4, 1977
Last Revision: July 21, 2009

  1. This policy applies to courses whose primary mode of instruction is lecture, laboratory, or seminar.
  2. Small-size classes are undergraduate classes with fewer than 10 registered students and graduate classes with fewer than 5 registered students. Minimum enrollment requirements for off-campus, face to face courses are addressed in Policy A-34, Off-Campus Courses.
  3. No small-size classes shall be offered in any term except as authorized by the Board of Regents of Stephen F. Austin State University.
  4. Only small-size classes that meet one or more of the following requirements may be authorized to be taught:
    1. A course required for graduation. The course must not be offered each semester or term and, if cancelled, may affect the date of graduation of those enrolled.
    2. A course required of majors in the field that should be completed in a given semester (term) in order to keep the proper sequencing of courses.
    3. A course in a newly established degree program, concentration, or support area.
    4. Interdepartmental (cross-listed) courses taught as a single class by the same faculty at the same station, provided that the combined courses do not constitute a small class.
    5. The first time offering of a course.
    6. A course the class size of which is limited by accreditation or state licensing standards.
    7. A course the class size of which is limited by the availability of laboratory or clinical facilities.
    8. A class voluntarily offered by a faculty member in excess of the institutional teaching load requirement and for which the faculty member receives no additional compensation.
  5. A small-size class of the same course may not be offered in consecutive semesters or summer terms.
  6. The university shall file a small class report with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board through its uniform reporting system .

Procedure:

  1. A department chair submits a small class form to the appropriate dean requesting approval to offer small-size class(es).
  2. The dean approves/disapproves the request and forwards the form to the provost and vice president for academic affairs (VPAA), with a copy to the registrar.
  3. The provost approves/disapproves the request and sends copies of the small class form to the dean and the registrar.
  4. The provost submits the report of small-size classes to the Board of Regents for final approval.

 

Cross Reference: Faculty Handbook; Texas Educ. Code, § 51.403

Responsible for Implementation: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Contact for Revision: Provost  and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Forms: Small-size Class Request Form