Values

• Continue meeting our mission of comprehensive liberal arts and sciences education
• Better predictability of courses for department planning and efficiency
• Regular rotation of upper level, general education, advanced, and elective courses
• Graduation within 4 years for most students 

Background

• This low-enrollment policy is already in place and active for undergraduate courses
• We already have language in instructional contracts that reflect contingencies around under-enrolled courses
• For 2027-2028, we will be implementing with greater process and consistency 
• Most courses are well-managed across the college. This policy and process helps us to better address the small number of low-enrolled undergraduate courses 

Definition of terms:

• Limited-enrollment course: Some undergraduate courses may have an enrollment cap lower than 16 if they meet one or more of the special criteria related to an enhanced student experience. These courses should be a limited offering in your area, and should serve the maximum number of students possible
• Enrollment cap: (called ‘optimum’ enrollment in MAUI) – set maximum of seats available for a given course or section - may correspond to room size, but does not have to
• Fill rate: percentage of students enrolled for a given course or section. Number of students enrolled divided by the set enrollment cap (seats). [e.g. 15 students ÷ 24 seats = 62.5% fill rate]

Low-Enrollment Policy

• Undergraduate courses must have a minimum of 16 students enrolled unless they are approved as an exception or meet the criteria for a limited-enrollment course
• Courses will be canceled if they do not meet this minimum threshold
• Departments and programs are expected to review consistently low-enrolled courses and develop plans to improve enrollment, modify course rotations, or reconsider curricular structures
• Starting in 2027-2028, we will no longer be prorating visiting and adjunct instructors for low-enrolled courses
• Limited-enrollment undergraduate courses must have a fill rate of 60%

Low-Enrollment Review Process

DEOs should review courses for low-enrollment on a regular basis in the weeks and months leading up the start of the academic session. CLAS will also run reviews according the table below and work with departments to implement course cancellations and adjustments if needed.

Exceptions 

• Exceptions to the policy will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Course Cancellation and Instructor Redeployment

For any cancelled courses, follow the instructions for College of Liberal Arts and Sciences on the University Registrar Policies & Procedures webpage.

• Also, after following these steps, please make sure to use the CLAS Course Cancellation Workflow form for CLAS UP approval. 
• Consult your CLAS academic advisor(s) on any course cancellations to provide student support for students registered in the courses to be cancelled. 

Instructors of low-enrolled courses should be redeployed to un-assigned or high-need courses during the same semester. CLAS does not permit a department to “bank” or “carry over” teaching assignments past an academic year. 

Timeline for Review and Deadlines for Cancellations for remaining AY26-27 Sessions

Timeline for Review and Deadlines for Cancellations for AY27-28 Sessions