1. (1) The Commission recognizes that liberal arts are essential to quality academic offerings at all universities. At the same time, the Commission believes that if the liberal arts are an important component of the university experience, then liberal arts programs should meet viability standards. All institutions do not have to offer a wide array of programs in the liberal arts fields.
2. (2) Core liberal arts programs as recognized by the Commission are subject to the same review policy, process, and procedures described in 300-2-2-.01.

3. (3) To allow institutions an appropriate time period to assess their existing core liberal arts programs, as defined in List A below, the Commission establishes the following process.

   1. (a) All core liberal arts programs will undergo the Level I and Level II reviews. Any core liberal arts program which does not appear on the viable program list as a result of the Level I and Level II reviews will be placed on an exemption list for the three-year monitoring period.
   2. (b) During these three years, the Commission encourages institutions to develop creative and innovative approaches to offering core liberal arts education which also will meet viability standards. It is expected that all possible alternatives will be explored, including but not limited to distance education and technology, resource sharing among institutions, and cooperative and joint offerings.
   3. (c) Each institution with exempt core liberal arts programs will provide an annual report to the Commission which summarizes activity during the year devoted to the assessment and improvement of its exempt core liberal arts programs.
   4. (d) At the end of the three-year monitoring period, the president of each institution with core liberal arts programs on the exemption list will provide a final report to the Commission which outlines what efforts have been made and what outcomes achieved in quality and productivity of the core liberal arts programs. The Commission will evaluate the reports from each institution.
   5. (e) In the case of any core liberal arts programs which still do not meet the viability standard at the end of the three-year monitoring period, the Commission will continue monitoring the productivity for a final, additional three-year monitoring period (2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03). At the conclusion of the final three-year monitoring cycle, institutions will phase out any remaining non-viable core liberal arts programs for which a waiver of non-viability is not sought out granted by the Commission.

4. (4) Below are listed baccalaureate core liberal arts programs in public four-year institutions recognized by the Commission for the purpose of this policy.

   CIP Code	Program Title
   16.0402	Russian Lang. & Literature
   16.0501	German Lang. & Literature
   16.0901	French Lang. & Literature
   16.0905	Spanish Lang. & Literature
   16.1201	Classical & Ancient Near Eastern Lang & Lit
   23.0101	English Lang. & Literature
   23.1001	Speech & Rhetorical Studies
   26.0101	Biology, General
   27.0101	Mathematics
   38.0101	Philosophy
   40.0501	Chemistry, General
   40.0601	Geology
   40.0801	Physics, General
   42.0101	Psychology, General
   45.0201	Anthropology
   45.0601	Economics, General
   45.0701	Geography
   45.0801	History
   45.1001	Political Science & Gov’t
   45.1101	Sociology
   50.0101/ 50.0501	Drama/Theater Arts
   50.0701/ 50.0702	Art
   50.0901/ 50.9999	Music, General

Author: Kitty C. Collier

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§16-5-1, et.seq., and in implementation of Act 96-557.

History: New Rule: Filed August 4, 1997; effective September 8, 1997. Amended: Filed March 7, 2001; effective April 11, 2001.