MoU Template for Cross-Divisional/Cross-Departmental Program

Memorandum of Understanding for the Administration of the

[Name of Degree, Major]

This agreement outlines the collaborative administration of the major in [NAME OF PROGAM] by the Department of XXX in the College of AAA and the Department of YYY in the College of BBB. This agreement acknowledges the collaborative efforts between these two units.

Administrative Home Department

The XXX department is the home department for this degree and will supply primary administrative support for this major. This support will include submitting curriculum changes, program assessment, budget submission and approval, and coordination of program activities for the two departments as outlined below.

Program Advisory Committee

The two department chairs will assign faculty including a pair of co-chairs (1XXX, 1YYY) for a program advisory committee (PAC). Committee membership will include at least two additional faculty members to ensure that the membership of the committee includes equal representation from both departments.

The PAC provides advice and recommendations on key elements of the program, including recruitment of students, marketing, curriculum and assessment, course scheduling and teaching assignments, and instructional staffing. Recommendations are submitted to both the chair of the XXX department and the chair of the YYY department who are responsible for making the decisions. If a satisfactory resolution is not reached by both department chairs, then the respective divisional deans will be consulted.

Student Admission

Admission to the major in [PROGRAM NAME] will follow all Miami University requirements and procedures. Students who meet the admission criteria are directly admitted to the degree program/major.

Curriculum / Teaching Assignments

Students enrolled in a major in [PROGRAM NAME] will have unrestricted enrollment in the YYY courses listed as required or elective in this major. Each department chair will assign qualified instructors to their departmental courses based on the approved program plan. XXX will provide instructors for all XXX courses. YYY will provide instructors for all courses with the YYY subject code. Enrollment will be carefully monitored (and predicted when possible) each semester to evaluate student demand and available instructor resources. Should the student demand outnumber available instructor resources, the chair of XXX and the chair of YYY will meet with the deans from AAA and BBB to seek a solution. Information about teaching assignments and scheduling of classes will be shared with department chairs and PAC prior to scheduling for each semester. Competing demands in scheduling between the XXX and YYY departments will first be addressed by the department chairs. If a satisfactory resolution is not reached by both department chairs, then the respective divisional deans will be consulted. The Provost will have the final decision in any conflicting viewpoints.

Assessment

Program review for this major will be the primary responsibility of XXX with the support of YYY. XXX will be responsible for assessment of XXX courses and YYY will be responsible for assessment of YYY courses. The PAC is responsible for program quality assurance and will develop and maintain a plan and required reporting for assessment of student learning outcomes for the program with the approval of both department chairs. As required by University policy, all courses in this major will obtain course evaluations of their respective classes.

Faculty Hiring, Promotion & Mentoring

Faculty hired and appointed to support teaching in this program will be the responsibility of the respective department for the given course(s). Promotion and mentoring of faculty will be the responsibility of the home department. If a faculty with a joint appointment across the two departments is hired, the department chairs will develop a memorandum of understanding following the guidelines for joint appointments set forth by the Office of the Provost.

Marketing/Communication

XXX will take the primary role in developing program marketing and communications materials and any social media presence for the program and would welcome input from the YYY department chair or the chair’s designee.

Advising

XXX will assign a XXX faculty member for advising all students in the [PROGRAM NAME] major and ensure that the faculty provides high quality advisement.

Facility Use and Maintenance

Scheduling and use of any Miami University owned studio or laboratory space will be coordinated by the PAC. The PAC is responsible for equipment and facility quality and will develop a maintenance plan with the approval of both department chairs. Maintenance cost (including replacement, upgrading, and augmentation of equipment and facilities) will be in proportion to overall student enrollment.

The budget managers for each division will develop a budget plan that is equitable and that is reviewed and approved by the two deans. This budget will be reviewed annually and adjusted to ensure equity across the departments and a high-quality learning environment for students.

We agree to the collaborative administration of the major in [PROGRAM NAME] as proposed above. This agreement will be reviewed for possible amendment annually by the PAC and each department chair.

Signed and Dated:

_______________________________________ ___________________

Department Chair, XXX Date

_______________________________________ ___________________

Department Chair, YYY Date

_______________________________________ ___________________

Dean, College of AAA Date

_______________________________________ ___________________

Dean, College of BBB Date

_______________________________________ ___________________

Provost Date