The general application procedure for vocational programs
shall apply except that:
A. Whereas
students attending VTI's come from all parts of the state and whereas the state
has a high occurrence of families with below average income, the distribution
of funds to the VTI system will be considered as one.
B. Joint program screening and approval
process:
The Screening Committee is charged with the responsibility of
guaranteeing against undesirable duplication, promoting joint program planning
between the University (referring to any and all campuses of the University of
Maine system) and the Vocational Technical Institutes (referring to any and all
campuses of the Vocational Technical Institutes) and encouraging both
institutions to share resources, facilities and staff, as appropriate.
The following approval procedures have been developed to
carry out this responsibility.
1. When
either the University or the Department of Education (hereinafter called
Department) considers a new program, the respective University campus or
Vocational Technical Institute site will complete an intention to plan.
a. The "Intent to Plan" form for less than
baccalaureate, catalogued programs for the University is sent from the campus
to the Vice Chancellor for Academic affairs. After review by the University
Program Review Committee, the Vice Chancellor will send the Intent to Plan to
the Screening Committee with comment, or if considered already," the Intent to
Plan is returned to the campus (University) with an explanation for the
action.
b. The "Intent to Plan"
form for less than baccalaureate, catalogued programs for the Vocational
Technical Institutes is sent from the campus to the Associate Commissioner for
Vocational Education. After review by a meeting of the Vocational Technical
Institute Directors and approval by the Associate Commissioner for Vocational
Education, it is sent to the Screening Committee with comment, or if not
considered "ready," the Intent to Plan is returned to the campus (Vocational
Technical Institute) with explanation for the action.
2. Each "Intent to Plan" forwarded to the
Screening Committee by the University or the Department will include a detailed
transmittal letter indicating the specific recommendations of the Program
Review Committee (University) or Directors (Vocational Technical Institute)
developed in the initial screening process.
3. The Screening Committee acknowledges
receipt of the "Intent to Plan" and forwards copies of the plan to all the
campuses-University and Vocational Technical Institute -with a request for
institutional reactions to the "Intent to Plan," within a three-week period of
receipt of the copy of the Plan.
4.
When an "Intent to Plan" is placed on the Screening Committee agenda for
action, the person responsible for planning the program and any party that has
a vested interest in the program or has any questions regarding the program may
be invited to the Screening Committee meeting. All sessions are open. All
business is recorded by a part-time secretary to the Committee who receives
mutual support from the Department of Education and from the University of
Maine.
5. The Screening Committee
will meet three or four times a year on a published schedule and all requests
for programs will be submitted to the Screening Committee forty-five (45) days
prior to each Screening Committee meeting. Special meetings may be called by
the ex-officio Screening Committee representatives in those special situations
that require immediate action.
In each request, the Committee reviews and discusses the
"Intent," written responses/reactions from other institutions, and all
information relevant to the proposed plan for a new program. The Screening
Committee determines whether or not the program meets the three
criteria:
a. to guarantee against
undesirable duplication;
b. to
promote joint planning; and
c. to
achieve a sharing of resources, facilities, and staff as appropriate.
If continued planning is approved, the Vocational Technical
Institute or University campus is so notified in writing at the same time it
receives a critique of the "Intent to Plan." If an "Intent" is not approved, an
applicant agency can submit a written appeal to the two ex-officio members of
the Screening Committee. They will jointly review the appeal and render a
decision within ten (10) days of its receipt. In the instance they cannot reach
agreement the problem will be forwarded to the Commissioner/Chancellor for
review and action within thirty (30) days.
Once an "Intent to Plan" has been approved the applicant
agency has three months to submit the proposal to the Screening Committee. The
applicant agency can request one automatic extension (of three months) but if
the completed proposal cannot be readied within a six-month period the Intent
to Plan as approved is no longer in effect, and the University campuses and
Vocational Technical Institute locations will be so notified.
A written record will be maintained and attached to the
"Intent to Plan" as part of the file of the applicant institution. A copy of
Screening Committee action will be sent to the applicant institution, as well
as to offices of the Commissioner and the Chancellor.
6. The proposal, once developed,
must be submitted directly to the Screening Committee for review and approval.
In its proposal review it is a task of the Screening Committee to be assured
that the document follows the recommendations offered as part of the critique
of the Intent to Plan. Support of the proposal by the Screening Committee is
contingent upon:
a. A full response to
questions or issues raised by the Screening Committee; and
b. Detailed justification for the
program.
7. The
Screening Committee reports its action (acceptance, rejection, or referral for
further action) with accompanying rationale to the Vice Chancellor or to the
Associate Commissioner, with a copy to the institution submitting the proposal.
In cases of acceptance the recommendations of the Screening Committee are sent
by the Chancellor or Commissioner to the respective Board of either the
Vocational Technical Institute or the University of Maine for their formal
approval.
8. In the event that the
applicant agency does not agree with the findings of the Screening Committee
and agreement cannot be reached, than an appeal of the issue, with complete
documentation, may be submitted to the Chancellor and Commissioner for
resolve.
