Section VIII - Faculty & Instruction

VIII B 7

Instruction - Challenged Courses Policy

To state the College’s policy for challenged courses

Courses offered in Continuing Education are approved by the Vice President for Workforce Development and Continuing Education. Challenges to the appropriateness of course content should be directed to the Vice President for Workforce Development and Continuing Education.

Courses offered through Curriculum Programs are selected from courses approved by the Curriculum Review Committee of the North Carolina Community College System and listed in the Combined Course Library (CCL). Each curriculum program is approved through the Curriculum Review Committee of the College, including changes in courses being offered within each curriculum program. Challenges to the appropriateness of course content should be directed using the following sequence: instructor for course, Department Chair, Dean of Curriculum Programs, and Vice President for Instructional Services.

If the complaint or concern regarding the course content is not resolved at the VP level, then the following policy will be applied:

  1. The individual or group making the complaint will be expected to make a formal statement that specifies the nature of the inappropriate material and present specific evidence that justifies that claim.
  2. The President will appoint an Ad Hoc Committee that includes at least two individuals with academic or professional credentials in the field or a related discipline of the course under review.
  3. The Committee must review the course and render a recommendation to the President within ten working days after receipt of the complaint.
  4. The Ad Hoc Committee will adhere to the following procedures:
    • Review the American Association of University Professor’s Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure.
    • Review any professional standards of academic freedom or professional standards specific to the area of concern.
    • Examine the course outline, syllabus, or other class materials in addition to the specific elements of the complaint.
    • Solicit responses from the instructor(s) and students as necessary.
    • Evaluate the materials, instructional interpretations, or method of presentation in the context of the course, professional standards, or within the definition of academic freedom.
    • Seek guidance from appropriate academic or professional organizations if necessary.
    • Submit a report of the committee’s findings and recommendations to the Vice President for Instructional Services.
    • Should the individual or group making the complaint or the instructor wish to appeal the decision of the committee, the matter will be referred to the President for further consideration.
    • The final decision will reside with the President.

 

Adopted: 04/15/1999

Revised: 07/15/1999, 01/17/2008