Charges

Scope and Responsibilities

The Degree Integrity Council:

  • Reviews existing and proposed academic policies and administrative processes that affect the integrity of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees.
  • Identifies opportunities to strengthen institutional policies, improve consistency across schools, reduce administrative burden, and mitigate compliance risk.
  • Reviews emerging federal, and accreditation, requirements that may affect academic policies or degree integrity.
  • Provides recommendations regarding policies and procedures related to areas such as:
    • degree and certificate requirements
    • credit hour compliance
    • residency and minimum unique hour requirements
    • transfer credit and prior learning assessment
    • academic credentials, transcript notation, and credential issuance
    • academic calendars and scheduling practices that affect degree completion
    • other academic policies affecting institutional compliance and degree quality.
  • Promotes coordination among the Provost's Office, the Faculty Senate, academic schools, the Registrar, and other administrative units to ensure consistent implementation of academic policies.
  • Advises the Provost and other university governance bodies on matter affecting degree integrity and institutional compliance.
  • Recommends issues requiring faculty governance review through the appropriate committees, including the Academic Policies Committee of the Faculty Senate and the Educational Programs Committee, recognizing that authority for academic policy resides with the faculty except where otherwise delegated.

Guiding Principles

The Council conducts its work with the following principles in mind:

  • Protect the academic integrity and value of SMU credentials.
  • Promote student success while maintaining appropriate academic rigor.
  • Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and applicable laws and regulations.
  • Foster transparency, consistency, and equity in academic policies and administrative practices.
  • Encourage collaboration among academic and administrative stakeholders.
  • Balance innovation with appropriate institutional oversight and risk management.

Reporting

The Degree Integrity Council serves in an advisory capacity to the Provost and may forward recommendations to appropriate faculty governance committees, university administrative committees, or institutional leaders for consideration and action.