Subcommittee on Pathway Courses

Background

The Subcommittee on Pathway Courses (SPWC) is a subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on Curriculum (SSCC).  SPWC has the subject expertise to recommend approval of Pathway (PW) designation to undergraduate (UG) courses following  SSCC approved criteria. 

Mandate

SSCC mandates the Subcommittee on Pathway Courses (SPWC) to: 

1. Annually review and , when necessary, recommend to SSCC changes to 

   1. The subcommittee mandate and membership.

   2. The criteria and guidelines for undergraduate Pathway (PW) designation.

2. When requested by SSCC or when deemed appropriate by committee members
   1. Recommend amendments to applicable policies, websites, and University Calendar content related to undergraduate Pathway (PW) courses.
   2. Provide Faculties, the Senate Standing Committee on Teaching & Learning, and the Office of the Provost with advice regarding undergraduate Pathway-designated courses alignment with academic standards, the goals of the pathway program, and the needs of students.
3. Review proposals for new undergraduate Pathway designated courses, changes to existing undergraduate Pathway courses, and the removal of undergraduate Pathway designated courses following established criteria and guidelines.
4. Report to SSCC of any courses the committee deems to have satisfied the established criteria, for recommendation to Senate as an undergraduate Pathway designated course.
5. Report to the course developers of any undergraduate courses that the committee deems to have not satisfied the established criteria for the Pathway designation.
6. Annually review applicable data on undergraduate PW courses.
7. Perform other duties as assigned by SSCC. 

Approved by SSCC: February 12, 2025

Timelines

SPWC will provide recommendations to SSCC for PATH courses for inclusion in the University Calendar after all necessary committee approvals are in place.

Reporting Mechanism

The committee will report to SSCC new and revised courses that satisfy the established PATH criteria and SSCC will recommend these courses to Senate for approval. The reports will include an inventory of courses reviewed and a list of those recommended for PATH designation. The report may also include recommendations regarding policy or procedure.

Workflow for the Approval of QUAN Courses

1. Courses seeking PATH designation are submitted on the CIM-Courses software. When the appropriate box is selected, the Pathway request template will appear and will trigger a workflow that will include the SPWC.  All relevant Pathway information should be included in the request imbedded in the CIM-Courses software.  The course must be approved by the relevant Faculty curriculum committee (and Faculty council, as may be required) and signed off by the dean and faculty committee chair(s) prior to senate-level approvals.  The Deans office or proponent must then notify the senate office of the PATH request by sending a cover sheet to senate@kpu.ca
2. The Senate Office notifies the SPWC of the PATH request.
3. SPWC assesses the course outlines and recommends approval in accordance with the senate-approved criteria below.  Proponents will be sent a meeting invitation in order to address questions from the committee.
4. The Chair of SPWC informs the Senate Office of the committee’s recommendation to SSCC for approval. If SSCC has queries about the recommendation for approval, the committee may invite the Chair of SPWC to attend the next SSCC meeting before recommending approval of the course to Senate.
5. The approval of new courses and PATH designation for these new courses may be sought in parallel.

(Approved by SSCC, April 2025)

1. Courses are introductory, typically at the first year undergraduate 1100 level.
2. Courses with prerequisites will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
3. Courses are scheduled regularly.
4. Courses are not program restricted.
5. When a Pathway course is brought forward, proponents are to consider historical student success rates, that is the percentage of students who receive a D or F, or withdrew from a course (DFW rate).
6. Students on the Pathway have an English proficiency level lower than UG students. Course content, activities, skills, and assessments are to be accessible by students who have not met the undergraduate level language proficiency. Students’ reading, writing and/or listening skills may be developing and can be mitigated through UDL.
7. The course applies principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), including multiple means of accessing course content and multiple options for representing learning on course assessments (e.g., video or infographic submissions as alternatives to more traditional written assessments).  Please refer to the [insert T&L resource link].
8. The course supports students in acquiring core academic skills (e.g., time management, notetaking, reading skills, critical thinking skills, and learning strategies); this may include intentional direction to Learning Centre programs and resources.
9. There is a coordinated approach to instructional practices that ensure a consistent and inclusive learning experience for all students. 

Additional Attachments:

You may submit additional documentation to support your application.  Examples include draft syllabi, rubrics, assignment guidelines, etc.

Consultations:

Proponents are encouraged to consult with areas familiar with students in pathway such as the Teaching and Learning Commons, ELST and English Upgrading departments.

Chair: Elected by the committee for a three-year term.

The membership of the Subcommittee on Pathway Courses is constituted by representative members from across KPU who have expertise in English upgrading and developmental education. The faculty members are nominated by their respective Faculty councils and approved by the Senate Standing Committee on Curriculum.

Voting Members

• Dean or Associate Dean, Faculty of Academic and Career Preparation
• Two faculty members from the Faculty of Academic and Career Preparation
• Three additional faculty members from Faculties with one or more courses on the Pathway
• One representative from the Teaching and Learning Commons
• One Academic Advisor
• One student currently or previously in the pathway to undergraduate studies 

Non-Voting

• Provost and Vice-President, Academic or designate
• Chair of Senate Standing Committee on Curriculum
• Learning Specialist, Accessibility Services
• Learning Strategist, Learning Centre

Vacant positions do not count towards quorum.

Terms of Office

• Three years

The Chair will inform the committee if a member’s absences exceed three meetings. The committee will discuss the situation and the chair, in conjunction with the committee, may declare the position vacant.