Defining Low Enrollment

Each department should set related standards in consultation with the appropriate Dean.

The College over the last ten years has generally considered an undergraduate course with fewer than 16 students or a graduate course with fewer than 8 students as under-enrolled, with under-enrolled courses canceled.

In courses with both undergraduate and graduate students, enrollment counts are generally adjusted, with each graduate student counted as two members of the course. For example, a 10 person course with 4 graduate students and 6 undergraduates would have an adjusted enrollment of 14 members.

Generally, a course must have at least 16 student members with the adjusted count to be considered sufficiently enrolled. Departments and programs should consider enrollments carefully, making responsible decisions about courses that should be canceled.

For example, some under-enrolled courses are required for a major and must be offered routinely; other offerings, like the ones listed below, are designed for smaller groups of students.

Small by Design

Some courses are designed for fewer students and thus are not considered under-enrolled even if they have fewer enrollment than other courses.

• Arranged courses
• First-year seminars
• Online courses
• Independent studies
• Internships
• Practicum
• Lessons
• Capstone course
• Research experiences