| 04/10/2023 |
David Kanter (DK) sends proposal for new program to OAPRA |
| 04/24/2023 |
TW responds, advises that a Fall 2024 launch for the new PhD is expected |
| 05/09/2023 |
David Kanter reaches out to OAPRA for an update on proposal. AF responds, will provide a review by EOD 05/09/2023, and a meeting is scheduled for 05/12/2023 to discuss feedback |
| 05/10/2023 |
AF sends David Kanter proposal documents with OAPRA feedback to review prior to meeting on 05/12/2023 |
| 05/11/2023 |
Upon reviewing AF’s feedback, David Kanter replies with revised Forms A and B, relays some concerns re: revising the syllabi, as finding syllabi across schools and departments is difficult. David Kanter sends syllabi for 3 methods courses and 2 courses for the 3 research themes (Food and Land Systems, Ecological Systems, Systems of Governance). AF responds and proposes providing the following to mitigate potential NYSED response: Syllabi (must be compliant with standards outlined in syllabus requirements sheet): 7 core courses, 4-5 specialization courses (total, not per category), 1-2 methods courses, and 1-2 Breadth courses Course descriptions: 15-20 additional course descriptions further representing available specialization courses and/or some of the additional program focus areas outlined in the proposal. Course List: download the google sheet into an excel for attachment. |
| 05/16/2023 |
David Kanter meets with AF and JS to discuss feedback, David to make edits to Form A discussed during meeting. JS to provide list to David of syllabi that are closest to meeting all criteria for syllabi. |
| 05/16/2023 |
David Kanter makes the following changes Form A: Included the Ecology HEGIS code (but not the other NYU programs with the same code) Hyperlinked the similar NYU PhD programs and deleted the proposed NYU AD program. Included links to NYU FAS’s faculty diversity efforts as well as support services/programs for students Reworded the MacCracken section Moved the admissions requirements to the top of the Curriculum section Included total number of credits at the bottom of the existing course schedule (the 72 credit thing does seem to be consistent with other FAS PhD programs) Explained how the 25% effort for faculty is calculated and the FTE for support staff (bottom of p. 4/top of p.5) Modified Table 3 to reflect the FTE contributions Explained the finance table |
| 05/22/2023 |
AF to provide feedback on revised Form A and next steps by EOD 05/24/2023 |
| 05/25/2023 |
AF provides feedback, advises revisions should be made on syllabi, Form A, and course descriptions for all restricted and unrestricted requirements |
| 05/26/2023 |
David responds to AF's feedback and provides round 3 of proposal draft documents |
| 05/31/2023 |
David reaches out requesting an update on proposal review |
| 06/01/2023 |
AF advises David that a review will be complete 06/05 |
| 06/06/2023 |
David reaches out for additional status update, AD confirms completed review week of 06/05 |
| 06/08/2023 |
JS updates syllabi review spreadsheet to include credit integrity information |
| 06/08/2023 |
AF writes to David confirming proposal is complete without issues, OAPRA to send to NYSED Friday 06/09 or Monday 06/12. JS to compile documents into a single PDF for AF to send to NYSED |
| 06/13/2023 |
AF sends complete proposal to NYSED for review. AF informs David of this, David asks if NYSED provides a timeline for evaluations. AF responds: NYSED does not, OAPRA will follow up in 4-6 weeks if no response is received |
| 07/19/2023 |
David Kanter writes to AF, inquiring if OAPRA has received any updates from NYSED on the review status of this proposal. |
| 07/20/2023 |
AF responds, confirming there are no updates from NYSED, and that we will follow up on the week of 07/24 |
| 07/27/2023 |
David Kanter reaches out, inquiring if OAPRA has reached out to NYSED for an update on the proposal review status. |
| 08/04/2023 |
David Kanter reaches out for a status update, and notes the department is working on the PhD website and will be ready to launch in September once the proposal is approved |
| 08/04/2023 |
AF reaches out to NYSED for a status update on proposal review |
| 08/08/2023 |
AF responds to David and CCs Allan Corns, confirming that OAPRA has reached out to NYSED for a follow up, but have not yet received a response, likely due to staffing turnover. David responds confirming receipt, requests that OAPRA continue follow ups with NYSED |
| 08/14/2023 |
Ellen Stevens of NYSED responds, indicating proposal is assigned and under review: Ellen will check on status of PhD proposal and will update AF |
| 08/18/2023 |
David reaches out to AF requesting an update from NYSED |
| 08/23/2023 |
AF responds to David, confirming there has been no word from NYSED yet. |
| 08/30/2023 |
David reaches out, confirming receipt and notes that the department has everything ready to launch once the program is approved by NYSED - David requests that OAPRA check-in again w/ NYSED week of 09/04 |
| 09/05/2023 |
David reaches out to AF requesting OAPRA inquire w/ NYSED for status update on proposal review |
| 09/05/2023 |
AF responds, CCing Allan Corns, noting that NYSED is not beholden to NYU's internal timelines, however OAPRA is doing everything we can to get prompt responses from NYSED |
| 09/05/2023 |
David responds confirming receipt. |
| 09/13/2023 |
David reaches out to AF requesting status update from NYSED, asks the following: "Do we know if it's at a particular stage of review? Or does NYSED keep the process a black box? It would be helpful even just to know whether the application is under review now or hasn't even been looked at yet etc. as we try to organize and plan our time this semester and beyond." |
| 09/20/2023 |
NYSED provides feedback: Please confirm whether or not the University will be offering an associated MPhil for this PhD program. If an associated MPhil is to be offered, please provide an revised Doctoral Proposal Cover Page which indicates the two proposed program degrees. Please also confirm that the MPhil program will meet Section 52.2(c)(9) of Commissioner’s Regulations. [Section 52.2(c)(9) – Curricula and awards. The master of philosophy degree shall require completion of all requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy except the dissertation, and shall require that the student has been admitted to candidacy in a doctor of philosophy curriculum offered by the institution conferring the master of philosophy degree.] The sample schedule provided does not appear to reflect a full-time sequence pursuant to NYS regulations. As a reminder, Section 145-2.1 of Commissioner’s Regulations defines full-time study, for financial aid purposes, as enrollment of at least 12 credits per semester. Based on Table B, the Fall 1 and Spring 1 terms fall short of the 12-credit minimum. A graduate program, however, may be considered full-time with less than 12 credit hours in a semester if students during that semester are engaged in “Independent or individualized study, practice teaching, graduate assistantships, thesis or dissertation research, preparation for language or qualifying examinations, and noncredit or remedial courses … contributing toward full-time or part-time study on an hour-for-hour equivalent basis....” Please clarify whether any of the activities identified in Section 145-2.1 contribute toward full-time study for the Fall 1 and Spring 1 terms. If not, the program will be designated “Not Full-Time”(N-FT” format) when registered. |
| 09/20/2023 |
AF instructs JS to send original Sample Schedule sent by David, and to edit the cover page per NYSED instructions to include MPhil. JS completes both tasks. |
| 09/20/2023 |
AF writes to David: We have finally received state feedback and the final request prior to approval is minor: The sample schedule provided does not appear to reflect a full-time sequence pursuant to NYS regulations. As a reminder, Section 145-2.1 of Commissioner’s Regulations defines full-time study, for financial aid purposes, as enrollment of at least 12 credits per semester. Based on Table B, the Fall 1 and Spring 1 terms fall short of the 12-credit minimum. A graduate program, however, may be considered full-time with less than 12 credit hours in a semester if students during that semester are engaged in “Independent or individualized study, practice teaching, graduate assistantships, thesis or dissertation research, preparation for language or qualifying examinations, and noncredit or remedial courses … contributing toward full-time or part-time study on an hour-for-hour equivalent basis....” Please clarify whether any of the activities identified in Section 145-2.1 contribute toward full-time study for the Fall 1 and Spring 1 terms. If not, the program will be designated “Not Full-Time”(N-FT” format) when registered. Please confirm the following response is an accurate representation of how the program will operate: "As identified on page 14 of the attached proposal, the PhD Environmental studies engages in extensive non-credited work that aligns with NYS regulations' list of additional activities eligible for counting towards full time study. We can confirm that students are completing a full-time course of study that requires, between credited and uncredited work, at least the equivalent of 36 hours of time per week for a 15 week in alignment with NYS regulations on full time study." Please revise the program of study (page 74 attached) to include the non-credited activities listed in the proposal, indicating how much time it is anticipated students will spend on those activities per week. This should wrap things up quickly and get you that approval! |
| 09/20/2023 |
David responds, sending updated Program Schedule to include "Non-credited work: Independent research (6 hours)" for the semesters with 10 credits, and for the semesters with 12 credits, "Non-credited work: Independent research (12 hours)" to indicate FT status per NYSED feedback |
| 09/21/2023 |
AF instructs JS to review new schedule sent by David for credit hour compliance |
| 09/21/2023 |
09/21/2023: JS responds: the calculations are as follows: For the courses that were previously 10 credits, we need 2 more to reach 12, i.e. 1,500 additional minutes. David has added 6 hours of non credited research time for these semesters: 6 hours x 14 weeks = 5,040 minutes. We therefore exceed the required amount. For the courses that were previously 8 credits, we need 4 more to reach 12, i.e. 3,000 additional minutes. David has added 12 hours of non-credited research time for these semesters: 12 hours x 14 weeks = 10,080 minutes. We therefore exceed the required amount. Are these totals too excessive if the research time is weekly, or am I OK to go ahead and revise the schedules to clarify that the research time is indeed weekly? |
| 09/22/2023 |
AF requests JS confirm w/ David if these calculations are correct |
| 09/22/2023 |
JS drafts email to David and sends to AF for review: “Hi David, thank you for sending along the revised graduate program schedule. Before re-submitting to NYSED, I wanted to confirm the frequency of the independent research component with you to ensure we are demonstrating full-time status, per the feedback we received. For semesters that were previously 10 credits, you have added 6 hours of non-credited research time. For semesters that were previously 8 credits, you had added 12 hours of non-credited research time. Can you please confirm if the added research time is completed per week, or is this the total per semester? This will impact how I calculate the semester totals in terms of instructional time. If, for example, research time takes place on a weekly basis, the calculations are as follows: 6 hours x 14 weeks = 5,040 minutes. 12 hours x 14 weeks = 10,080 minutes. Thank you!” |
| 09/22/2023 |
AF responds to JS: Your previous email to me was more clear. Incorporate the following into your draft: For the courses that were previously 10 credits, we need 2 more to reach 12, i.e. 1,500 additional minutes. David has added 6 hours of non credited research time for these semesters: 6 hours x 14 weeks = 5,040 minutes. We therefore exceed the required amount. For the courses that were previously 8 credits, we need 4 more to reach 12, i.e. 3,000 additional minutes. David has added 12 hours of non-credited research time for these semesters: 12 hours x 14 weeks = 10,080 minutes. We therefore exceed the required amount. |
| 09/22/2023 |
JS sends revised draft: “Hi David, thank you for sending along the revised graduate program schedule. Before re-submitting to NYSED, I wanted to confirm the independent research component with you to ensure we are demonstrating full-time status. Can you please confirm if the added research time is completed per week, or is this the total per semester? This will impact how I calculate the semester totals in terms of instructional time. If, for example, research time takes place on a weekly basis, the calculations are as follows: For the courses that were previously 10 credits, we need 2 more to reach 12, i.e. 1,500 additional minutes. You have added 6 hours of non credited research time for these semesters: 6 hours x 14 weeks = 5,040 minutes. We therefore exceed the required amount. For the courses that were previously 8 credits, we need 4 more to reach 12, i.e. 3,000 additional minutes. You have added 12 hours of non-credited research time for these semesters: 12 hours x 14 weeks = 10,080 minutes. We therefore exceed the required amount. Please confirm this is in line with program requirements. Thank you!” |
| 09/22/2023 |
AF approves response, JS sends to David |
| 09/22/2023 |
David responds: "Ah OK got it, thanks for the opportunity to clarify, Jesse. I'm happy to just offer the rough amount of additional non credited research time to comply with state requirements. So for the 10 credit semesters, let's say an additional 2 hours of non credited research time per week x 14 weeks: 1,680 minutes. An for the 8 credit semesters, let's say an additional 4 hours of non credited research time per week x 14 weeks: 3360 minutes. Is it 14 or 15 weeks? I thought I remembered Alex telling me earlier it was 15, but I may be misremembering. Let me know if I can provide any additional information." |
| 09/23/2023 |
AF reaches out to David: "I have revised based on your response to make this more straightforward. Let me know if this looks good and accurate based on your expectation of how the program will be run and the research expectations for students. We can send once you confirm." |
| 09/23/2023 |
David responds, confirms the revised schedule is appropriate |
| 09/25/2023 |
AF asks JS to send revised doctoral submission cover letter to include MPhil component, per NYSED feedback. JS sends |
| 09/25/2023 |
AF submits revised proposal to Ellen Stevens of NYSED, include's NYU's response: Thank you for your consideration of our proposal. We really appreciate your time and care! Below we have provided our response to your questions. Please let us know if there is anything else that we may provide to support your final review and approval. Please confirm whether or not the University will be offering an associated MPhil for this PhD program. If an associated MPhil is to be offered, please provide a revised Doctoral Proposal Cover Page which indicates the two proposed program degrees. Please also confirm that the MPhil program will meet Section 52.2(c)(9) of Commissioner’s Regulations. [Section 52.2(c)(9) – Curricula and awards. The master of philosophy degree shall require completion of all requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy except the dissertation, and shall require that the student has been admitted to candidacy in a doctor of philosophy curriculum offered by the institution conferring the master of philosophy degree.] NYU Response: The associated MPhil will be offered and the cover letter has been revised and provided attached. This MPhil will be conferred in alignment with Section 52.2(c)(9) of Commissioner’s Regulations. [Section 52.2(c)(9) – Curricula and awards. The master of philosophy degree shall require completion of all requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy except the dissertation, and shall require that the student has been admitted to candidacy in a doctor of philosophy curriculum offered by the institution conferring the master of philosophy degree. The sample schedule provided does not appear to reflect a full-time sequence pursuant to NYS regulations. As a reminder, Section 145-2.1 of Commissioner’s Regulations defines full-time study, for financial aid purposes, as enrollment of at least 12 credits per semester. Based on Table B, the Fall 1 and Spring 1 terms fall short of the 12-credit minimum. A graduate program, however, may be considered full-time with less than 12 credit hours in a semester if students during that semester are engaged in “Independent or individualized study, practice teaching, graduate assistantships, thesis or dissertation research, preparation for language or qualifying examinations, and noncredit or remedial courses … contributing toward full-time or part-time study on an hour-for-hour equivalent basis....” Please clarify whether any of the activities identified in Section 145-2.1 contribute toward full-time study for the Fall 1 and Spring 1 terms. If not, the program will be designated “Not Full-Time”(N-FT” format) when registered. NYU Response: As identified on page 14 of the original proposal (attached), the PhD in Environmental Studies engages in extensive non-credited work that aligns with NYS regulations' list of additional activities eligible for counting towards full time study. We can confirm that students are completing a full-time course of study that requires, between credited and uncredited work. We have attached a revised sample student schedule to reflect the minimum anticipated work. |
| 09/26/2023 |
AF writes to David, confirming OAPRA has responded to NYSED feedback. David responds, confirming receipt |
| 09/27/2023 |
Ellen responds to AF: I just wanted to let you know that the proposed Environmental Studies PhD program and the associated M Phil program (proposal #2023-1576) have both been approved. Based on the information you provided, the programs will be registered with the “Full-Time” format and will be noted as eligible for TAP and VVTA financial aid. You should be receiving an email confirming registration very soon. |
| 09/28/2023 |
AF updates David on impending official approval of the proposal: Hi David, Great news! We have received notification from our NYSED reviewer that we will be receiving NYSED approval--no additional information will be required. Please wait to take any action (advertising, admissions, recruitment etc) until we receive the official documentation. We should be receiving this shortly. |
| 10/05/2023 |
NYSED sends official notice of approval |
| 10/05/2023 |
JS notifies GSAS liaison, registrar and stakeholders of NYSED approval |