Once faculty have become aware of the need for a new subject, required subject information and certain processing information must be developed. When the proposal is ready for processing, this new-subject information is entered onto the curriculum processing form in the Academic Curriculum Review and Evaluation System (ACRES). Note: creation of the new subject must be approved before courses in the new subject can be processed.

At the ACRES homepage, click on the NEW-Subject Request link and enter the required information in the form:

Initiating College: Using the drop-down menu, indicate the initiating college.

DCC Online Agenda: Using the drop-down menu, select the date of the Online Agenda on which the proposal will appear as an information item.1 Remember to allow adequate time for review of the proposal by the appropriate instructional council(s).2

Effective Year: Enter the four-digit number of the first year when the new subject will be active.

Effective Term: Using the drop-down menu, select the first term when the new subject will be active.

Proposed New Subject: Enter the three-letter prefix that will designate courses in the new subject.3

Proposed Subject Definition: Enter the name of the new subject.

Description of Content Area Taught under Subject: Describe the area of study that courses developed in the new subject will cover. If appropriate, explain how the new subject differs from other similar subjects.

Department/Division Responsible for New Subject: Identify the department or division at the initiating college that will be responsible for the development, processing and scheduling of courses in the new subject.

Instructional Council: Provide the name and code number of the instructional council that will be responsible for developing and reviewing curriculum proposals in the new subject.4

Instructional Council Recommendation: Using the drop-down menu, indicate the recommendation of the instructional council.  

Hiring Qualifications: Check the appropriate box to indicate which set of District standard hiring qualifications must be met by instructors teaching course in the new subject.5

Additional Hiring Qualifications: List any recommended hiring qualifications that exceed District standard qualifications.6

Rationale for New Prefix: In the space provided, explain why the new subject is needed. Include any pertinent information that may be useful to curriculum personnel in reviewing the proposal.