Charge:
The Academic Priorities Council shall:
(a) Provide advice to the Administration on matters of academic planning and priority;
(b) Provide advice to the Administration relating to the growth, stabilization, reduction, merger or closure of academic programs;
(c) Review, at the request of the Administration, long-range plans affecting academic priorities or the conditions of academic programs;
(d) Review all proposals for new programs.  Since the concept of priority includes competition for resources, the Council’s review may include an assessment of the priority of the proposed new program in relation to existing programs with which the new program will compete; and

(e) Provide to the Senate, at its request, advice regarding academic planning or academic programs.

(f) Review and make recommedations regarding the AQAD process.

Membership:
Its membership shall be:
(a) Fifteen Faculty Members, including one from each School/College headed by a Dean and one Librarian selected at large;
(b) A Representative from the Commonwealth Honors College Council, appointed by the Chair of the Commonwealth Honors College Council;
(c) The Associate Chancellor and Chief Planning Officer, serving ex officio;
(d) A Representative of the Massachusetts Society of Professors;
(e)The Provost or a designee, serving ex officio;
(f) The Chairperson of the Academic Matters Council or a designee, serving ex officio;
(g) The Chairperson of the Program and Budget Council or a designee, serving ex officio;
(h) The Chairperson of the Graduate Council or a designee, serving ex officio;
(i) The Secretary of the Faculty Senate or a designee, serving ex officio, non-voting;
(j) One Graduate Student; and
(k) Two Undergraduate Students.

From Chapter 5 Section 3 of the Faculty Senate Bylaws.