A clear communication strategy is essential to ensure students understand what is changing, how it affects them, and what actions they need to take, reducing confusion and anxiety. It also helps build trust by demonstrating transparency, consistency, and support throughout the transition. However, the scope and complexity of the changes should shape the approach, as smaller updates may only require targeted or minimal communication rather than a full-scale plan. The content on this page addresses an approach to a more complex and impactful curriculum submission package.
- Transparency: Clearly explain what is changing, why, and how it affects students.
- Student-centered framing: Focus on impact to progression, graduation timelines, and options.
- Consistency: Ensure all channels deliver the same message.
- Repetition: Students need multiple touchpoints - not a single announcement.
- Early announcement: Announce early, but don't overcommit too early.
- Communicate once the proposal is serious and likely, and the core direction is stable, even if details may change.
- Usually safe enough to share after approval at faculty council.
- Share high-level changes and rationale.
- Flag that detailed guidance is coming.
- Helps reduce anxiety and rumours.
- Be explicit and repetitive about the "pending" status.
- Label emails, websites, slides, etc. with "proposed changes".
- Communicate once the proposal is serious and likely, and the core direction is stable, even if details may change.
- Pre-implementation: Once approved:
- Provide specifics by cohort/program.
- Release advising materials and FAQs.
- Train faculty and advisors first.
- Just-in-time reminders: 1-2 months before impact (usually course registration)
- Reinforce key actions students must take.
Use multiple formats and touchpoints.
- Targeted emails.
- Academic unit/program website.
- Depending on the size of the curriculum changes, consider a dedicated web page.
- Information sessions (live + recorded).
- Advising appointments and/or drop-in Q&A sessions (virtual and in person).
- Aim to address:
- What is changing?
- Who is affected?
- What are the implications?
- What are the options?
- What actions are required?
- Where to get help.
- Prior to approval/pending stage: Provide interim guidance for decisions (e.g., course registration).
- Academic Calendar: Once published, reference it/link to it in communications.
- Consider different messages for different cohorts (year/program).