Vol. 17, No. 19	Feb. 12, 1998

New school proposed at Faculty Senate Feb. 9 meeting

Pending trustee approval, the new school, created by the merger of the Educational Development and Educational Studies departments, would be the college's second professional school, joining the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy. According to the resolution, faculty of both departments already share instructional programs and student support services and the recommendation to merge was supported by a two-thirds majority in each department.

During discussion of the resolution, senators learned that no changes in the undergraduate or graduate curriculum are planned immediately. In response to a question, Dan Rich, dean of the college, said that the term "school" is used by most prominent education programs in the nation, but the status of the new school at the University is similar to that of a large department. He said that a transition team will work through the spring to reconcile budgets and documents between the departments.

In other business, the senate approved provisionally for five years a new major leading to a master's degree in health promotion. Based in the Department of Health and Exercise Science in the College of Health and Nursing Sciences, the new degree is a 33-credit-hour, non-thesis program, which will involve faculty from other departments, including Nutrition and Dietetics, Nursing and Individual and Family Studies.

Health promotion is the "science and art of helping people change their lifestyles to move toward a state of optimal health, defined as a balance of physical, emotional, social and intellectual health."

Senators also approved three new honors degrees. Within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, honors degrees were established in animal science and in entomology and applied ecology. An honors degree leading to a bachelor of arts in French, German or Spanish and political science also was created.

A resolution increasing the length of time to appeal a promotion and tenure request was passed by the senate. Guidelines in the Faculty Handbook now state that "An intention to appeal must be given to the appropriate body within five working days of notification of decision."

-Cornelia Weil