University Senate met to hear a proposal for a new business co-major housed within the Farmer School of Business (FSB). The senate also passed a proposal to create a new major in the language department and a policy change to the combined graduate degree program at its meeting April 28.
Andrew Reffett, associate dean for educational excellence and professor of accountancy, presented a proposal to create a new business management co-major within FSB, only available to non-FSB students.
Reffett said this program would help fill the demand for an FSB education, particularly among students who are not in the business school.
“Adding FSB programming education to non-FSB students will help students who have interest in something other than business, but can see the practical value of a business education,” Reffett said. “I think this will help attract, help us yield more high-achieving students.”
Reffett said the program has support from both students and faculty who see the value of the combined program for student employment outcomes.
Some senators voiced concern over the demand for the program and asked if the program would require increased faculty resources. Reffett said the program would not require new faculty or resources; however, the program would likely need to be capped because student interest is so great.
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The senate will vote on the proposal at its next meeting on May 5.
The senate passed a policy revision that requires future proposals to add a major, minor or certificate to be brought before the Council of Academic Deans. This revision will help to ensure there is a dedicated place and process to discuss adding new programs.
Additionally, the senate passed a proposal to create a new languages and cultures major. This major is intended to replace six majors in the language department that are being deactivated.
Jason Abbitt, associate dean of the graduate school, answered questions on his proposal to change the number of course hours that can overlap for students’ undergraduate and graduate degrees. This change is intended to bring Miami University in line with state requirements and other Ohio universities.
“We do want this policy to move to a situation where [the] undergraduate degree is completed first, and [the] masters follows that,” Abbitt said. “We think our current policy opens up too large of a loophole where it does put us in conflict with some other things.”
The senate voted to pass the proposal.
Rosemary Pennington, professor of journalism and chair of the Department of Media, Journalism and Film, proposed a dissolution of the Council on Diversity and Inclusion (CODI) in light of Senate Bill 1. If CODI is not sunsetted by the University Senate, it could be dissolved by the Board of Trustees instead.
The senate's final meeting of the semester is at 3:30 p.m. on May 5 in 111 Harrison Hall.
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