New Business —

The committee reviews the following program requests for discontinuance: 

• Graduate Certificate in Studies in Equity & Social Diversity
• MA in Religious Studies
• MS in Environmental and Water Resources Science
• PhD in Environmental and Water Resources Science
• PhD in Film & Media Studies

Graduate Certificate in Studies in Equity & Social Diversity: 

There is concern regarding students still appearing to be in the program and what the plan is for those students to finish the program. This isn’t specified directly on the discontinuance request. 

University Registrar confirms there are 2 students currently still enrolled in this certificate program. 

MA in Religious Studies: 

• There are no students currently left in this program and could almost fall under inactive.
• Ben Eggleston, Associate Dean of College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, shares the Dean’s office does support this request. There haven’t been students enrolled in the program for several years and don’t foresee having the resources to continue it as an active program again.
• Sean Atkinson motions to discontinue. Avantha Kodithuwakku seconds. Motion approved by acclamation. No objections. 

MS in Environmental and Water Resources Science: 

• Four students are currently in the program.
• There is a teach-out program for these students over the next four years so these students can complete their degrees.
• It doesn’t appear the students or faculty will be impacted.
• Ted Peltier with the School of Engineering confirms that this is a correct summary.
  • The School of Engineering is combining the Environmental and Water Resources MS degree with an MS Environmental Engineering degree so students may complete their current degree as planned or switch to the Environmental Engineering MS degree.
• New students will not be allowed to enter the MS in Environmental and Water Resources Science Degree. 

PhD in Environmental and Water Resources Science

• This program has had persistently low enrollment over the last five years.
• Changes are being proposed for admission requirements for the existing Environmental Engineering PhD program so that most potential Environmental Science students could pursue that program.

• Similar to the MS degree, this program is being merged into the EE PhD program. 

  Approved for discontinuance by acclamation. No objections. 

   

PhD in Film & Media Studies

• This program has low enrollment and it’s no longer feasible to staff a PhD program.
• The department plans to focus on increasing enrollment in the MA program which seems to be more beneficial given the state of current financial and faculty resources.
• Two students remain in the program and both have teach-out plans, and both students are close to graduating.
• There appears to be no impact on students. If program is discontinued, the two students will be able to complete their degrees.
• Approved for discontinuance by acclamation. No objections.

At the October meeting the committee will review the Graduate Certificate in Studies in Equity & Social Diversity again and make sure the unit is aware there are two students still enrolled in this graduate certificate program and what the plan is. 

Next meeting is October 7, 2025, at 9:00am.

Meeting adjourned.