The Academic and Student Affairs Committee of the UO Board of Trustees approved three new graduate programs during its Wednesday meeting.
The degree programs are the first to move through the streamlined review process since the Board of Trustees amended the Retention and Delegation of Authority policy during its March meetings. At that time, the board indicated that it had confidence in the due diligence of the university’s program-vetting process.
The process includes each school and college review, as well as recommendation for approval by the University Senate.
Board Chair Chuck Lillis noted that once programs reach the Academic and Student Affairs Committee after a thorough process by academic subject experts, the discussion and decision by the committee was sufficient to ensure thorough assessment of new programs. Lillis also said it was important that the board not present an unnecessary delay for vetted programs. The committee’s role, on behalf of the board, is to ensure that proposals align with the overall strategic mission of the university.
Three health science graduate degrees were recently approved by the University Senate and are affiliated with the UO’s health promotion and obesity prevention cluster. The degree programs now move to the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission for final approval. If approved, the UO will be one of only three doctoral programs in prevention science in the country.
“There is a significant need in Oregon and nationwide for a cadre of professionals who can evaluate whether programs are effective in preventing behavioral health problems and who can partner with community agencies to increase the number of individuals served by effective prevention programs. The UO has a rich and impressive history in the field of prevention science, and the new graduate programs will enable students to be trained by leaders in the field,” said professor Leslie Leve, associate director of the Prevention Science Institute.
Additionally, the committee approved a location change for a master’s program in historic preservation, moving it from Eugene to Portland, where students and the community can be better served.
Acting Provost Frances Bronet advocated relocating to the center of the Old Town Portland Historic District to increase collaboration with other UO programs, such as architecture, and with other Portland-area universities, creating opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and potential partnerships.
Rounding out the committee’s agenda were two resolutions adopting changes to the student conduct code, which were forwarded to the full board. These resolutions would make permanent the temporary changes approved by the board in September, as well as enact new changes recommended by the Division of Student Life after a consultative process with students and faculty.
Following public comment on the changes to the conduct code, student trustee Helena Schlegel moved to amend the resolution that will be sent to the full board to incorporate law professor John Bonine’s proposed changes that would remove the use of journals, written assignments and community service from sanction options in cases of sexual misconduct.
“The student conduct code is a living, breathing document that will continue to move through the process, and I don’t believe that this will be the last time this is brought to this committee,” said committee Chair Mary Wilcox.
Interim President Scott Coltrane also updated the committee about the Clusters of Excellence hiring initiatives that recently entered into an important recruiting phase for top researchers in three areas of excellence at the UO. An effort is underway to bring nearly a dozen top-flight researchers to campus.
Bronet also updated the committee on the university’s academic offerings in and its approach to UO Portland.
— By Jen McCulley, Public Affairs Communications