The University of Idaho Faculty Senate approved 17 University Curriculum Committee items regarding degree modifications, name changes, new programs and curricular updates.
Delivered by Steve Wang, UCC 615 proposed a new master’s degree in AI. The degree would use existing faculty and resources and be offered both in person and online. Concerns were raised by the senate that additional faculty may be needed if enrollment grows but passed unanimously.
Presented by Eric Mittelstaedt from the Department of Earth and Spatial Sciences, UCC 486 proposed changing the name of the climate change and solutions Bachelor of Science major to climate sciences and solutions, due to a request by the Idaho State Board of Education. Concerns were raised about political influence on course naming and academics. The item passed 18–2.
UCC items 175 and 602, given by Wendy Couture and Jessica McKinlay, proposed converting undergraduate law emphases to certificates for Juris Doctor students. This would create no new courses or costs and passed unanimously. Discussion concluded that certificates offer clearer credentials and align better with current ISBoE practices.
UCC 194, delivered by Sean Butterfield, director of the Lionel Hampton School of Music, proposed adding a new emphasis for non-auditioned students focused on contemporary music, digital audio workstation use and guitar. This was intended to address the need for broader access to applied music and passed unanimously.
Presented by Brian Fowler from the Department of Movement Sciences, UCC 280 sought to rename the sport and recreation management program, update the curriculum and change the Classification of Instructional Programs code to reflect a focus on sports management. The item passed unanimously. CIP codes are federal codes used for reporting, data collection, funding and tracking higher education programs.
UCC 301 passed unanimously to remove outdated courses, adding new courses and updating the CIP code for the operations and supply chain management major. UCC 294 was approved unanimously to add an online course content option for the sociology major with no curricular changes. UCC 3 proposed adding a Professional Golfers of America management option to the accounting major to align with other business majors and passed unanimously.
Delivered by James Moberly from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, UCC 168 proposed a reduced credit load for the chemical engineering major. It aims to clarify catalog language and adjust to the ISBoE’s 120-credit requirement policy and passed unanimously.
UCC 613, presented by Shauna Correy and Xiao Hu, proposed a new interdisciplinary program for architecture, engineering and business, focusing on design-build integration. The senate debated whether the program should be housed in the institute undergraduate curriculum committee or the college. They also discussed general education recommendations versus requirements and the need for further review. The item passed 15–3, with the housing issue pushed to future discussion.
The UI Faculty Senate will meet every Tuesday throughout the remaining fall and spring semesters to discuss academic policy and campuswide events. Meeting agendas and minutes are available through the UI Faculty Senate website.
Scarlet Herway can be reached at [email protected].