If you missed the Academic Senate meeting on Aug. 30, 2021, or need a refresher, then keep reading for the highlights from the meeting. For more information on the Academic Senate, click here.
Consent Calendar
Undergraduate Minor in Business Analytics
Chong Oh from the David Eccles School of Business presented the following:
Business analytics (BA) skills are in great demand as evidenced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projection of 11% and the recent Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development BA pathway for high schools as well as Utah dept. of workforce services statement that BA is much faster than average growth with a high volume of job openings. BA skills are interdisciplinary (e.g. financial analyst, market research, big data and machine learning engineer) and complementary to all business school majors resulting in high average salary, fast growth and expansive career advancement. The proposed BA Minor is based on our current Masters in Business Analytics curriculum. We have also reviewed BA Minors from Florida State University (FSU), Ohio State University (OSU), Florida International University (FIU), University of Minnesota (UMN) and University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The Minor consists of the following areas of disciplines: statistics, database, programming, business analytics and predictive and descriptive analytics. We have also partnered with the Finance and Marketing Departments.
Intent Calendar
Interim Policy 6-407: General Student Fees
Associate Vice President for Budget & Planning Mark Winter presented the following:
The University of Utah General Student Fee Policy is being revised to comply with the Board of Regents Policy. The significant changes are the following:
- Changes the role of chairperson for the General Student Fee Board to one of the student members (currently it states the AVP for Budget & Planning chairs the board)
- Changes the final approver for the general student fee process to the University Board of Trustees (currently our policy states the president of the university provides the final approval)
- Adds a requirement to do a full review by the student fee board and Board of Trustees once every five years (this is a new requirement)
- Adds a provision stating that the student fee board should specifically consider whether or not they recommend any existing fees should be terminated and moved to tuition (new to our policy)
Debate Calendar
Center for Reproductive and Sexual Health Access, Science, Coverage, Equity, iNnovation and Training (ASCENT)
David Turok, M.D., MPH, and Sarah Elliott presented the following:
The Center for Reproductive and Sexual Health Access, Science, Coverage, Equity, iNnovation and Training (ASCENT) will be housed within the Division of Family Planning in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The ASCENT Center advances sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice through research, policy and education.
The center supports and promotes proactive sexual and reproductive health policy and service provision and acts as a regional resource on sexual and reproductive health in the Mountain West by focusing on expanding and improving local contraceptive access and sexual and reproductive health equity.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
David P. Steinberg, M.D., MMM, presented the following:
The autonomous Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) now meets criteria for a full University of Utah department status within the School of Medicine. The division has achieved national recognition as a leading academic program with success in clinical care, education, and research. Now residing in the new Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital, the PM&R program has achieved great progress with over 30% growth in clinical productivity, exceptional patient experience scores, strong growth in our graduate medical education and post-doctoral training programs, and expansion of successful investigation efforts. We are uniquely positioned for continued success with growing collaborations with university partners including engineering, computer sciences, School of Nursing and the College of Health. Department status will enhance PM&R’s national stature without any detrimental impact on other university entities. We have strong support within the School of Medicine and across the university for this advancement.
Information and Recommendations Calendar
Graduate Council Seven-Year Reviews
Katharine Ullman, associate dean of the Graduate School, presented the following:
College of Nursing Ph.D. and Gerontology Programs
These degree programs are leaders in delivering online education, with the Gerontology Interdisciplinary Program receiving recognition by the Academy of Gerontology in Higher Education. Improvements to research development and support, including the Emma Eccles Jones Nursing Research Center, have resulted in increased grant funding over the past review period. Many initiatives are underway, including in recruiting and retaining diverse faculty and students.
Eccles School of Business School-wide Programs
The David Eccles School of Business has seen a period of substantial growth in both enrollment and program offerings. Efforts to improve student experience and investment in infrastructure were both commended, and the Eccles School has received national attention for its initiatives. Prioritizing faculty hiring and retention was highlighted among the recommendations. Efforts to increase diversity among both faculty and students were also emphasized.
Department of City & Metropolitan Planning
Many new faculty joined the department during the last review period, including a new chair, and contribute to an atmosphere of collegiality and accountability, as well as a record of scholarship. CMP has created and improved programs, including an undergraduate degree program offered on the U’s Asia Campus. Reviewers note that the Master of City and Metropolitan Planning program is unique in this region and prepares its graduates for a career that is in high demand. While growth of this program seems strategic, further discussion with upper administration is required to ensure that resources are available to help initiate this growth, as well as to address the need for improved facilities.
Department of Health, Kinesiology and Recreation
HKR trains a large number of students (over 1000 undergraduates and typically over 100 graduate students). They also serve the whole University through Exercise and Sport Science Fitness classes and through U EXPLORE courses. While this review was in progress, HKR has divided into two departments, Health and Kinesiology (HK) and Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (PRT). Many strengths of their programs were highlighted, but both new departments are adversely affected by limitations in financial resources and infrastructure that require ongoing planning with administration.
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Change
Catherine Ortega, PT, EdD, ATC, OCS, onsite program director, DPT Expansion St. George, presented the following:
The Department of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training is proposing to develop an extended campus of the University of Utah in St. George, Utah. This expansion of an additional 18 students is to address the death of physical therapists (PTs) in southern Utah and the surrounding region. This reflects the state of Utah desire to increase the health professional education options for local students and develop a more diversified local healthcare workforce. St. George is central to an area with not only a growing geriatric population but a rural history of under-served populations.
The Utah Medical Education Council estimates the current active PT workforce provides a ratio of 56.0 PTs/100,000 Utahns which is below the national average of 64.8 per 100,000. There is a need, there is funding from the legislature, and this highly ranked DPT program with a strong reputation of eminently qualified faculty, can meet this need through this expansion program.
Proposed Guideline 1-012B University Non-discrimination Policy
Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Director Sherrie Hayashi and Associate Director Jess Morrison presented the following:
This guideline is intended to clarify certain aspects of Policy 1-012, University Non-Discrimination Policy, and its attendant rules related to procedure advisors (“advisors”) and support persons. The guideline does not change the definitions of advisors and support persons, but rather provides clarity and direction on which individuals may appropriate act as Advisors and Support Persons during the university’s investigative or hearing process. Importantly, the guideline limits managers and supervisors from acting as advisors and support persons.