A host of new degree program additions were approved Thursday at the Southern Arkansas University Board of Trustees meeting at the Donald W. Reynolds Center.
Among the academic proposals passed was a change in name of the “College of Science and Technology” to the “College of Science and Engineering.”
“The change to the ‘College of Science and Engineering’ reflects the recent developments in this College,” said SAU Provost Dr. Trey Berry to the Board. Berry was referring to the exciting new engineering program at SAU that is starting in Fall 2014.
With students already enrolling in this new program, the College of Science and Engineering is expected to continue to grow on its record Fall 2013 enrollment.
Berry also applauded the work of the SAU faculty, chairs and deans for closely examining the market and making degree program changes to attract students and provide for the region.
The College of Business has several new programs being established for the fall, including an entrepreneurship major and minor, supply chain management added to the MBA program, and information systems. The B.B.A. in finance will also now have three tracks – entrepreneurial finance, finance planning and financial analysis.
Other SAU program additions include the following: a writing minor, a certificate of completion for teaching with technology, a minor for digital photo and film, an agriculture industries minor, a computer science computer technology option, and a Master of Science in Computer Information Science option for cyber security and information assurance.
In other business, the Board approved a continuation of the ban of firearms on the SAU System, SAU-Magnolia and SAU Tech in Camden, in accordance with Act 226 of the 89th General Assembly. SAU President Dr. David Rankin was also given the option by the Board to consider committee recommendations on amending the SAU out-of-state waiver policy in light of SAU’s continued efforts to broaden its reach.
Also approved by the Board were the upcoming years’ appointment changes for this governing body. William “Bill” Stringfellow will be moving from Secretary to Chairman of the Board, O.A. “Buddy” Franks, Jr. will be moving to Vice Chairman, and William Steve Keith will be moving to Secretary.
