Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1986 [PAGE 515]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

504

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[March 13

LAWRENCE W. TOWNER, president and librarian of the Newberry Library, Chicago — the degree of Doctor of Letters. The chancellor concurs in the recommendations of the senate. I recommend approval.

On motion of Mrs. Day, these degrees were authorized as recommended.

Establishment, Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Photography, Urbana

(10) The Urbana-Champaign Senate has approved the establishment of a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Program in Photography, effective August 1986. The proposed B.F.A. in Photography will be the first in the State of Illinois. T h e photography program has existed as an important part of the School of Art and Design for more than twenty years; and over the last several years, there has been increased interest and demand for an undergraduate degree program. T h e number of students enrolled in photography courses is consistently high: 75 to 100 students taking the more-advanced photography courses, with over 100 registered each semester in beginning courses. The photography program has grown in size and sophistication — providing courses, facilities, and equipment that far surpass many schools wheh presently offer baccalaureate degrees in photography. The faculty, which has grown to four internationally known artists, is of the highest quality. Students need a total of 122 hours to graduate and must maintain a 4.0 grade-point average in photography courses and a 3.5 cumulative GPA to continue in the program. The curriculum in photography incorporates a strong background in history, theory, and practice of photography, including 24 required hours and a minimum of 6 hours of elective credit in photography courses. There are no budgetary or staff implications associated with the establishment of this degree. The chancellor at Urbana-Champaign and the vice president for academic affairs recommend approval. The University Senates Conference has indicated that no further senate jurisdiction is involved. I concur, subject to further action by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

On motion of Mrs. Day, this recommendation was approved.

Establishment, Department of Nuclear Engineering, Urbana

(11) T h e Urbana-Champaign Senate has approved the establishment of a Department of Nuclear Engineering in the College of Engineering. There has been an interdisciplinary program in nuclear engineering since 1958, providing opportunities for advanced professional study and research in nuclear energy. Degrees were first offered in nuclear engineering at the master's and doctoral levels, and a bachelor's degree program was added in 1975. Since the beginning of the program, 151 doctoral degrees, 483 master's degrees, and 160 bachelor's degrees have been granted. Changing the status of nuclear engineering from that of an interdisciplinary program to that of a department will provide focus and visibility for nuclear engineering as a separate engineering discipline. This status has already been accorded to nuclear engineering in major engineering colleges throughout the United States. The faculty believes that its competitive position for both attracting graduate students and recruiting new faculty would be enhanced by forming a department out of the current program. T h e faculty of the Nuclear Engineering Program will become the faculty of the department. The administrative structure of the department will be established in accordance with the University of Illinois Statutes and the bylaws of the College of Engineering. The current level of funding, $1,862,036 from all funding sources,