Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1974 [PAGE 260]

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250

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[April 18

of those disciplines (such as fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, applied mathematics, etc.) which are necessary for conducting fruitful research in the broad field of the atmospheric sciences, along with advanced work in an area of specialization. In the future, skilled scientific personnel will be required to deal with atmospheric problems. Research in improving weather prediction, in studying and implementing weather modification procedures, and for understanding and alleviating air pollution that may be causing catastrophic climate changes on both local and global scales must be undertaken. These are needs that will expand in the foreseeable future as evidenced by recent international strategy conferences on these problems. The proposed program is designed to provide skilled scientists with sound knowledge of the theory of atmospheric behavior along with an insight to the nature of applied problems. It also will strengthen and coordinate other efforts related to atmospheric sciences that are now being pursued by several groups on campus. The resources needed for this program would increase from the present level of approximately $100,000 in State funds and $250,000 in federal funds by increments of approximately $25,000 per year in State funds and $40,000 i>er year in federal funds for the next four years and then remain level except for inflationary increases normally incurred in any program. The Chancellor at the Urbana-Champaign campus and the Vice President for Academic Development and Coordination concur in the recommendation. The University Senates Conference has advised that no other Senate action is required. I recommend approval, subject to further action by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

On motion of Mr. Swain, this recommendation was approved.

ESTABLISHMENT O F DEPARTMENT OF LINGUISTICS, CHICAGO CIRCLE

(16) The College of Libera! Arts and Sciences at the Chicago Circle campus, with the concurrence of the Senate, has recommended that a Department of Linguistics be established within the College and that the existing master's degree program in this field (now offered through the Department of English) be administered by the new department, effective September 1, 1973. In addition to the master's degree program, the proposed department will offer elective courses in linguistics for undergraduates and will be responsible for offering limited course work in certain of the traditionally "minor" languages — that is, those which do not warrant the formation of a separate department and do not logically belong in existing language departments. These would include colloquial (Lebanese) Arabic, Chinese, Swahili, Hungarian, and other languages of interest to Chicago's large and diverse ethnic communities. Other functions to be performed by the proposed Department of Linguistics will include (a) the operation of the existing phonetics laboratory which is used for both teaching and research by faculty and students; (b) the development of special courses and teaching techniques to serve those students who come t o t h e "University with the need for an improved command of "standard" American English; (c) the generation of theoretical studies on varieties of native American speech as a foundation for pedagogical research and practice; and (d) the teaching of English as a second language. This recommended recombination of existing programs does not involve any request for additional resources. If a Department were to be established, existing faculty members in the field of linguistics, who are currently housed in a variety of departments, would be transferred with their budget lines to the new unit, along with appropriate secretarial and other support. Thus the budgetary aspects would behandled as a wholly Internal matter within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The Chancellor at the Chicago Circle campus and the Vice President for Academic Development and Coordination concur in this recommendation. The University Senates Conference has indicated that no further Senate jurisdiction is involved. I recommend approval, subject to further action by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

On motion of Mr. Hahn, this recommendation was approved.