Two committees have been established by Barry Rabe, interim dean of the School of Natural Resources and Environment (SNRE), and Shirley Neuman, dean of LS&A, as the next step in a proposal to create a new concentration in environmental sciences/studies to be jointly operated by LS&A and SNRE.
The Curriculum Implementation Committee has been asked to consider academic issues including a core curriculum, a process for course development and approval, the role of graduate students in teaching, ways to create a central role for field studies and internships, and the transition of students from existing programs into the new joint degree program.
Committee members are: John Knott, professor of English language and literature, chair; Catherine Badgley, associate research scientist in geological sciences and lecturer, Museum of Paleontology and the Residential College; James Diana, professor and associate dean, SNRE; Sandra Gregerman, director of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, LS&A; Gloria Helfand, associate professor, SNRE; Elizabeth Hill, student services assistant, SNRE; Jonathan Kazmierski, graduate student in SNRE; Bobbi Low, professor, SNRE; Stephen Salant, professor of economics; James Teeri, professor of biology and director of the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and the U-M Biological Station; Ben van der Pluijm, professor of geological sciences and director of the Global Change Project; and Paul Webb, professor of biology and of natural resources.
The Governance and Structure Committee has been asked to look at creation of a joint governance process that features strong faculty leadership and diverse input from faculty, staff and students; reporting mechanisms and processes for reviewing program performance; best uses of the renovated Dana Building and related University facilities and properties; and links to related U-M units.
Co-chairs are James Diana and Bob Owen, associate dean for undergraduate education in LS&A. Other members are: Knott; Marie Logan, assistant to the dean of SNRE; Patti Myers Kardia, interim director of academic services, SNRE; Peggy Norgren, assistant dean for planning and operations, LS&A; and Esrold Nurse, assistant dean for student academic affairs, LS&A.
The committees have been asked to issue their reports to Deans Neuman and Rabe by April 30. Both units will begin a full review of the recommendations in fall 2001.