JMU may create center for engineering

JMU could develop a center for engineering and could found a specialized law school in the coming decade. The Department of Admissions also will adjust to accommodate a newly revised SAT I exam.

Doug Brown, senior vice president of academic advancement, told the Education and Student Life committee of the Board of Visitors that JMU could address changing needs in the engineering field by starting a cross-disciplinary center. Brown said JMU’s strong integrated science and technology, math and science, and business programs would fill employers’ needs for "an engineer, not a geek."

Should JMU decide to pursue a law school program, the most productive approach would be starting with a specific area of expertise, Brown said.

Brown added that JMU could easily specialize in public policy.

JMU also will continue to meet the changing needs of the workforce.

"In the past 10 years, at least 75 percent of our programs have changed," Brown said. Changing needs also have caused an increasing length of the undergraduate experience, resulting in a "hybrid undergraduate and graduate programs," he added.

Brown said that 40 to 50 percent of majors are in highly specialized, professional areas, like health technology.

"As we look forward to a university that expands, we have to be targeted in how we develop majors and communicate that to students," Brown said.

Daniel Wubah, special assistant to the president, said JMU will not consider the writing section of the new SAT I exam during the admission process. Only the critical thinking and math sections will be used.

Linda Cabe Halpern, dean of general education, will evaluate the effectiveness of the writing section in the next five years to determine whether JMU should use the new writing section.

Susan Wheeler, vice president of academic affairs, asked the committee to recommend changes to the faculty handbook.

"The old version talks about privileges," Wheeler said. "The new version talks about rights."

Most changes involved a faculty member’s freedom to criticize the university while protecting against malicious acts.

"I like the university," said Ken Zimmerman, speaker of the Faculty Senate. "I want it to change. I want it to be better."

Wheeler said, "Faculty misconduct is dealt with extensively" in the handbook.

The faculty handbook committee also asked the Board to remove a procedural requirement to notify faculty of their elevation to tenure by a specific date.

The committee moved the handful of changes to the Board, which approved the changes.