Regents Approve Literacy Leadership Degree

Several curriculum changes, including the addition of a Doctor of Education Degree in Literacy Education, were approved Friday by Sam Houston State University's governing board.

The Texas State University System Board of Regents approved the changes during a regular quarterly meeting in San Angelo.

James F. Gaertner, SHSU president, told the regents that graduates with a literacy education doctorate would work in both public schools and community colleges. They would assist a growing, diverse population with marginal literacy skills, which places them at a high risk for failure.

Also approved was the addition of an online degree program leading to an Executive Master's Degree in Business Administration. There is an increasing need for executives skilled in financial risk management, commercial bank management, commercial bank lending, activity-based cost accounting, and institutional marketing, Gaertner said.

SHSU's current business administration master's program is more general in nature. The online feature of the new program is also expected to be popular.

Both the new doctorate and new MBA will be implemented by the 2005 fall semester if approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Other changes approved Friday include changing the name of the current Food Service Management Program to Hospitality Administration.

The current name indicates service to hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities, and cafeterias in public schools and higher education. The hospitality administration field also includes restaurants, hotels, resorts, country clubs and cruise ships.

In line with that change, the board also approved the offering of a certificate program in Hospitality, Nutrition and Food Service.

Other curriculum changes included increasing the number of hours for Master of Education and Master of Arts degrees in counseling from 36 to 48 hours, replacing the Master of Arts Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a Master of Science Degree in that field, and adding a major in dietetics. These changes will be effective in fall 2004.

The board also approved moving the photography program administratively from mass communication to the art department, with photography remaining in its current location in the Rather Communications Building.

In other business, the board accepted preliminary plans prepared by Huitt-Zollars, Inc. of Houston for the $2.4 million Visitor's Center.

The addition to the present Estill Building will be the first stop for campus visitors of many kinds, and will also house the SHSU Alumni Association.

The board also authorized the awarding of a contract for a new East Central Plant chiller, with an estimated cost up to $2.5 million, without full board approval to facilitate the planned construction schedule.

Also approved was the purchase of the Church of Christ Student Center for use by Residence Life, and the $55,000 demolition of the Gidley House, which is not being used because of its poor structural condition.

The board also approved increasing the Recreational Sports Fee from $48 per long semester and $24 per summer session to $75 and $37.50, beginning the 2004 fall semester. The increases, approved by a 934 to 422-student vote, will be used for expanded and improved recreational sports operations.

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SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
May 7, 2004
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