Undergraduate Council Academic Programs Subcommittee Meeting

December 9, 2003

Members Present: Ara Arabyan, Bonnie Barber (Co-chair), Sandra Beeler, Cindy Rankin (Co-chair), Wayne Decker, Carol Evans, Denise Roe, Lesley Bailey as proxy for Paul Burkhardt

Members Absent: Byron Bissell, Paul Burkhardt, David Tansik

Guest: Jeff Silvertooth – Department Head, Soil, Water, and Environmental Science, Paul Kohn – Assistant Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Dave Cox - Senior Associate to the Provost

Bonnie Barber called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. A quorum was present.

Motion made by C. Rankin, seconded by A. Arabyan, to approved the minutes of November 4^th; motion passed.

Discussion of a proposed new program – B.S. in Crop Production

B. Barber introduced Jeff Silvertooth, Department Head, Soil, Water, and Environmental Science who will respond to questions the subcommittee has concerning the program proposal.

J. Silvertooth discussed high points of the proposed crop production proposal:

This is an applied integrated agronomy program focusing on a combination of crop and soil science.

Crop and soil science along with crop and plant science currently exist but neither program integrates the science aspect such as entomology, plant pathology, and economics. This is based on physical sciences.

The program will fulfill a need for the crop production community; employment opportunities abound.

This is an interdepartmental program between Plant Sciences and Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences with the full backing of both faculties and the college.

Resources currently exist and fulfill the principles of Focused Excellence.

This is both a marketable and functional program.

The Crop Production emphasis in Plant Sciences will be ended. The Soil and Water Science program has ended because of low productivity.

If agronomy is a combination of crop and soil sciences why not call it agronomy instead of crop production? (C. Rankin)

This is a recommendation based on marketing principles that the program would be more readily identifiable because of the crop production name. Most important regional crops are vegetables. This name identifies with the broad spectrum of agricultural interests in the state and region. (J. Silvertooth)

Planning for program outcomes needs a little more information. Can you explain about the contact with employers and industry professionals and the subset of students who will be assessed using the national licensure process?

There is a great demand for graduates who can fulfill industrial demands. We need feedback about how our graduates are actually performing on the job. Licensure is needed in many of the areas such as pest control advising. There is also professional certification in field agronomy. (J. Silvertooth)

If this is a “science” degree, will courses in historical and ethical environmental issues be included and at what level? (L. Bailey)

Yes, there will be elective courses including risk and environmental assessment. A new course in environmental risk assessment is currently being developed for the junior level. (J. Silvertooth)

It is very important that undergraduate students have an understanding about what they do for a living. How will this program give undergraduates students the needed focus? (L. Bailey)

Plant Science 306 gives the history of crop production, defines it, and how it is done now and historically. This includes not just regional but national information. It gives context to where we were, where we are now and possible future demands. (J. Silvertooth)

Is there any activity focusing on Sonora, Mexico? (D. Roe)

Yes, two courses focus on the region and we currently have former students employed in Mexico and Mexican students enrolled here in agricultural programs. (J. Silvertooth)

Your projected enrollments are based on government figures and student inquiry; can you explain?

The projected enrollments are estimates. We do have some students in a holding pattern waiting for the program to be approved. In come cases students in academic programs in California and Arizona Western have no place to move to after completing the local programs. We have a $3000.00 grant for recruiting right now. We are ready to move forward as soon as the program is approved. (J. Silvertooth)

What other institutions will be in competition for students? (A. Arabyan)

California and New Mexico have programs. New Mexico has the best and we are currently losing students to the New Mexico state program.

Motion made by W. Decker and seconded by C. Rankin to approve the proposed new B.S. in Crop Production program; passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 P.M

Respectfully submitted by Sandra Beeler