The last senate meeting saw the approval of a certificate and the introduction of three new possible programs for Stan State. This week’s meeting saw the approval of those three programs. In addition to this, the senate introduce some potential programs.
Both the Women’s Studies minor and the Sexuality Studies Minor made their way back to the Senate floor as a second-reading item.
The Sexuality Studies minor intends to build on the strength of the already existing Gender Studies majors by expanding opportunities for students to examine how sexuality shapes and is shaped by social, cultural and political forces.
No comments or talks about the minor were made by senators when asked if they had any concerns or comments. The lack of concern from the senators sent these new minors straight to a vote.
Ultimately, the Sexuality Studies minor passed.
Following the passing of this minor, the Women’s Studies minor was brought to the floor for its second reading.
This minor intends to provide students with the foundation of understanding the lives, work and leadership of women across history and of multiple cultures.
Again, no concerns or opposition were raised against the minor. Besides Senator Elaine Peterson (Economics department) pointing out a typo she found in a files name that were shared with senators regarding the minor.
Speaker of the Faculty, Araya Alami, called for a friendly resolution to fix the typo and called for voting to begin on the minor.
The Women’s Studies minor received enough votes to ultimately pass.
Alami exclaimed her excitement at both of these minors passing.
The third item to be brought back to the floor as a second reading item was the Speech, Language & Hearing Science concentration.
This concentration will be included in the Bachelor of Science in Health Science program.
The concentration intends to provide a pathway for community college students who have their Associate of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology assistant and current undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career as speech-language pathologists.
UEPC Chair Andrew Dorsey spoke out about the concentration and concerns surrounding it.
“I just thought that everyone should be aware that some concerns were raised following our last senate meeting regarding the SHLS concentration,” Chair Dorsey said.
With concerns being about course approvals, learning outcome alignment, online delivery and faculty capacity.
Senator Koni Stone came out in support of this concentration, believing it is a very much needed program.
“Here we have yet another very much needed program in this area for our students to be eligible for a master’s program so that they can become speech pathologists that we very much need in our schools,” Senator Stone said.
The concentration passed at the end.
The first new reading item at today’s meeting was for a potential Biotechnology Certificate. This certificate program is designed to provide students with the skills and preparation needed to enter and advance in the biotechnology workforce.
“Designed to provide students with technical skills needed to enter the biotech force,” Dorsey said. “Median Salary 68,372 with 20% above the regional average income.”
Senator Tricia Van Laar believes that this certificate is achievable as the school has the space, infrastructure and courses.
Statewide Senator Marina Gerson also came out in support of this certificate and appreciates the fact that it is a certificate, as for it allows for more flexibility for students who have graduated already to come back and complete this.
“Really appreciate this being a certificate program,” Senator Gerson said.
The last and final reading item for the meeting was for a Literature concentration for the Bachelor of Arts in English.
This concentration intends to allow students to have a more flexible and customizable pathway towards a degree that supports their career aspirations.
With Chair Dorsey saying that this will allow the English major to become more interactive, and we can see changes as soon as fall 2026.
“Fall 2026, on approval of the President and Chancellor’s office,” he said. “We are gonna become an even more interactive major.”
Senator Dana Nakano came out in support of this potential concentration, due to her love of literature.
Contributors to this article: Kaihli Miner-Hill
