Today’s academic senate saw more talks about StanBooks and the approval of a new certificate, all while introducing three new possible programs to the floor.
FBAC Chair John Brandt gave an update on the survey pertaining to StanBooks.
“The textbook survey was sent to all faculty and students last week,” Brandt said. “It’s been extended a couple of days. It’s open until the 19th now.”
The StanBooks survey has been extended due to low turnout. With only 10% of faculty responding and only 1.9% of students responding. Students and faculty can participate in the survey here.
During CFA’s report, CFA President Dave Colnic brought to attention the senator of sister union, Teamsters, who are going on strike next week. The strike comes as they believe the CSU is not honoring or sticking to their contracts.
“The strike is next week 17th to 20th, I urge you all to avoid campus,” Colnic said.
The Pre-Clinical Lab Science Certificate made its way back to the senate floor as a second reading item.
“It is designed to provide students with foundational knowledge and lab skills necessary to obtain the California Clinical Laboratory Science Trainee License,” said UEPC Chair Andrew Dorsey.
This certificate ultimately ended up moving to a vote and passed.
After the passing of this new certificate, three new potential programs were introduced to the floor as first reading items.
Dorsey introduced a new Sexuality Studies minor. This minor is proposed to build on the strengths of the existing Gender Studies major by expanding opportunities for students to critically examine how sexuality shapes and is shaped by social, cultural and political forces.
“Building on the existing Gender Studies major,” he said.
This minor received support from multiple senators. “I strongly support this proposed minor,” Senator Bret Carroll said.
“I really wish there were more offerings like this when I went to college,” Brandt said. “I strongly support this”.
The second program to be introduced to the floor was the Women’s Studies minor, which intends to provide students with the foundation for understanding the lives, work and leadership of women across history and diverse cultures.
“[It] critically assess how women have navigated and continued to challenge structures of power,” Dorsey said.
Senator Bret Carroll also shared his support for this minor as well.
“I strongly support this,” he said. “My support for this minor is as strong and enthusiastic as the one proposed before.”
The third and final program brought to the floor was for a Speech, Language & Hearing Science concentration.
This concentration will be within the Bachelors of Science Health Science program.
It will create a structured and intentional pathway for community college students who have their Associates of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology assistant and current undergraduate students interested in pursuing careers as speech-language pathologists.
This concentration can take effect as soon as Fall 2026 after senate vote and approval of the chancellor’s office as well as from the president.
“These changes will take effect Fall 2026,” Dorsey said.
Senator Perea-Ryan from the nursing department shared her excitement for this concentration.
“I am excited to bring this concentration to Stan State,” Perea-Ryan said.
Contributors to this article: Kaihli Miner-Hill and Emaan Nawabi
