November 2007
B.A. Women’s and Ethnic Studies
B.S. Biology
Dr. Pam Shockley-Zalabak, Chancellor
Dr. Tom Christensen, Dean
UCCS Planning Perspective
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Growth plan
Requesting 2 degrees
Cost-efficient, good demand
Competition with peer institutions
College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences
Bachelor’s Degrees
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Anthropology B.A.
Biology B.A.
Chemistry B.A. and B.S.
Communication B.A.
Economics B.A.
English B.A.
Geography and Environmental
Studies B.A.
 History B.A.
 Languages and Cultures
– Spanish B.A.
 Mathematics B.A. and B.S.
 Philosophy B.A.
 Physics and Energy Science B.S.
 Political Science B.A.
 Psychology B.A.
 Sociology B.A.
 Visual and Performing Arts B.A.
Note:
• degrees are in core subject areas
• B.S. degrees in Chemistry, Physics and Math
• first new undergraduate degree since
Communication B.A. over 20 years ago.
UCCS provides students with far fewer degree
options than our peer institutions.
B.A. Degrees at UCCS Peer Institutions
Number of Peer Institutions
9
Peer Average (41)
8
7
UCCS (24)
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
20
25
30
35
40
Number of B.A. degrees
45
50
55
These degree proposals have passed
a rigorous review process.
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Inclusion in campus academic strategic plan
Department/program development and review
Community Advisory Board review
College Curriculum Committee review
College Chairs and Directors Council review
Full vote of College Faculty
UCCS Academic Planning Committee review
UCCS Budget Advisory Committee review
UCCS Leadership Team review
CU Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Research review
CCHE Role and Mission review
Bachelor of Arts
in
Women’s and Ethnic Studies
Women’s Studies and Ethnic Studies are
widely accepted as disciplines on most
college campuses
 Relevant comparisons:
– 26 of 31 UCCS peer institutions have programs
within these areas
– 8 of 11 Colorado 4-year institutions have programs
within these areas
Our proposed degree unites Women’s and
Ethnic Studies to focus on the exciting
issues where these subjects intersect.
 Students
– receive a broad historical and cultural
understanding of these issues.
– explore the intersections that unite.
– advised into a general education track that adds in
a global understanding.
Additional Issues:
 Degree program helps UCCS respond to issues
raised by President’s Blue Ribbon
Commission on Diversity.
 Existing minors show good demand and rapid
growth (up 78% over 5 years).
 Cost of program is relatively small and should
be covered by anticipated enrollment gains
based on peer comparisons.
Bachelor of Science Degree
in
Biology
B.S. degree is preferred in Biology.
 CSU-Pueblo, CSU-Fort Collins, CU-Denver,
CU-Boulder all offer a B.S. degree.
 Survey of current UCCS Biology majors
indicated that 95% would prefer a B.S. degree
to our current B.A. degree.
 Local employers strongly support a B.S.
degree.
Biology at UCCS
is a high demand, high growth field.
 Approximately 520 majors (largest in college)
 69% growth over last 5 years.
 Minimal costs since most courses already in
place for B.A. degree.
Students will have track options within
the B.S. degree.
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Human Biology
Molecular, Cellular and Biotechnology
Environmental and Organismic
Exercise Science
Questions