The Iowa State Faculty Senate had their last meeting of the semester on May 13 in the Memorial Union Sun Room. The Senate approved a new major and minor, listened to Senior Vice President and Provost Jason Keith, and gave the green light to the Spring 2025 graduation list.
New Majors and Minors
The Faculty Senate made some big decisions at their recent meeting. They passed two bills to introduce a digital storytelling major and minor at Iowa State. This major will combine the Greenlee School of Journalism with the Department of Music and Theater. The Senate believes this new major will help students develop skills in media and performing arts to excel in content creation across digital platforms.
The minor will complement the major by providing essential digital storytelling skills to students. Additionally, the review of grad specializations was rejected by the Senate. This proposal aimed to limit the approval of graduate program specializations. Despite this, all other unfinished business was approved, including summer academic standards regulation and salary policies.
Shared Values Statement
The Senate also discussed a shared values statement brought forward by the American Association of University Professors. This statement urged the Faculty Senate to show solidarity in supporting the mission and values of higher education. Sen. Annemarie Butler voiced their support, emphasizing the importance of standing together during challenging times.
After a vote by secret ballot, the Senate decided to pass the resolution, joining 15 other faculty senates across the nation in endorsing the statement. This shows a unified front in upholding the values of higher education. Moving forward, the Senate plans to continue promoting these values throughout the academic community.
New Minors on Campus
In their previous meeting, the Senate introduced four new minors to cater to student interests. These minors include an art undergraduate minor for students looking to explore art without committing to a full major. Additionally, an art history undergraduate minor and a paleontology undergraduate minor were approved.
The Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Climate will lead the paleontology minor, incorporating contributions from various academic units. A photography undergraduate minor was also passed, showing strong student interest in the field. Furthermore, the Senate approved a bachelor of fine arts in illustration, recognizing the growing demand for diverse types of illustrations.
Looking Ahead
As the semester comes to a close, the Faculty Senate has set the stage for academic growth and innovation at Iowa State. With new majors, minors, and policies in place, the university is poised to offer students a diverse range of educational opportunities. The Senate’s commitment to upholding shared values and promoting higher education reflects a dedication to excellence in teaching and research. As they adjourn for the summer, the Senate looks forward to reconvening in September for another productive session.
