The Stampede

Numerous academic approvals and policy changes occurred at Tuesday’s faculty meeting.

One of the major issues, according to Academic Dean Mark Matson, were the changes made to the faculty handbook concerning the harassment policy. The newly revised policy now includes guidelines for faculty and student relations.

“It has always been geared only for fellow employees,” Matson said. “I wanted to tighten up the language of it. That meant a huge look at the language and federal laws.”

The harassment policy, referring to harassment based on race, color, sex, age, nationality or disability, is now worded to include students in the rules against certain types of harassment by faculty, especially sexual. Matson said students should not have to feel pressured around a professor, especially if a grade is on the line.

Revisions to academic areas were also approved by the faculty. A new child life major will be added to the catalog to prepare students to be child life specialists. The Bachelor of Arts degree, modeled after the public leadership and service major, requires 40 hours of academic credit and 480 hours of work under the supervision of a child care specialist.

According to the new program proposal, child life specialists “are prepared professionals with expertise in helping children and their families overcome life’s most challenging events. Child life specialists are experts in child development, who promote effective coping through play, preparation, education and self-expression.”

The child life major at Milligan would place more focus on health care, coordinating with Milligan’s relationship with Mountain States Health Alliance and utilizing the new Niswonger Children’s Hospital. Students who complete this degree would have to take an exam to gain certification as a child life specialist.

In addition to the new child life major, the faculty approved the women’s studies minor as well as the certificate in leadership and a new certificate in computer information studies.

“It’s (the CIS certificate) essentially the same thing as the major, but for people who don’t want to get a degree,” Matson said.

Matson said the decision to offer this certificate was prompted by the new computer resources available for those wishing to receive a CIS major from Milligan from a remote location. For someone who would like to acquire the skills gained from taking CIS classes but do not necessarily wish to receive a degree, the certificate will allow for verification that a student has gained the proficiency needed.

Another revision to an academic minor was also approved by the faculty. In the communications department, the journalism minor and broadcasting minor will be combined into one multimedia journalism minor much like the journalism and broadcasting majors.

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