by Tom Galaraga
Staff Writer
For better synchronization with the state of California and other universities, the Undergraduate Academic Policies Committee (UGAP) voted unanimously to change the name of the diversified major to liberal studies major.
The change which is to take place immediately, will affect current undergraduates, and offer them the title of liberal studies major, regardless of the diversified major title on their senior contracts. Previous graduates retain their titles of diversified major.
“The change of name is necessary for marketing purposes, but will not affect the current curriculum,” said George Keeler, chair of UGAP.
“ULV is the only institution in Southern California that doesn’t call our subject matter preparation program ‘Liberal Studies’,” Lisa Porter, director of the diversified major, program said.
With ULV’s off-campus sites now offering the diversified major, there is confusion between the University and prospective students interested in a liberal studies major. Questions concerning course curriculum and intentions of the diversified major often turned students away.
This change in the program’s label will eliminate the confusion between ULV’s diversified major and other institutions’ comparable liberal studies major.
The idea was originally proposed by Tom McGuire, Lisa Porter and Peggy Redman. The change will clarify the subject matter preparation program for the Multiple Subject teaching credential, for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) staff. The intentions were to align ULV with a curriculum that the CCTC could easily recognize as a teacher preparation program.
“I think it’s needed if we’re out of step with what other institutions are doing and with what the state recognizes as a catch word,” Keeler said. “It is a wonderful clarifying step that is taking place.”
The suggested name change has been supported by John Gingrich, the dean of the college of arts and sciences, the Diversified Major Committee and the UGAP committee. It was then proposed to faculty assembly where it was approved.
“This is an opportune time to change the name of the major due to the fact that we will be re-submitting our program to the state this year for fulfillment of new state requirements,” Porter said.
With UGAP voting unanimously to make the change effective immediately, the change can also meet the deadline for additions to next year’s school catalog.
The change will also meet the desired start times for off-campus sites planning on offering the diversified major.
The change of names was a result from previous confusion experienced at ULV’s main campus and off campus sites. However the change will not affect current diversified majors other than offering a more clear and concise title for them to market.
