The Eastern Council on Academic Affairs met via Blackboard Collaborate Thursdsay afternoon.

There were three items to be acted upon on the agenda. The first was the removal of a minor, the second was a revision to a major and the third was a new course.

Christopher Laingen, a geography professor, presented the proposal to remove the Rural Studies from Eastern.

The proposal stated:

“In an effort to streamline offerings for students to make choices easier, it is proposed to remove Rural Studies as an option for a minor.  This minor is interdisciplinary, with course offerings from Geology/Geography, Sociology/Anthropology/Criminology, Economics, English, History, Human Services and Political Science.”

The proposal also stated that only four students have participated in the program over the last 10 years. The proposal was passed unanimously.

The second action item on the agenda was a revision to the Clinical Laboratory Science Major.

The requested change stated:

“Remove CHM 2430/35 (Survey of Organic Chemistry/Lab) and CHM 3300 (Survey of Biochemistry) as well as CHM 2730 (Quantitative Analysis)  from the list of chemistry /biochemistry course options in the Clinical Laboratory Science major.”

This proposal was also unanimously passed.

The final action item was a proposal for a new course in the Department of Public Health.

The course, PUBH 3050 Cultural Diversity in Health, is a three credit course that is set to begin next semester.

The course catalog on the proposal said:

“This course uses a historical perspective to explore multicultural models and beliefs of health, illness, and treatments or therapies. The intent is to deepen the students’ understanding of the scientific, sociocultural, philosophical, psychological, and spiritual foundations of conventional and unconventional healing systems and the various approaches to prevention, health promotion, healing, and maintenance of well-being.  We will view this from cultures within the United States.”

The proposal was unanimously passed.

There were also discussion items on the agenda. The council spoke about a proposed bylaw change to more properly define hybrid delivery for classes, the possibility of moving to a plus/minus grading scale and possible changes to grade appeal committees. CAA is scheduled to meet again Nov. 19.

Adam Tumino can be reached at 581-2812 or ajtumino@eiu.edu.