The Executive Committee of Academic Council discussed the possibility of reorganizing university departments during its Tuesday meeting.

A proposal to consolidate the sports medicine program to become a part of the radiology department was passed to Provost Lou Anna Simon for further action.

The committee opted not to direct the issue to academic governance committees because all the groups the change would affect have expressed support.

Officials in the sports medicine program contacted the radiology department to incorporate the two.

"People were very encouraging," Radiology Department Chair James Potchen said.

The committee also discussed a concern previously submitted by Grover Hudson, chair of the college advisory council for the College of Arts and Letters. Hudson was concerned about ongoing discussions in a liberal arts focus group that suggest similar changes.

Simon said the process of reorganizing the liberal arts programs will be open for any suggestions that result from focus group discussions.

Marcellette Williams, past chancellor and senior vice president for International Relations at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and retired MSU faculty member, plans to have a reorganization proposal completed by the end of the week.

Simon said the proposal will be made available to the public for comments, questions and concerns.

"I'm not without ideas, and I have thought about this," Simon said. "I understand the issues and symbols of colleges but also the role of departments and programs."

The committee also discussed possible accreditation with the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs. The committee suggested focus groups be created before making a decision for accreditation.

The association works to protect the rights and welfare of research participants with professional conduct when engaged in work with human participants.

The University Committee on Faculty Affairs had reviewed the procedure to review the ombudsman and informed the committee that the language was "comprehensive."

The University Committee on Student Affairs has yet to review the procedure.

The University Graduate Council recommended that the review process for the University Intellectual Integrity Officer be changed from a two years to five years.

The committee also decided to table action on a possible MSU endorsement with the Coalition On Intercollegiate Athletics.

The Jan. 20 Faculty Council meeting was canceled.