The odds seem to be in favor of Lyman Briggs School becoming a college by its 40th anniversary this fall.
The proposed change was discussed Tuesday within MSU's Academic Governance at the Executive Committee for Academic Council, or ECAC, meeting.
"The provost's recommendation has been thoroughly vetted, and it appreciated the implications to these students, the alumni and the people who hold degrees from Lyman Briggs, which is relevant to all of us," said Jim Potchen, chairman of ECAC.
The committee voted unanimously to move the proposal to four standing committees within governance. The standing committees will review the school's status and report back to the ECAC at its April 3 meeting.
"Ultimately, (we hope) that the governance recommends to the Board of Trustees that the school return to college status," Lyman Briggs School's Director Elizabeth H. Simmons said Monday.
Potchen said he thinks it is possible for the proposal to move through the governance system this semester.
"In fact, I'm optimistic," he said. "I've heard of no substantial arguments in opposition."
Lyman Briggs School was originally created as a college in the 1960s, but in 1981 it was changed into a school within the College of Natural Sciences, Simmons said.
The main benefits of the school becoming a college would be increased recognition and better recruitment and retention of students, Potchen said.
"We want to do everything we can to increase the value of a degree from Michigan State University," he said. "And if this adds value to the graduates of that program, it's desirable to the university."
Mike Berkowitz, a Lyman Briggs School freshman, said the change could help students when applying to graduate school.
"When you apply to a graduate program, they see that you've taken Lyman Briggs classes and you're in the school," the zoology freshman said. "But they don't see it as the college, as opposed to James Madison — they're recognized nationally as a college."
Lyman Briggs is recognized on a state level, Berkowitz said, but he wants to see the school gain national recognition as well.
"It would be really awesome if we could be recognized nationally and kind of put us on the map," he said.
