College and program anniversaries, participation in online Student Instructional Rating System, or SIRS, forms and the overall changing face of the university were major topics discussed at Tuesday’s Academic Council meeting.
President Lou Anna K. Simon congratulated various university programs on their historic achievements, commenting on the College of Veterinary Medicine’s centennial, the School of Journalism’s centennial, the Department of Family Medicine’s 35th anniversary, the African Studies Center’s 50th anniversary and the College of Nursing’s 60th anniversary.
“There are lots of anniversaries for us to reflect on our history and many contributions that Michigan State has made not only in the state, but around the world,” Simon said.
After conducting a study last summer on student participation in online SIRS forms, the University Committee on Academic Policy, or UCAP, posted a summary of its findings online, said John Powell, chairperson for the Executive Committee of Academic Council.
UCAP will continue its study this fall with a broader spectrum of courses and will have further analysis by the end of the semester, Powell said.
MSU Provost Kim Wilcox gave a presentation on changing dynamics at MSU, addressing student and faculty demographics,funding and university policies.
Wilcox noted changes in the increasing number of students of color at the university as well as increases in the academic credentials of freshmen classes throughout the last 30 years.
Although the university community continues to grow in terms of students, Wilcox said the faculty-student ratio at MSU has continued to improve.
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