Indiana State University Newsroom

Indiana State University trustees Friday approved restructuring of one of the university's largest academic departments. The action formalizes the move this fall of programs in family and consumer sciences from the College of Arts and Sciences to the College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services and the College of Technology.

"This action has been undertaken in order to create synergies between programs previously housed in family and consumer sciences and those in the academic units to which they are being moved. This restructuring will be mutually beneficial to students and to faculty," said Jack Maynard, ISU's provost and vice president for academic affairs. "This restructuring also places each of these programs in a stronger position to meet the needs of businesses that will employ graduates of the various programs. It is one more way the university is changing to meet the changing expectations of our students and of the state of Indiana."

The general program in family and consumer sciences, family and consumer sciences education, food and nutrition, and human development and family studies are now housed in the College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services. Two other programs are now in the College of Technology. Interior design is part of a new department of built environment while apparel merchandising is part of the department of human resources development and performance technologies.

Trustees also approved a new constitution for the Student Government Association that had been previously approved by students in a referendum. The new constitution is intended to clarify procedures, "improve the democratic spirit of the SGA, and more accurately reflect best practices of other student governments at major universities," said Stephen Flowers, SGA president.

The board tabled a revised tobacco policy that would provide for a $50 fine for violations. Trustees plan to consider the measure at their December 18 meeting. University President Dan Bradley said he and Diann McKee, vice president for business affairs and finance, will work in the interim on stepped up enforcement "using currently available techniques." Bradley said input from the campus community has been "overwhelmingly in favor" of the revision.

During his report to the board, Bradley said two university task forces will begin work soon. One panel will assess the campus' Greek system and recommend ways it can be improved. The other will evaluate student media, including the Indiana Statesman, radio station WISU and Sycamore Beat video, to determine how opportunities for students might be improved and connections to related academic programs strengthened.

Also on Friday, Indiana State trustees:
• Approved a revised staff salary schedule that ensures all eligible employees are compensated at a minimum of 85 percent of market pay as determined by a 2009 study by the human relations consulting firm Mercer, an increase from the current 80 percent.
• Approved a corrected 2010-11 calendar clarifying that winter break will begin on December 23.
• Heard an annual update from the campus Diversity Council, as required by Indiana law.

Media contact and writer: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu