Indiana State University Newsroom

As Indiana State University continues to expand its programs to prepare future health care providers, changes are in the works for the college housing those programs.

The university's Board of Trustees today approved renaming the College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services to the College of Health and Human Services, effective July 1. Concurrent with that change, a School of Nursing will be established within the college to continue Indiana State's more than 50-year history of nurse education.

"This name change eliminates redundancy and aligns Indiana State with other peer institutions that house a school of nursing within a college structure," said Jack Maynard, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The new name is a logical step in the evolution of the college, which was established in 2007 by combining the former College of Nursing and College of Health and Human Performance, Maynard noted.

"In recent years, the college has launched several new programs in nursing, physician assistant studies, occupational therapy, social work and other allied health fields, all with the goal of addressing the needs of medically underserved communities. Inter-professional education is at the heart of these programs and faculty and staff throughout the college will continue that commitment," Maynard said.

"I am thrilled to see the formation of a School of Nursing and the renaming of the College," said Jack Turman, dean of the College of Nursing, Health, and Human Services. "This is vital to the growth and development of these important education and outreach programs. It is important for faculty development, student recruitment, and external relations. This is an important step in the transformation of our college into a regional and national leader in health and social services education, research and outreach."

Lea Hall, who has been directing nursing programs at Indiana State for nearly three years, will continue to serve as executive director in the new School of Nursing. In that capacity, she will oversee all nursing education programs and the Sycamore Nursing Center.

"This is very exciting news for the future of nursing education at Indiana State as we continue to build on our more than half-century of excellence," Hall said. "Our continuing goals are to enhance advanced practice nursing programs that address chronic health conditions, expand continuing education to meet the needs of professional colleagues and engage students in innovative learning opportunities to empower them to be the nurse leaders of tomorrow."

Also on Friday, trustees approved a new Master of Science program in genetic counseling. This new program is an interdisciplinary program that will include courses from biology, psychology, philosophy and counseling. The majority of the curriculum will be delivered through the department of biology. This program must also be approved by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.

"Genetic counseling is evolving as one of the most important medical programs of the post genomic era," Maynard said. "This program will prepare graduates to help patients comprehend complex information related to the genetics of their diseases and associated risks. It will be a vital addition to our healthcare education offerings."

In other action, Indiana State trustees:

• Approved parking permit fees for 2015-16 that reflect increases of between $1 and $4 per year

• Approved a schedule of laboratory and course-specific fees effective with the fall semester

• Approved honorary doctor of humanities degrees for 1961 graduate Eston "Bud" Perry and his wife, Alice "Annie" Perry, longtime philanthropic supporters of the university through their family-operated organization, the Oakley Foundation

• Approved changes to the Faculty Constitution that had previously been approved by the Faculty Senate and University faculty members

• Learned 2016-17 and 2017-18 academic calendars will provide for fall classes to start one week later than in the past, spring classes to begin the Tuesday after Martin Luther King Day, restore a one-day fall break in October while maintaining a weeklong Thanksgiving break and providing three weeks between Thanksgiving break and the end of the fall semester.

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