BOT approves changes in CLAS

At its July 30 meeting the U of I Board of Trustees approved the redesignation of all academic programs within UIS’ College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as departments.

CLAS Dean Margot Duley noted, "This change formally recognizes the professional status of the excellent faculty in the college, and facilitates more efficient operations as departmental chairs replace the old structure of rotating program convenors."

The Board also approved the redesignation of the Women's Studies Program to the Women and Gender Studies Department. Said Duley, "The program has long offered courses that emphasize issues of gender, and this name change will help student more easily identify where classes on gender and sexual minorities are located. The name change also puts the program more in line with similar programs across the country."

CLAS now comprises the following departments: African American Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Clinical Laboratory Science, Communication, Computer Science, English, History, Individual Option/Liberal Studies, Mathematical Sciences, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology/Anthropology, Visual Arts, and Women and Gender Studies.