ASA committee approves multiple program proposals, honorary degrees and Charter Oak School of Education; actions forwarded to full board

At its March meeting the Board Committee on Academic and Student Affairs approved a slate of motions and voted to forward items to the full board, including new graduate programs, honorary-degree recommendations and a Charter Oak organizational change.

Votes and formal actions (committee level) - Honorary degrees (group motion): Committee approved the honorary-degree recommendations; one named honoree was former board chair Joanne Ryan (Northwest region recognition). Motion approved by voice vote and to be forwarded to the full Board.

- Southern: Master of Science in User Research and User Interface (UX/UI), 4+1 pathway Motion: Approve MS in User Research and User Interface for recommendation to the full Board. Discussion: Faculty described interdisciplinary curriculum, state workforce alignment, employer partnerships (NBC Universal, Telemundo, Inbox Hill), and a planned 4+1 pathway for undergraduates. Regents asked for future evaluation reporting. Outcome: Approved by committee (voice vote) and forwarded to full Board.

- Southern: Master of Science in Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management (CRM) Motion: Approve MS in Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management for recommendation to the full Board. Discussion: Extended discussion on local workforce demand, program design (dual-listed courses, internships), and sustainability amid federal funding uncertainty; Connecticut SHPO presented workforce vacancy data and salary ranges for supervisory CRM positions. Outcome: Approved by committee (voice vote) and forwarded to full Board.

- Central: Master of Science in Cybersecurity Motion: Approve MS in Cybersecurity for recommendation to the full Board. Discussion: Central described alignment with National Security Agency cyber designations, pathways for working professionals and accelerated entry for undergraduate students; regents asked about faculty capacity and recruitment competitiveness. Provost reported reallocated faculty lines and ongoing searches. Outcome: Approved by committee (voice vote) and forwarded to full Board.

- Charter Oak State College: Establishment of a School of Education Motion: Approve creation of a School of Education at Charter Oak State College. Discussion: Charter Oak and its provost described a focused recruitment strategy for teacher-shortage areas (initial emphasis on early childhood), planned admissions capacity and marketing and the addition of admissions support staff for education recruitments. Outcome: Approved by committee (voice vote).

- Central: Tenure recommendation Motion: Approve a tenure recommendation (student-wellness counselor) for forwarding to the full Board. Outcome: Approved by committee (voice vote) and forwarded to full Board.

Notes on voting Most committee approvals occurred by voice vote; the transcript records “Aye” and voice assent but does not record roll-call tallies or a named vote count. Where the transcript did not provide a roll-call tally, the committee outcome is recorded as “approved” and the motions were forwarded for full-board action where required.

Required follow-up and reporting requested by the committee Regents requested ongoing evaluation and periodic reporting (several presenters agreed to return with outcome data), including annual or biennial updates on new programs’ enrollment and job-placement outcomes. The committee also asked program proponents to return with evidence of meeting stated workforce and enrollment targets.