UMM Environmental Programs

This all looks very promising. My main concern is placing this under the Dean like FYS. I feel that programs like FYS do not get enough supervision or support. The frequent change of directors in FYS does not provide the consistency that we need to take us to the next level in terms of quality. I fear that the same would happen with the Environmental program.

I feel that in some sense, the Dean may have a conflict of interest. Should s/he allocate more resources/supervision to this program than to a divisional program? It seems to me it would be a no-win situation.

But I think this represent great progress. Keep it up!

Andy Lopez

I'd like to respectfully suggest that the section of resources include a consideration of informational resources as well as personnel and physical resources. The library currently includes a modest amount of monographs and print journals to support Environmental Studies as well as a number of online databases and full-text journals. Troy has been helpful in making suggestions for purchases and other faculty members have contributed in this regard as well. It probably won't be a surprise to read that the library is lobbying for the fiscal resources to add more. We try to provide subject specific databases to support all majors where we can, and this would be important for Environmental Studies as well. To do this, additional financial resources are essential. We're encouraged by a conversation with the Chancellor on this topic and any suggestions from others at UMM for titles or for realizing additional financial support would be very welcome. LeAnn

The proposal says:

The Environmental Studies area of concentration has existed at UMM for some time (formalized in 2005), and eight students have graduated from UMM with that degree ...

Please change the word "degree" to major. The degree is a Bachelor of Arts.

I'm really excited to see that this proposal has gotten so far. The draft looks good, I don't really have anything to say but good luck and I hope to see this become a 'legitimate' major. As a student, I know it would really benefit me by having this come through.

While I do not have much to say in regards to the specific content of the proposal, I would also like to voice my support for the creation of Environmental Studies as an official major. It speaks to our dedication to being an environmentally responsible establishment. It's about time!

I would like to also voice my support for this recent proposal. As a Biology / Environmental Studies (area of concentration) major, I think it would be very beneficial towards UMM, being as though we are a Green Campus. It only makes sense that an environmentally consious campus would have an environmental major!

It would be so great to see this major. So many great job openings in the field...green buildings, green energy, nonprofit organizations, etc. I think Environmental Imagination (Vicki Graham's course) should be included, because it is one of the best classes on this campus and the more science minded students might really enjoy the readings.

I think that the curriculum looks really good in comparison to the previously approved Environmental Studies area of concentration. I especially like the addition of physical geology to the core courses, as well as the geology classes in the electives suggested. I also think that Bio 1052 (Intro to Conservation Biology) would be a nice addition to the science electives section.

I think that the Environmental Studies major proposal looks good except that I think there should be more science courses in it. You can't understand policy if you don't know how the science behind it works. Also, classes such as Engl 2601 have no place in this major. I don't see how they are relevant or how they would help a student when they get to the real world. Add more math, science and political science and I think this major will be perfect.

In the previous post, the class should be Engl 2106, not 2601