Joseph Metz, associate professor of German and of comparative literary and cultural studies (CLCS), answered questions about the proposal to restructure and change the name of the department’s CLCS major and minor to World Languages and Cultures (WLC) major and minor. The proposed restructured degree will include new emphases, increase student access to the program and provide a path to the B.A. for formerly minors-only sections in the department.

Jason Hunt, M.D., the interim chief in the Division of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery proposed to advance the Division of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, currently in the Department of Surgery, to the “Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery."

The Division of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery has achieved a level of success in education, research and clinical care to justify full departmental status. The program is now larger than the median size of academic otolaryngology groups providing care over a broad range of the otolaryngology discipline. The faculty oversee highly competitive training programs for residency and sub-specialty fellowships.

Department status is now recognized as a national standard for Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery with 85% of U.S. medical programs designating otolaryngology as a department.

This transition will improve the recruitment and retention of trainees/faculty to further elevate the status and its national reputation. It is a recognition of the success of the program in addition to providing a pathway for further success.

Melonie B. Murray, associate dean for faculty and academic affairs in the College of Fine Arts presented the proposed revisions to update the charter to reflect current practices, including further defining the purpose and duties of the council, clarifying membership details, and updating information regarding standing committees. The CFA’s College Charter was last updated in 2016.

The Senate Advisory Committee on Academic Policy updated everyone on the following:

The replacement of gender-specific pronouns in University Regulations is now complete. For more information about these changes, please see academic-senate.utah.edu/reports-resolutions.

Many thanks to Trina Rich, director of University & Academic Affairs Policy Administration in the Office for Faculty and Allyson Hicks, director of University Regulations for their time, expertise and dedication to make this happen.

The Senate Advisory Committee on Academic Policy encourages Senators to work with their individual departments and colleges on similar efforts. For help with how to make these types of changes, please reach out to Allyson Hicks at allyson.hicks@utah.edu.