The Curricular Policy Committee has reviewed proposals 3-02 and 4-02, i.e., elimination of the AAS Degree Program in Forest Technology and the Minerals Process Engineering Option degree program. We recommend to reject these proposals and to replace proposal 4-02 with a new proposal.

REG.: PROPOSAL 3-02, ELIMINATION OF THE AAS DEGREE PROGRAM IN FOREST TECHNOLOGY

The elimination of the AAS Degree Program in Forest Technology degree program would have irreversible negative effects on the MTU curriculum. There are two primary losses the university curriculum would suffer from this elimination:

a) The Forest Technology program appeals to students who flourish in a hands-on learning environment. It thereby prepares students for jobs in industrial forestry, and also provides them with a foundation for further studies and research in the School of Forestry. Most students who enter this program would not find other MTU programs acceptable and would most likely leave MTU. The elimination of this program would not only be a loss of potential revenue, but also have a negative impact on the university's over-all academic quality and intellectual diversity. The opportunities for graduate studies and research would also be lost.

b) There is strong mutual support between the Forest Technology program and the School of Forestry. The Forest Technology program is a source of students for the B.S. Degree in Forestry program. Termination of the Forest Technology program would thus negatively impact the School of Forestry.

Rather than supporting the elimination of this program, the Curricular Policy Committee recommends that the University should

1) further strengthen the cooperation between the Schools of Technology and Forestry through official implementation of the current 2+2 ½ year transfer program agreement, and establish of a 2+2 program, perhaps in Forest Technology or Forest Science.

2) strengthen the efforts to increase the visibility of technology programs. The job prospects for graduates seem to be very promising. However, current students and graduates from this program pointed out to the committee that they only became aware of this program after they decided to no longer pursue their original majors in other colleges. Prospective students who visited the campus were sent only to the School of Forestry by the admission office because some personnel were not aware of the Forest Technology program. Consequently, increasing visibility of this program may not only have positive impact on both recruitment and retention, but would also allow for growth of this program and thereby make it cost-effective.