The University Senate of
PROPOSAL 08-07
(Voting Units: Academic Departments)
Departmental Name Change from
Department of Fine Arts
To
Department of Visual and Performing Arts
Proposal:
Change the name of the Department of
Fine Arts to the Department of Visual and Performing Arts.
Rationale:
The Department of Fine Arts includes
music, visual arts, theatre, and dance, with majors in sound design, audio
production, and theatre and entertainment technology. "Fine Arts" is a vague term which
at other universities often refers to visual arts only.
Furthermore, the term "Fine
Arts" does not make clear the areas of study available to prospective
students. The faculty of the Department
of Fine Arts find that prospective students and others looking for information
on academic programs prefer more exact language which makes clearer the areas
of study available. The name change to
Department of Visual and Performing Arts matches the academic and artistic
activities of the faculty, staff, programs, and areas of study.
Also, the terminology, "the visual
and performing arts," is commonly used to name departments similar to ours
across the nation.
Introduced in Senate: 25 October 2006
Adopted by the Senate: 8 November 2006
Approved by Administration: 16 November 2006