The University Senate of Michigan Technological University

Proposal 40-11
(Voting Units: Academic)

Departmental Name Change from

Department of Exercise Science, Health and Physical Education

To

Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology

Proposal:

Change the name of the Department of Exercise Science, Health and Physical Education to the Department of Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology.

Rationale:

In April 2006, Michigan Technological University’s Department of Physical Education officially became the Department of Exercise Science, Health and Physical Education. Over the past 5 years, the department has transformed into an academic unit fully engaged in teaching, research, and scholarship. The department currently has over 130 undergraduate students, as well as 8 graduate students (officially enrolled in the Biological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, or Human Factors graduate programs). The department has secured external funding from the National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association in the field of integrative physiology, with both faculty and graduate students recently being recognized with national research awards from the American Physiological Society.

The department aims to strengthen its growing reputation in the field of integrative physiology without compromising the undergraduate degree programs, our physical education/co-curricular mission, or disenfranchising faculty involved in other critical areas of research (i.e., human biomechanics and motor control/learning). Kinesiology by definition is the “study of human movement”, and encompasses our undergraduate curriculum, the research domains of human biomechanics and motor control/learning, and our physical activity/co-curricular mission. Moreover, a recent article in Kinesiology Today (Winter 2011, Volume 4, Issue 1) titled “Slowly But Surely ‘Kinesiology’ Gains Foothold As Departmental Title” demonstrates the relevance of the proposed departmental name at a national level (http://www.americankinesiology.org/kinesiology-today).

The departmental faculty propose ‘Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology’ as it best represents the curriculum and scholarly activities of our department, and will best position us to continue recruiting “world-class and diverse faculty, staff, and students” and participate in “world-class research and scholarship” (primary goals of the Michigan Tech Strategic Plan). While the term Kinesiology encompasses our co-curricular mission, the department desires to also keep the term ‘Physical Education’ affiliated with the department. Moreover, Intramural and Recreational Sports Services are part of our department. As such, we propose a formal Division of Physical Education and Intramural Sports within the department. This does not require additional administrative oversight and/or resources; it simply allows these vital activities increased visibility within our dynamic departmental structure.

Introduction to Senate: 6 April 2011
Adopted by Senate: 20 April 2011
Approved by Administration: 27 April 2011