The Keene State College Senate met for the first time this academic year on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 4 p.m. in the Mountain View Room to discuss various matters, such as changes to campus programs and Senate documents.

The meeting involved a lengthy discussion surrounding a language change to the Senate Curriculum Committee (SCC) bylaws.

The previous language in the bylaws stated that the committee reviews proposals for curriculum changes that cross school lines, but Senator Nicholas Germana said this is not how the SCC has been operating for quite a while.

He said the SCC reviews all curriculum changes, and he proposed to change the language in the bylaws to reflect that.

The motion was unanimously carried and will be implemented immediately.

In speaking about college programs, a member of the College Senate brought up the idea of inviting the Dean of the School of Sciences and Social Sciences Dr. Gordon Leversee to speak with the Senate Executive Committee about what’s happening for the future of the geology program for “transparency-sake.”

One member brought up the question of whether the Senate should play an advisory role about a program that’s possibly being eliminated.

Provost William Seigh said in conversations with athletic training faculty members and the deans in professional and graduate studies that effective Oct. 5, the athletic training program is under administrative review and there will be no admission to the program beginning in fall of 2018.

The reason for the review is because of changing accreditation requirements that now require a master’s degree option.

Seigh said having a master’s option would increase standards, require additional faculty and also require additional space.

Because of this, the hold was placed.

The meeting adjourned at 5:07 p.m..

Jessica Ricard can be contacted at jricard@kscequinox.com