University announces new director for Western
Vic Brotzman
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Front Page
Though the journey has been a long one, Miami University's Western College Program (WCP) will soon be an integrated part of the College of Arts and Science.
Karen Schilling, dean of the College of Arts and Science, advanced the proposal of the new program by announcing Mary Jean Corbett as interim director of the program.
An English professor at Miami, Corbett will be tasked with guiding the WCP as it makes its transition from an independent program to a divisional one. Schilling said Corbett was ultimately selected for the role due to her past experience.
"She has a breadth of experience with interdisciplinary work," Schilling said. "She's a distinguished scholar."
The announcement moves along the proposal for the new WCP-submitted in January by a committee of Miami professors from different departments-closer to its implementation. Schilling said that the new WCP is scheduled to open in fall 2009.
Currently, the courses that will make up the program and the professors who will teach them are being identified.
Originally the Western College for Women, Miami University purchased the neighboring campus in 1974. It remained the home of Miami's Interdisciplinary Studies students until 2006, when the change from an independent program was first announced.
Zoology professor Chris Myers co-chaired the committee that submitted the proposal, along with journalism professor Richard Campbell.
Myers said that according to the recommendations of the proposal, the new WCP will still contain many of the old program's features.
According to the proposal, students will still have the ability to "create their own major." Additionally, students will live in the program's Living Learning Community in Peabody Hall for at least one year. Myers said feedback gathered from many different sources called for the close-knit living environment to still be a part of the program.
"The Living Learning Community was a core value that was repeatedly emphasized by current and former students," Hall said. "It seems it was a very highly valued aspect."
Additionally, the program will actively recruit into "underrepresented populations," including minorities. Myers said this was another important aspect of the program, as it promotes a diverse environment.
"It's always been a goal of the program to have as diverse as possible a student body," Myers said. "That doesn't happen if you don't focus on it."
Schilling said she felt the committee had put together a proposal that will satisfy most, if not all, of the interested parties.
"I think the committee worked very hard, explored a lot of issues, talked to a lot of people," she said. "We're moving forward with a program we're all going to be very pleased with."
Karen Schilling, dean of the College of Arts and Science, advanced the proposal of the new program by announcing Mary Jean Corbett as interim director of the program.
An English professor at Miami, Corbett will be tasked with guiding the WCP as it makes its transition from an independent program to a divisional one. Schilling said Corbett was ultimately selected for the role due to her past experience.
"She has a breadth of experience with interdisciplinary work," Schilling said. "She's a distinguished scholar."
The announcement moves along the proposal for the new WCP-submitted in January by a committee of Miami professors from different departments-closer to its implementation. Schilling said that the new WCP is scheduled to open in fall 2009.
Currently, the courses that will make up the program and the professors who will teach them are being identified.
Originally the Western College for Women, Miami University purchased the neighboring campus in 1974. It remained the home of Miami's Interdisciplinary Studies students until 2006, when the change from an independent program was first announced.
Zoology professor Chris Myers co-chaired the committee that submitted the proposal, along with journalism professor Richard Campbell.
Myers said that according to the recommendations of the proposal, the new WCP will still contain many of the old program's features.
According to the proposal, students will still have the ability to "create their own major." Additionally, students will live in the program's Living Learning Community in Peabody Hall for at least one year. Myers said feedback gathered from many different sources called for the close-knit living environment to still be a part of the program.
"The Living Learning Community was a core value that was repeatedly emphasized by current and former students," Hall said. "It seems it was a very highly valued aspect."
Additionally, the program will actively recruit into "underrepresented populations," including minorities. Myers said this was another important aspect of the program, as it promotes a diverse environment.
"It's always been a goal of the program to have as diverse as possible a student body," Myers said. "That doesn't happen if you don't focus on it."
Schilling said she felt the committee had put together a proposal that will satisfy most, if not all, of the interested parties.
"I think the committee worked very hard, explored a lot of issues, talked to a lot of people," she said. "We're moving forward with a program we're all going to be very pleased with."
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