Regents Reaffirm 10-Year Vision, Approve New Graduate Programs

by Larry D. Brumley

Following the July 23 regents meeting, Board Chairman Will D. Davis and Baylor President Robert B. Sloan Jr. answered questions from the media. 

The Baylor University Board of Regents on Friday unanimously reaffirmed its commitment to Baylor 2012, the university's bold 10-year vision, and approved new graduate programs in exercise, nutrition and preventive health; theological studies; and engineering.
At the conclusion of the summer retreat meeting, the board released the following resolution:
"The Regents of Baylor University reaffirm our commitment to Vision 2012, and recognize the positive impact it has made to our campus and in the lives of our students."
Beginning in fall 2004, the department of health, human performance and recreation in Baylor's School of Education will offer a doctor of philosophy program in exercise, nutrition and preventive health, one of the first such multidisciplinary doctoral programs in the United States. The program will be built upon the international reputation of the Exercise and Sports Nutrition Lab (ESNL) that relocated to Baylor in summer 2002 and Baylor's Center for Exercise, Nutrition and Preventive Health Research. The new doctoral program will provide a strong research and statistics core, as well as clinical rotations in nine other academic areas, to develop health science researchers who can conduct large-scale multidisciplinary studies in settings, such as universities, medical schools, health organizations, governmental agencies and private industry.
Regents also approved a master of theological studies degree (M.T.S.) at George W. Truett Theological Seminary. The two-year graduate program will provide a basic foundation in biblical and theological disciplines, while allowing students to combine theological studies with other Baylor graduate degrees in social work, music, education, business administration and law.
Baylor's department of engineering will begin offering eight joint bachelor's/master's degree programs in fall 2004. The programs, approved by regents, include:
• B.S./M.S. in electrical and computer engineering,
• B.S. in electrical and computer engineering/M.S. in biomedical engineering,
• B.S. in electrical and computer engineering/Master of engineering,
• B.S./M.S. in mechanical engineering,
• B.S. in mechanical engineering/M.S. in biomedical engineering,
• B.S. in mechanical engineering/Master of mechanical engineering,
• B.S. in engineering/ M.S. in biomedical engineering,
• B.S. in engineering/Master of engineering.
The board also reviewed final construction costs for the Dutton Avenue parking and office facility, East Campus parking facility, Mayborn Museum Complex, North Village Residential Community, and Baylor Sciences Building. The projects collectively came in more than $2 million below budget.