Organizational Changes, New Degrees Move ASU's Polytechnic Campus Forward

June 23, 2006

MESA, Ariz. -- Organizational shifts are happening swiftly at ASU's Polytechnic campus. During the last three months, the Arizona Board of Regents approved several changes that will continue the forward momentum of transforming Arizona State University's Polytechnic campus into the premier polytechnic institution in Arizona.<separator></separator>Here's what's being implemented:<separator></separator><ul><li>the name of the College of Technology and Applied Science changes to the College of Technology and Innovation where all the engineering, technology, math and science related programs will be aligned;</li><li>the Applied Biological Sciences unit moves from School of Applied Arts & Sciences to the College of Technology and Innovation; </li><li>the Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology is now the Electronic Systems Department;</li><li>the name of the Morrison School of Agribusiness and Resource Management changes to the Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness; and </li><li>the Business Administration and Real Estate programs move from East College to the Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness.</li></ul> "The alignment changes in the College of Technology and Innovation will enhance the science degree programs and will bring them into closer coordination with our existing programs in engineering and technology," says Albert McHenry, interim vice president of ASU and provost of the Polytechnic campus. "The resulting synchronization will improve their ability to accommodate the special demands placed on these subjects in our dynamic polytechnic academic environment."<separator></separator>These changes are just the beginning of several that are part of the five-year academic plan for the Polytechnic campus. A major part of the proposal includes the movement of incubator programs from School of Applied Arts & Sciences to other units and the creation of new schools or colleges from more mature programs.<separator></separator>In January 2006, the education program at the campus emerged as the School of Educational Innovation and Teacher Preparation in School of Applied Arts & Sciences. For other programs, like applied biological sciences, business and real estate programs, it was more appropriate to merge them with existing units.<separator></separator>"Now that the Business Administration and Real Estate programs are established, the realignment of the similar programs under one school makes sense," says Raymond Marquardt, dean of the Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness. "The name continues to recognize the contributions the Morrison family has made to the Polytechnic campus and clearly identifies the programs offered. And, for more than five years, the faculty members in the Morrison School have taught a number of courses for the Business Administration program, so familiarity on both sides exists."<separator></separator>In addition to the name change, Marquardt is stepping down as dean and ASU Associate Professor Paul Patterson has been named as interim dean, effective July 1.<separator></separator>The regents also approved two new bachelor's degree programs at its June meeting. A program tailored for students wanting to be air traffic controllers, called Air Traffic Management, will reside in the Department of Aeronautical Management Technology in the College of Technology and Innovation. A bachelor's in History and Culture will reside in School of Applied Arts & Sciences for now.<separator></separator>The new degrees, changes to the academic unit names and movement of programs are effective July 1, 2006.<separator></separator>For information, visit <a href="http://www.poly.asu.edu/">www.poly.asu.edu</a>.