THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:	Higher Education and Professional Practice Committee
FROM:	Johanna Duncan-Poitier
SUBJECT:	Davis College:  Master Plan Amendment to authorize  the College to offer a Bachelor’s of Religious Education (B.R.E.) degree program in Organizational Leadership
DATE:	December 19, 2006
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goals 2 and 4
AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

SUMMARY

 

Issue for Decision (Consent Agenda)

 

Should the Regents approve an amendment to the master plan of Davis College authorizing the College to offer a Bachelor of Religious Education (B.R.E.) degree program in Organizational Leadership?

 

Reason(s) for Consideration

           
            Required by State regulation.

           
Proposed Handling

 

This question will come before the Higher Education and Professional Practice Committee at its January 2007 meeting where it will be voted on and action taken.  It then will come before the full Board at its January 2007 meeting for final action.

 

Procedural History

 

Davis College submitted this proposal in April 2005 and the Department has determined that the program, if approved, would meet registration standards.    Master plan amendment is required because this will be the College’s first baccalaureate degree in the discipline of Business.

 

Background Information

 

Master plan amendment approval is needed to authorize Davis College to offer its first baccalaureate degree program in the discipline of Business.  The Board of Regents granted a provisional charter in 1993 to Practical Bible College.  In 1993 the College was authorized to offer the degrees of Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) and Bachelor of Religious Education (B.R.E.).  In 2004, the Regents approved the name change to Davis College.  The College offers programs in Counseling, Christian Ministries, Creative Arts in Worship and Ministry, International Studies, Pastoral Studies, Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), and Youth Ministries.  In the fall of 2005, 256 undergraduate students were enrolled.

 

The purpose of the proposed program in Organizational Leadership is to equip students to assume leadership and managerial roles within whatever organizations they will serve.  The integrated sequence of courses develops students’ understanding of Christian leadership and ethics.  The curriculum will enhance students’ competencies and skills in management, business, communication, interpersonal relationships, problem-solving, change implementation, and multicultural sensitivities.

 

The employment opportunities of graduates of Davis College will continue to be strong with enhanced opportunities for employment with larger churches as executive pastors, para-church organizations as leaders and managers, and service oriented agencies.  Davis College’s graduates will have opportunities for graduate work all across the country in this program of study. Faith-based colleges in New York State that offer master’s level degrees in this field include Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester and Nyack College in Nyack.

 

A review of the College’s finances found it in sound financial condition.

 

One institution, the State University of New York at Binghamton, responded to a canvass conducted of all the colleges and universities in the Central Region of New York State.  It expressed support for the program.

 

Recommendation

 

It is recommended that the Board of Regents approve a master plan amendment to authorize Davis College to offer its first baccalaureate degree program in the discipline of Business.  This amendment will be effective only until January 31, 2008, unless the Department registers the program prior to that date, in which case master plan amendment shall be without term.

 

Timetable for Implementation

 

If the Board approves this master plan amendment, the Department will register the program and the College will proceed to recruit and enroll students.