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Saginaw Valley State University

May 11, 2020

SVSU Board approves new environmental science program, and confers degrees, including 400 headed to ‘front line’ professions

The Saginaw Valley State University Board of Control approved a new bachelor’s degree program in environmental science and conferred degrees to a graduating class that includes many individuals pursuing careers in professions on the front lines of protecting communities. The Board’s regular meeting was conducted via a live video conference available to the public Friday, May 8.

By adding a new degree program in environmental science, SVSU will build upon strong academic programs in biology, chemistry and geography. The U.S. Department of Labor forecasts 8% job growth in the field through 2028.

The Board also approved granting graduate and undergraduate degrees. Around 875 SVSU students are expected to complete degree requirements this May. SVSU is holding a virtual graduation celebration at 5 p.m. Friday, May 8. Information is available online at www.svsu.edu/2020.

Including those expected to complete degree requirements over the summer, more than 400 new SVSU graduates are completing degrees in fields that will place them in critical roles to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This total includes 72 students from SVSU’s nursing program who entered the health care workforce in recent weeks – before the official end of their final semester – in response to a State of Michigan executive order allowing graduating college students to quickly enter the field. Other examples include those graduating with degrees in criminal justice, health sciences, pre-medicine, public health, social work, and more.

In other action, the Board:

  • Elected officers for the 2020-21 academic year. John Kunitzer will continue to serve as chair, and Vicki Rupp will continue as vice chair. Bhushan Kulkarni and Dennis Durco also will remain in their roles as secretary and treasurer, respectively.
  • Passed a resolution thanking Hunter Koch, president, and the SVSU Student Association for their service during the 2019-20 academic year.
  • Reappointed the firm of Andrews Hooper Pavlik PLC to serve as financial auditors.
  • Approved the reauthorization of five public school academies: Chandler Park Academy, Charlevoix Montessori Academy for the Arts, Kingsbury Country Day School, Merritt Academy and Saginaw Preparatory Academy.
  • Approved the reauthorization of five public school academies: Chandler Park Academy, Charlevoix Montessori Academy for the Arts, Kingsbury Country Day School, Merritt Academy and Saginaw Preparatory Academy.
  • Modified the term of a previously authorized public school academy, Sigma Academy for Leadership and Early Middle College. The school is authorized for a three-year period, beginning in the fall of 2020.
  • Modified the term of a previously authorized public school academy, iLEAD Michigan. The school is authorized for a three-year period, beginning in the fall of 2021.