Executive Committee Minutes

01/28/2026 03:30 PM - Peabody Board Room, Administration Building
View Related Documents Online The University Council Executive Committee met on January 28, 2026, in the Peabody Board Room. A quorum being present, Chair Derrick Lemons called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
 
Standing Committee chairs and guests in attendance to present and answer questions concerning agenda items included Susan Sanchez of the University Curriculum Committee; Barbara Biesecker of the Committee on Statutes, Bylaws, and Committees; and Dr. Anna Abraham from the Mary Frances Early College of Education.
 
Other guests to the meeting included Daniela Di lorio, Gaylen Edwards, Fred Maier, Scott Noakes, Laurie Reisema, Marni Shindelman, and Elizabeth Weeks.
 
  1. As the first order of business, a motion was made by Daniel Johnson that was seconded by Susan Sanchez to approve the minutes of the November 5, 2025, meeting. A vote was called, and the minutes were approved.
  2. Action Items:
    1. Proposals from the University Curriculum Committee
      1. Proposal for a Minor in Forensic Science. A vote was called, and the proposal was unanimously approved to be placed on the February 11, 2026, University Council agenda.
      2. Proposal for a Minor in Scientific Diving. A vote was called, and the proposal was unanimously approved to be placed on the February 11, 2026, University Council agenda. 
      3. Proposal for an Undergraduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence – Language, Minds, and Machines. A vote was called, and the proposal was unanimously approved to be placed on the February 11, 2026, University Council agenda.
      4. Proposal for an Undergraduate Certificate in Health Humanities: Health, Arts, and Society. A vote was called, and the proposal was unanimously approved to be placed on the February 11, 2026, University Council agenda.
      5. Proposal for an Undergraduate Certificate in Industrial Bioscience Skills. A vote was called, and the proposal was unanimously approved to be placed on the February 11, 2026, University Council agenda.
      6. Proposal to change the degree designation for the following majors in the Mary Frances Early College of Education from Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) to Bachelor of Science (B.S.). A vote was called, and the proposal was unanimously approved to be placed on the February 11, 2026, University Council agenda:
        • Communication Sciences and Disorders
        • Exercise and Sport Science 
        • Sport Management
      7. Proposal to deactivate the Minor in Biomedical Physiology. A vote was called, and the proposal was unanimously approved to be placed on the February 11, 2026, University Council agenda.
  3. Information Items:
    1. From the Committee on Statutes, Bylaws, and Committees:
      1. Second Reading: Proposed changes to the Bylaws of the Information Technology Committee. This will appear as an action item on the February 11, 2026, University Council agenda.
      2. Second Reading: Proposed change to the University Council Bylaws: Part II: Basic Charge to Standing Committees. This will appear as an action item on the February 11, 2026, University Council agenda.
      3. Second Reading: Proposed changes to the University Council Bylaws: Membership of University Council Standing Committees. This will appear as an action item on the February 11, 2026, University Council agenda.
    2. From the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost:
      1. Renaming of the Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development. This will appear as an information item on the February 11, 2026, University Council agenda.
  4. There was no old business to come before the committee.
  5. There was no new business to come before the committee.
 
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:38 p.m.
 
Respectfully submitted,
 
Fiona Liken, Registrar
Secretary to University Council
 
 
Executive Committee Members
Scott Ainsworth
Mumbi Anderson (absent)
Benjamin Ayers
Neil Bendle
John Brocato
Bob Capuozzo (absent)
Nathan Chapman
Michael Cotterell
Laurel Dunn
Lisa Fusillo
Janette Hill
Lauren Housley
Daniel Johnson
Tom Jones
Derrick Lemons
Fiona Liken
Kyser Lough
Rebecca Mayo  
Amy Medlock
Emerson Moon (absent)  
John Neely (absent)
David Okech  
Jason Peake  
Jennifer Rice
Susan Sanchez
Esra Santesso (absent)
Brian Seagraves
Charles Van Rees (absent)

Voting Record of January 28, 2026, Meeting