Pres. Ruud asked the Provost to explore the possibility of offering a Bachelor's of Applied Science degree.  It is one of his key priorities for this year.  His goal is to enhance our relationships with Iowa Community Colleges.  He believes we need to mitigate barriers for community college students to transfer to UNI.
In order to see if there might be interest in such a program from faculty and departments at UNI, the Provost set up an ad hoc committee in Spring 2014 to explore interest.  This committee did not come up with a framework for such a degree, however, but did find there was some interest from individual departments in pursuing this degree program.
The report of the ad hoc committee needs to be presented to the Faculty Senate, and based on the interest of some departments to pursue this degree program, I am wanting to petition the senate to adopt a framework for a BAS degree, to help provide some structure for the degree itself to help guide these departments in their curricular work.
More rationale for a BAS degree program appears below, adapted from Pres. Ruud's priorities statement:
A BAS degree program could serve the needs of working Iowans, address educational needs for place-bound Iowans in both rural and urban communities, enhance community college partnerships, provide for a better workforce (including advanced manufacturing), and strengthens skills available to business and industry within Iowa. In addition, the university could pursue programming and funding partnerships with business and industry in Iowa by engaging in such a degree program.
More than 540,000 Iowans (nearly 35% of the state’s population ages 25 – 64) have some college credit, but no Bachelor’s degree (Lumina Foundation). In cooperation with Iowa’s community colleges, the University of Northern Iowa could address gaps in Iowa’s educational attainment rates by providing a clear set of pathways to degree completion for individuals with some college, but less than a four-year degree. Options could include both campus-based and distance delivery. The BAS degree program in particular would be designed for students who hold an Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) or an Associate of Science (AS) degree from a community college. The program would build upon the knowledge gained in these degrees while providing knowledge and skills in applied leadership, communication and critical thinking skills. Outcomes may include greater earning power and opportunities of advancement for citizens throughout the state, enhanced community college and business and industry partnerships, a better prepared workforce (including the advanced manufacturing sector), and economic growth for the state.
 

Therefore, be it resolved that the UNI Faculty Senate appoint a committee to propose a workable structure for a BAS degree at UNI, made up of representatives from the Faculty Senate, LACC, UCC, departments who are interested in such a program, and Continuing Education.