Eastern Michigan University’s Educational Committee held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the phasing out of two programs at EMU and to consider the authorization of three charter schools.
Associate provost and associate vice president for academic programming and services, Rhonda Longworth presented to the Educational Committee the phasing out of the master of sociology-family specialty program and the phasing out of the minor in Spanish literature.
Longworth said the reason for the phasing out of the master of sociology-family specialty program is that it is not sustainable.
With only three students remaining in the program, enrollment is not high enough to keep the program going.
The minor in Spanish literature is being replaced with a minor in Spanish literature and culture. This move seeks to broaden the learning experience associated with the program.
Director of EMU’s Charter Schools Office Malverne Winborne presented to the committee the subject of the charter schools.
Recommendations were made for the reissuance to Ann Arbor Learning Community for a four-year contract, which would expire June 30, 2017, Hope Academy for a three-year contract, which would expire June 30, 2016 and for Gaudior Academy with a two-year contract expiring June 30, 2015.
Although a recent report from the Education Policy Center at Michigan State University said that EMU-authorized charter schools are the second-worst performing in the state, Winborne remained confident.
“It is what it is,” Winborne said. “They will continue to bash us, and we will continue to ride the waves. It’s a fight because we are good.”
