Actions Taken by the University Council During the Spring 2024 Semester
From Dr. Kenneth Lutchen, University Provost and Chief Academic Officer ad interim
The Boston University Council held four meetings during the spring 2024 semester on January 23, March 19, April 16, and May 4. At these meetings, the council voted to approve the following policies, also available on the University Council website (Kerberos protected):
- Graduate Student Dual Degree Policy – provides that graduate students may apply and be admitted to more than one degree program but only matriculate in more than one program if they are part of an approved dual degree as listed in the University Bulletin.
- Policy on Part-Time PhD Students Who Are Employed Outside Boston University – allows the enrollment of part-time PhD students under limited circumstances and following review by the associate provost for graduate affairs.
- Revision to BU Faculty Handbook Provisions on Suspension or Termination for Cause – removes the University’s Board of Trustees from the review process for termination or suspension cases, establishes a standing committee of faculty from which a hearing committee would be selected, and increases time limits for the process to help ensure compliance.
- Revision to BU Faculty Handbook Provisions on Promotion – implements a two-year waiting period before a full-time faculty member with a modified or unmodified title may reapply for a promotion that has been denied.
- Revised Boston University Postdoctoral Scholars Policy – brings the University’s existing Postdoctoral Scholars Policy in line with federal policy and establishes new best practices, including provisions around offer letters, appointment terms, required annual reviews, minimum salary requirements, and eligibility for annual pay increases and staff health benefits.
The council also voted during the spring 2024 semester to approve the following degree and certificate programs:
- Online Master of Science in Data Science (CDS)
- Graduate Certificate in Actuarial Foundations (MET)
- Graduate Certificate in Actuarial Science (MET)
- Graduate Certificate in Civic Science Communication (COM)
- Combined Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics & Statistics and Master of Science in Biostatistics (CAS)
- Combined Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Data Science (CDS)
- Bachelor’s-to-Master’s Program in Bioinformatics (CDS)
- Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Development and Master of Arts in Educational Policy Studies Combined Degree (Wheelock)
- Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Development and EdM in Applied Human Development Combined Degree (Wheelock)
- Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Development and EdM in TESOL Multilingual Learner Education Combined Degree (Wheelock)
- Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Development and EdM in TESOL & Applied Linguistics Combined Degree (Wheelock)
- PhD in Genetics & Genomics and Master of Science in Genetic Counseling Dual Degree Program (Chobanian & Avedisian)
- Internship in Special Care Dentistry (GSDM)
- Combined Bachelor of Arts in Archaeological & Environmental Sciences and Master of Arts in Archaeology (CAS)
- Combined Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts in Comparative Literature & Literary Translation (CAS)
- Combined Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts in Latin & Literary Translation (CAS)
- Combined Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts in Ancient Greek & Literary Translation (CAS)
- Combined Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts in German & Literary Translation (CAS)
- Combined Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts in Spanish & Literary Translation (CAS)
- Combined Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts in French Studies & Literary Translation (CAS)
- Combined Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts in Chinese & Literary Translation (CAS)
- Combined Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts in Japanese & Literary Translation (CAS)
- Graduate Certificate in Events Management (SHA)
- Master of Science in Finance (Questrom)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) – Part Time Program (Questrom)
- Internship in Orofacial Pain (GSDM)
- Master of Science in Dentistry in Dental Biomaterials (GSDM)
- Doctor of Science in Dentistry in Dental Biomaterials (GSDM)
President Freeman has concurred with these actions, which officially brings them into effect.
The council additionally received the Office of the Provost’s annual report on community and inclusion initiatives, which may be accessed on the University Council website (Kerberos protected).
We are grateful to the members of the University Council for their thoughtful and diligent work throughout the past semester.
Actions Taken by the University Council During the Spring 2024 Semester – 6.26.24