Meeting of the Board of Regents | July 2007

SUMMARY

Issue for Decision (Consent Agenda)

Should the Board of Regents authorize SUNY College of Technology at Alfred (Main Campus) to offer its first baccalaureate degree program in the discipline of Social Sciences?

Reason(s) for Consideration

             

              Required by State regulation.

             
Proposed Handling

This question will come before the Higher Education and Professional Practice Committee at its July 2007 meeting where it will be voted on and action taken.  It will then come before the full Board at its July 2007 meeting for final action.

Procedural History

The State University of New York has requested amendment of its master plan to authorize the State University of New York College of Technology at Alfred to offer a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Digital Media and Animation.  This action is required because this would be the College’s first baccalaureate degree program in the discipline of social sciences. 

Background Information

At is January 11, 2007 meeting, the State University Board of Trustees adopted a resolution to amend the State University Master Plan to authorize the SUNY College of Technology at Alfred (Main Campus) to offer instruction leading to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Digital Media and Animation. The College currently offers Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.), Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.), Associate in Occupational Studies (A.O.S.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) and Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) degrees.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program in Digital Media and Animation is designed to function as a two-plus-two or a four-year program.  One of the unique characteristics of this program is the immediacy with which students are exposed to high-end software used in the industry.  The students gain familiarity of the software as they acquire skills in other foundation courses.  The sequence of courses develops skills across the entire program of study. This facilitates an integration of skills acquired in core courses with an understanding of the many facets and specializations of the industry.  The intent is to provide community college graduates with an associate degree in computer media or animation related areas (i.e., Communication Graphics, Computer Art) an opportunity to earn a B.S. in a similar field. 

The SUNY College of Technology at Alfred’s Digital Media and Animation Bachelor of Science degree program will prepare graduates for a variety of skill-specific jobs within various areas of computer generated communication, such as texture design, modeling, visual effects, and concept development.  The breadth and depth of the Bachelor of Science degree program will provide graduates with the knowledge and skills to be capable and comfortable in roles as directors of animated productions as well as hands-on developers of computer generated communication media.  Graduates will also be prepared for post-baccalaureate or graduate work. 

Animation World Network listed 800 job postings where the graduates could gain employment.  Recently, a CBS segment on 60 Minutes highlighted the growing industry of Video Gaming.  The industry has already achieved a $35 billion dollar mark in world-wide sales.

Regionally, Fisher-Price Company has extended the opportunity for Digital Media and Animation students at SUNY College of Technology at Alfred to apply for internships with the company.  It should be noted, however, that computer generated imagery is a skill that allows the Digital Media and Animation graduate to become a freelance agent capable of working from any location, connecting regions such as the Southern Tier of New York State to the rest of the world. 

None of the colleges in the Central region of the State responded to the canvass for the program.  The Department has determined that the proposed program, if approved, would meet the standards for registration set forth in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Board of Regents approve the amendment to the master plan of the State University of New York authorizing the State University of New York College Technology at Alfred to offer the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Digital Media and Animation.  This amendment will be effective until June 30, 2008, unless the program is registered by the Department prior to that date, in which case master plan amendment shall be without term.

Timetable for Implementation

If the Board of Regents approves the master plan amendment, the Department will send it to the Governor for approval.  Upon gubernatorial approval, the Department will register the programs.