The Concordian

A religious studies commission has been assembled by Jeff Yeager, Student Government Association president.  Professors could potentially teach religious studies courses in University Point.

 “The purpose will be to develop a proposal for religious studies to submit to the faculty senate,” Yeager said.  “Students need to have a use for [University Point].  Faculty need to have a use for it, too.  They really have no use for that building right now, except alumni.”

The religious studies commission will meet next week in order to select a chairperson, as well as review the current policies and make changes if necessary.  The next step will be to poll students, both current and prospective, to gauge interest in religious studies.  Yeager plans on working with Kent Gamble, director of enrollment, to poll prospective students.  The commission will assemble again to decide the direction of the courses. 

Yeager says there may be budget issues, so the commission will look for grants to fund the program.  He says the commission will meet about once every two weeks and the proposal should be complete by the end of the year.

After the proposal is complete, it will be submitted to the faculty senate, then the academic planning committee, who will approve it or send it back for revision.  If it passes, it will be sent to President Greg Aloia.  If these courses are offered as an academic major, it will be necessary for state legislators to approve the courses.

He is currently the only student who is a part of the commission, but he will be a non-voting member.

 “The faculty takes seriously their voting power to develop programs.  It’s really not a student’s place to try to develop the program, but we can offer help or insight.  That’s what I’m doing – offering some insight,” Yeager said. 

For this program to be developed by the faculty only, commission meetings will be held in a closed-setting. 

This commission is currently comprised of six faculty members, but Yeager says he hopes to receive feedback from others.  Current members include Dr. Joseph Manzione, Dr. Thomas McKenna, Dr. Douglas Creer, Dr. Cory Williams, Dr. Anita Reynolds, and Dr. Gabriel Rieger. 

The only division without representation on this commission is the business division.  Yeager says he is “more than willing to expand the committee to more faculty members” if they are interested in serving.

Faculty members serving on this commission were hand-selected by President Yeager due to their previous experience in courses dealing with religious material or their interest in the development of this program. 

Yeager said Dr. Williams has taught a course on religious-speaking, Dr. McKenna has taught history of world religions, and Dr. Creer has taught science and religion.  Yeager wanted to “open the communications” between the departments for the design of the religious studies program to include more than just social sciences.

 “When I asked these professors, they had no qualms about it.  They said, ‘Yes, definitely, we’ve been wondering why it hasn’t been discussed over the past year or so.’”

 “This commission is a kind of symposium for ideas,” Yeager said.  He formed this group as a “commission” instead of a committee within the SGA because if it had have been a committee, a student would have chaired.  A commission also has more freedom to be conceptual.  “For a program that is composed mostly of faculty, I think it was more appropriate.”

“I’m definitely enthusiastic about it.  Of all the things I’d like to accomplish this year, this is what I want most.  It’s a great way to see faculty and students merge.”

Yeager says anyone who has an interest in these courses should contact him at sga@concord.edu or yeagerj13@concord.edu. 

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