BGSU board approves new degree, facility renovations

University’s new Bachelor of Science in systems engineering will launch in the fall

Bowling Green State University continues to expand its degree offerings and renovate its facilities to meet the high-demand workforce needs of Ohio and the nation.

At its February meeting, the BGSU Board of Trustees approved the University’s new Bachelor of Science in systems engineering. The program will launch in the fall, and is the only one of its kind in northwest Ohio. It will offer students a holistic approach to design and improve complex systems in manufacturing, logistics, retail services and health care.

Trustees also gave the go ahead for the first steps in developing a nursing skills lab in the Business Administration Building once the College of Business moves into its new home in the Robert W. and Patricia A. Maurer Center. The skills lab will serve the growing number of BGSU nursing students and other students in the health sciences.

“As a public university, we have a special obligation to help meet the critical workforce needs of our state,” BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers said. “The new systems engineering program and our software engineering degree are responses to the demand for skilled professionals in the information technology industry and advanced manufacturing. And our new nursing skills lab will help us address the growing shortage of nurses.”

As the University prepares to welcome the third cohort of students under its Falcon Tuition Guarantee plan, the Board of Trustees set room and meal plan rates for the incoming freshman class. Under the plan, the rates remain unchanged for all four of their undergraduate years.

With the changes, BGSU remains the best value out of the 13 state public universities for room and board rates. Room rates will increase an average of 2.8 percent for its three-tiered system ranging from basic to deluxe rooms. The standard basic double room cost will increase 2.7 percent, or $80 a semester.

Meals plans will increase by 3.5 percent, or $3.92 per week for the Bronze Plan, which is used by the state for comparison purposes.

To better serve students, the board also approved a series of renovations and service relocations in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

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Starbucks will expand with a move to the current location of the Black Swamp Pub. The first-floor computer lab will move to the current Starbucks location. And finally, a re-imagined Black Swamp Pub featuring local craft beers and selections by alumni brewers will open in the location of the current computer lab as an informal gathering place for Students, Faculty, Staff and Alumni. Phase one of the project is set to begin in May with the Starbucks relocation and will be completed before the start of the fall academic year. During the renovations, Starbucks and the computer lab will remain open.

In other action, the title of Distinguished Research Professor was conferred upon Dr. Sherry E. Sullivan, professor of management, in recognition of her innovative contributions to the study of organizational development. Sullivan will be recognized again at the annual Faculty Excellence Awards in April.

"Our faculty continue to stand out in their commitment to serving the public good," Rogers said. "Dr. Sullivan has helped create important new knowledge in organizational development and she is an outstanding teacher and role model."