Academic Name Change Proposal Form

Academic Name Change Proposal Form

1. Requesting Program: Operations Management and Quantitative Methods Department

2. Proposed Name Change: Business Analytics Department

3. Rationale

In conjunction with a revision of our overall department curriculum including a new Master’s of Science in Business Analytics program and two new proposals in the works (Master’s in Management and Undergraduate Concentration in Business Analytics), we hereby request a change in our department name from "Operations Management and Quantitative Methods Department" to "Business Analytics Department." Our rationale for the name change is threefold:

1)  the new title better reflects who we are in terms of the courses that we offer and the research that we do which includes a spectrum of empirical analyses and decision-making,

2)  the new title assists in clarifying our decisions as we pursue new programs and concentrations, and

3)  the new title is simple and contemporary yet highly descriptive in a general sense of what we all do.

The Operations Management and Quantitative Methods Department has existed for two years at Saint Mary's College. It is a department that has undergone transformation matching new goals and expectations in quantitative approach to management through engaged learning, innovative research and industry activities, and stewardship within a global society at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. The department, within the framework of the School of Economics and Business Administration’s statement of mission, strives to provide for the development of analytical skills, critical thinking and knowledge for managing today’s complex business decisions. In this spirit, we offer this proposal to change the name of the department from "Operations Management and Quantitative Methods Department" to "Business Analytics Department."

4. Consultation Process

a.  Initial approval from the Dean: Approval was secured from the Dean of the School of Economics and Business Administration, Dr. Zhan Li, June 2015.

b.  Consultation with the Math Department: The department consulted with the Chair of the Math Department, Dr. Christopher Jones. His feedback was favorable.

Consultation Feedback:

1.  Zhan Li, Dean of SEBA

My goal is that all of the faculty expertise in a department name is fully and accurately reflected and captured.

Since the successful launch of the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) in July 2015 and the growing focus on big data from business and other types of organizations, I support the change of the department name to reflect on the increasing use of analytical approaches to business and organizational issues in your disciplines. I suggest that we submit the name change request to GPSEPC since the degree program the department has is a graduate program.

2.  Christopher Jones, Chair of Math Department

Thanks for checking. But I certainly don't think we would have any objections. Are you planning on moving even further in that direction?