. Provisional Approval of New Programs/Majors -- Resolution

WHEREAS, (each whereas should highlight any or all of the following as
appropriate:

* how this program/major fits the Mission of the University,
* the need for the program/major both academically and to serve the community,
* how Delaware's proposed program/major will compare to similar programs nationally,
* the availability of the resources necessary to support the program/major,
* any unique or special considerations.)

++++++++++++++
Whereas, creation of a Fashion Studies graduate program was established as a major priority in 2005 as the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies was formed, and

Whereas, the University of Delaware is research-intensive and seeks to expand graduation education in areas of competitive strength, and

Whereas, the Department has proposed a unique (unlike others nationally) Masters of Science program in Fashion Studies integrating design, consumer behavior, and social responsibility, that is unique among other programs nationally and will have competitive advantage, and

Whereas, and the planning for this graduate program has been informed by industry leaders who have cited the need for professionals able to integrate consumer understanding with design to build consumer relevant products, and

Whereas, the goals of the Fashion Studies MS program are consistent with the mission of the University of Delaware, and
Whereas, the Department has an international reputation for its strong, award-winning, research oriented faculty, with a new department chair, named professor, and a new assistant professor position filled in the last three years, and

Whereas, the new graduate certificate in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business begun in Fall 2007 is a program unlike any in the world, and it has so-far enrolled XX six students and has received considerable attention in the apparel industry, and the Department has received numerous inquiries and expressions of interest about enrollment in a full Master’s program, be it therefore

Resolved, that the Faculty Senate recommends that this degree be established in the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies provisionally for five years.