Further Review Of Steps Needed To Become Accredited
The 1961 report highlighted the Dean's objective to seek accreditation by the American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business. "The curriculum committee will need to undertake many activities during the year to develop the kind of information necessary to apply for accredited membership in the American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business."
During the year, program changes were made in the management curriculum to replace a course in industrial management with one named principles of management. Also, the insurance program received further strengthening of its curriculum. On the negative side, the retailing program was to lose its director through the retirement of Professor Davison. The support of the local retailing community could be placed in doubt since much of its support was based on the relationship it had with Professor Davison. Regardless of the degree of support from the retailers, it would be necessary to hire a faculty member with strength in retailing.
Dean Lucas noted the college remained under pressure from students, business mangers, and some university administrators to offer a graduate program. However, the CBA faculty opined that no movement toward graduate education should occur until after obtaining AACSB accreditation for the undergraduate program. Dr. Bail penned a note in the margin of this report that he agreed with this assessment to delay offering a program of graduate education for business.
The report for 1964 expresses thanks from both the faculty and Dean Lucas for salary increases included in the budget for the following year. The increases were but one aspect of President Bail's continued support for the objectives of the College as it continued to achieve approval of the American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business. This report expressed a desire that Dr. Bail's successor continue his high level of moral and financial support of the College.
With respect to meeting AACSB standards, Dean Lucas expressed belief that the College now had a faculty with adequate terminal degrees, that library holdings were comparable to those of similar institutions, and that classroom and faculty facilities were reasonably good. The remodeling of room 272 now provided space for private offices for senior faculty and department heads. He also had the following comment with respect to graduate courses:
There is another factor in connection with assignment of faculty to graduate courses. Under AACSB rules, the maximum teaching load is ten credit hours; and as we all know, a man assigned to teach a graduate class does not serve as many students. Therefore, as we add graduate courses, the cost of instruction and facilities goes up and the number of students served goes down. We hope the necessary funds will be forthcoming from some source when they are needed.