 "Photo:")
The SIUC graduate school could be energized in a whole new way.
John Koropchak, dean of the graduate school, said the graduate school could add a one-of-a-kind program that blends business with environmental technology.
Advanced Energy and Fuels Management would be a program ideal for people who manage an ethanol production facility or have a similar job, Koropchak said.
"I think there's a belief that there would be a number of people who are out there in the field working now who would be in a position to come back to get this kind of degree," he said. "I don't believe there is another program of its type in the country."
Koropchak said because the program is so advanced, he thought the university would receive federal funding to start it.
Ramanarayanan Viswanathan, dean of the College of Engineering, said he fully supports the idea of the program and would be glad to house some of the courses.
Viswanathan said he thought the program would be helpful for anyone with interest in managing fuel companies.
Some students are not as excited as Viswanathan.
When the program was brought up to the Graduate and Professional Student Council at its Sept. 23 meeting, members voiced concern about the program being unnecessary.
Some said students receiving a master's in business administration with electives in sciences could just as easily fulfill the possible curriculum.
Sara Samson, a member of GPSC, said she did not think the program would attract enough students. She said because she had never heard of the program, and she questioned the need for it.
"What would that degree do that an MBA couldn't?" she said.
However, Koropchak said members of the Council of Graduate Schools, a national organization, have told him this program is increasingly needed.
"It's a very forward-thinking program," he said.
He said it was possible that people with knowledge and background in the advanced energy field could take business classes instead of entering the program.
"They might be at the cutting edge and have a broad background in that area, and it might be that some could just take business classes to satisfy those needs," he said.
While some other GPSC members said the program would primarily serve professionals returning for an extra degree, Koropchak said the program would encompass a variety of students.
"There's nothing to preclude someone with a fresh bachelor's degree from entering the program," he said.
Christian Holt can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 259 or cholt@siu.edu.
