The Educational Policies Council approved several proposals today, including the establishment of a new academic unit in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The department of applied social and behavioral research will house a new master’s program in applied social and behavioral research.

The new department will focus on studies in rapidly growing areas concerning communities, such as violence, crime and mental illness.

The council, which is charged with academic planning for the university, also approved the establishment of an Arabic minor within the College of Arts and Sciences.

In other business, the EPC also approved a measure that will allow graduate studies to be included in the council. This decision will revise the makeup of the EPC so that two bodies – graduate studies and undergraduate studies – fall under the umbrella of the council.

Provost Robert Frank was pleased with how easily everyone in the meeting agreed. He called it a “big step” for the council.

Check tomorrow’s Daily Kent Stater for more information.

– Maria Nann