A new mechanical engineering doctoral program might be added to Ohio University's course offerings in the next few years.
The OU Board of Trustees approved the program at their March 2 meeting, but the program has not been approved by the Ohio Board of Regents.
Faculty members in the Russ College of Engineering are pushing for the doctoral program because it will boost the national reputation of the college and increase research and growth within the department, said Dennis Irwin, dean of the engineering college.
However, a recent investigation of plagiarized theses has marred the college's reputation. Forty-four cases of plagiarism are under review, and university officials said they hope to have all cases thoroughly investigated by the beginning of Spring Quarter.
The college has taken steps to educate students about plagiarism, and Irwin has formed the Academic Honesty Oversight Committee, which will recommend further steps at the conclusion of the investigation, Irwin said. Students who plagiarized could be allowed to rewrite their thesis or have their degree revoked, among other possible consequences.
University officials also have concerns about the role of current faculty members who were advisers for some of the students being investigated, Irwin said.
Several officials involved in the plagiarism investigation are pushing for the approval of the new doctorate program, including faculty members from the engineering college.
The doctoral program has been in the works for several years, Irwin said. There was a moratorium on the approval of new doctoral programs in the '90s, but it was lifted in 1998, according to a 1998 report on graduate funding from the Ohio Board of Regents.
OU Provost Kathy Krendl said she supports the approval of the doctoral program but has appointed two faculty members outside the College of Engineering to conduct an independent review of the plagiarism investigation.
There won't be a carry-over effect
Krendl said, noting that the investigation will not affect the future program if it is approved.
Optimistically, the program could be in place as early as this fall, but that seems unlikely, Irwin said.
The process of approval through the Ohio Board of Regents typically takes nine to 12 months, said Char Rogge, an administrator in the research and graduate department of the Ohio Board of Regents. Part of that approval process includes getting input from other universities in Ohio.
Members of the Ohio Board of Trustees were aware of the plagiarism investigation when they approved the new program, Irwin said.
(This new program) builds on their strengths and allows them to move into the doctoral arena said R. Gregory Browning, chairman of the OU Board of Trustees.
The board members are encouraged by the steps the college is taking in the plagiarism investigation, Browning said, noting that it is important to deal with the issue fairly and aggressively.
The effects of the investigation on the new program are unknown.
It's sort of hard to say Irwin said, but noted that he is confident of the faculty's abilities to run the program.
The mechanical engineering department currently participates in the college-wide Integrated Engineering Ph.D. program, which includes a track specifically for mechanical engineering students. While students have been successful in this track, a new Ph.D. program in mechanical engineering would increase the college's competitiveness with other universities, according to the Program Development Plan in the Board of Trustees agenda.
If the new doctoral program were approved, it would not require additional funding, as most of the costs would be absorbed by the college and department.
The college has several research facilities, and those facilities have enough space for more students, according to the plan.
There would be a slight increase in administration responsibilities if the program is approved but would be absorbed by current employees, according to the development plan.
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