At their September meeting, the University Academic Planning Council approved a plan for the Department of Botany and Department of Integrative Biology in the College of Letters & Science (L&S) to merge into a single department. The original proposal called for the new department to be known as the “Department of Biology.”

Following concerns raised by CALS faculty and staff who contribute to the shared biology undergraduate major, along with CALS departments that have a strong biology focus, the proposed name was not approved at the meeting. Interim Provost John Zumbrunnen instead appointed a Merged Department Name Working Group, which will deliberate on a new name for the merged department.

The working group comprises ten faculty members—five each from CALS and L&S. Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Jeri Barak announced that the following CALS faculty have generously agreed to serve on the working group:

• Samer Alatout – community and environmental sociology
• Jake Brunkard – genetics
• Sara Gragg – animal and dairy sciences
• Sean Scoville – entomology
• Amaya Atucha – plant and agroecosystem sciences

Barak expressed appreciation for their service and further commented, “Their disciplinary breadth and collegial spirit will be invaluable as they collaborate with their L&S counterparts to recommend a name that reflects the merged department’s mission and identity.”

Recommendations are expected at the University Academic Planning Council meeting on November 20.