Central Connecticut State University provost shared upcoming academic changes at the Student Government Association meeting on Wednesday, March 27.  

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Kim Kostelis discussed her vision for the expansion of academic offerings at CCSU, including the new artificial intelligence minor, which will be “focused on the application of AI technology.” 

Kostelis said that Central was going to focus more on marketing its special studies major so that students can create a more individualized education. 

“For example, we don’t currently offer a sports management major,” she said. “But if you piece together a lot of courses throughout our majors, you can create a sports management major.” 

Students can piece together various courses and certificates to build a major and faculty are exploring different templates to help students in the process, Kostelis said. 

Another new addition to the major offerings at Central will be a climate change studies major. The Bachelor of Arts degree will focus on theories, ethics and policy, while the Bachelor of Science degree will be centered around science and data, she said. 

Central will also add a game study minor, marketing minor and business minor. 

“We have a lot more certificate programs and more accelerated programs coming,” Kostelis said. 

Senator Stephanie Elissaint voiced concerns about the pressure that advisors put on students to graduate within five years, making it difficult to take on more courses, certificates or second majors.  

“It’s our education, if we want to change our minds and double major, advisors say it’s too late,” Elissaint said. “It’s our education and we should be in control of it.” 

Kostellis, having spent the last 20 years working at Central, said that she will work to make sure everyone sees the big picture when it comes to advising and they are there for student success.  

President Haneen Alkabasi presented an email to wish Muslim students a happy Ramadan, but Senator Dionna Dorsey raised questions about inclusivity. 

“We dropped the ball on Black History Month, Women’s History Month, which I posted on social media,” Dorsey said. “But the email looks like we’re only focused on religious stuff.” 

Senators debated about whether more emails should be sent to acknowledge Easter and other holidays, but when a vote was called an overwhelming number voted to publish posts regarding Ramadan and Easter instead. 

Senator Leticia Castro suggested a motion to raise stipends for senators but in a close vote, the motion failed.