The Board of Trustees approved a staff request to exempt three academic programs from being discontinued at the board's meeting last week.

The measure, which applies to the surveying and mapping, physics and African American studies programs, was approved with no discussion.

"Just because the programs are low demand does not mean that the programs are not alive and well," said Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Joan Foster. "Each of these programs is robust and relevant and falls into the role and mission of the college."

The Colorado Commission on Higher Education considers academic programs to be "low demand" if they don't meet the benchmark - 10 graduates in the most recently reported year or 20 graduates in the last three years. After a degree program has operated below the benchmark for three consecutive years, the governing board must decide whether to discontinue the program, exempt it from discontinuance, or appeal an extension of the decision.

The staff request to exempt the surveying and mapping program for the second straight year cited the fact that it is the only surveying program in the state and is working toward becoming cash funded. "We're expecting to make some money on this program next year," Foster said.

Staff recommended that the physics program be exempted because it operates in conjunction with the University of Colorado at Denver's program, and when considering both programs together, they would not be considered low demand. Metro is working with UCD to have the program considered as one program. "We're breaking now ground in trying to have the two programs recognized as one," Foster said.

The staff recommendation to exempt the African-American studies program was because the program is considered central to Metro's role and mission and because it provides students access to a unique program. While the number of degrees awarded remains small, more than 300 students took an African American Studies course last fall. "This program is clearly central to our role and mission," Foster said.

In addition to the three programs that the Board agreed to exempt, the meteorology program was identified as low demand, having 16 graduates in the last three years. The program is the only bachelor's atmospheric science program in the state and meets guidelines of the American Meteorology Society and the National Weather Service. The Board will need to decide whether the exempt the program next year.