Regents Update

February 28, 2008

In its February meeting, Baylor's Board of Regents approved the construction of the $1.3 million Carlile Geology Research Building, which will be built adjacent to the Baylor Sciences Building.
The new 5,400-square-foot building will include six faculty labs, a small teaching classroom, and storage space for soil, sediment and rocks. Groundbreaking starts this spring, with construction expected to be complete this fall.
The Carlile Geology Research Building is named in honor of Quinton, BBA '47, and Mildred Carlile of Marshall, Texas. Funds for Baylor's first geology facility, also named in their honor, were provided by the Carliles' three sons: David Carlile, BBA '72, JD '74, Kenneth Carlile, BA '69, PhD '96, and Steve Carlile, BBA '73, JD '75, and other generous supporters of the Baylor geology program.
Regents also approved a new research institute and two doctoral degree programs, as Baylor continues to add to its research infrastructure.
The board voted to establish the multidisciplinary Institute for Ecological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at Baylor. The institute, known as TIE3S, will integrate the research and teaching of a number of academic units, including biology, geology, environmental science, chemistry and biochemistry, and statistics, for the specific study of ecological systems and humanity's role in how they function. The Institute also will offer research opportunities for Baylor students who seek to become leaders in environmental stewardship and experts who can provide knowledge and perspective on important environmental issues.
In conjunction with the Institute, Regents approved a new doctoral program in Ecological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, which addresses the need for specialized graduate studies in the natural and applied sciences (biology, geology, environmental science and chemistry).
In addition, the board approved a new doctoral degree program in information systems, the first Ph.D. program to be offered at Baylor's Hankamer School of Business.
In other business, Regents adopted a revised religious organization policy, a University-wide code of ethics and a Statement of Public Health to replace an outdated statement.
The modified religious organization policy allows Baylor to charter and grant official recognition to other Christian groups on campus, with Baptist Student Ministries remaining the foundational religious organization of Baylor.
For more on the Regents' meeting, visit 
www.baylor.edu/pr.