I put together some statements from the President's Council Minutes and the President's Update concerning the Economic Development Program. The story starts with a question of the credibility of the PR statements about the ED program and ends with...well, you decide.
----------------
From PC Minutes September 2, 2004
“Dr. Folse said that he brought this matter up on the agenda because of statements made to the press. He expressed his firm opinion that when we lose credibility we lose our right to call ourselves a university. …
Dr. Folse went on to say that this is not the first time something like this has happened. Our Ph.D. in Economic Development is described by our Public Relations department as “unique” or “one of a kind,” yet a search of the internet shows that there are many comprehensive programs at universities across the county. Dr. Folse questioned how our program could be considered “unique.” …
…Dr. Thames said that he was going to ask Ken Malone to come talk to the council about the Economic Development program.”
---------------------------
From PC Minutes October 4, 2004
“Dr. Thames stated that the administration is looking at moving Economic Development to College of Science and Technology because of Dr. Doty’s concern over accreditation by AACSB. Dr. Folse asked if this is being planned or executed. Dr. Thames responded that it is on the Board of Trustees agenda for this month. …
Ms. Posey said that this was the first she had heard of the potential move. Dr. Middlebrooks asked whether this was a permanent move or would the Dean work to move it back under College of Business and Economic Development after the accreditation was completed. Dr. Thames stated that the preference would be to have it in CBED.
------------------
Dr. Folse stated that he was hearing critical comments about Economic Development and that he had hoped Dr. Malone would be present at the meeting. He stated that he had heard it was being moved for reasons of quality. Dr. Thames said that we would have Dr. Malone at a Council meeting to discuss it. …”

From President’s Update October 25, 2004 (Reporting on the PC meeting)
...“Dr. Ray Folse raised questions about the quality of the economic development program and the qualifications of some admitted students, citing discussions and comments with others about this topic. He asked that a representative of the program visit the President's Council and answer questions that might be asked by President's Council members. As a result of this request, I discussed this matter with the administrative cabinet and it was unanimously agreed that academic program review is not the mission of the President's Council. Instead, program review, evaluation and assessment are the responsibility of the provost, deans, departments and appropriate academic entities such as the academic and graduate councils.”