The University Senate was scheduled to hear a resolution on shared governance amid the proposal to eliminate several majors and minors in the Social Sciences Department.

Faculty and students spoke at the podium about the importance of a liberal arts education and the need for more time to innovate the department.

Perhaps the most important part of the meeting came after Carina Bandhauer, chair of the Social Sciences Department, presented the department's plan to re-envision itself and asked for the deadline to be extended to Feb. 10. Right now, there is a 60-day window for the Senate and CUCAS to make recommendations for the department.

After some discussion among the Senate about possible motions, WCSU President Paul Beran stepped forward and promised to extend the deadline for the department if requested at the November University Senate meeting. Bandhauer will also provide an update on the department's progress in revising its program.

The resolution affirming shared governance and transparency passed. Beran spoke after about how little transparency there was around financial issues at WCSU before he came.

He added that sometimes you have to create pain to create movement, referring to the pain the Social Sciences Department is experiencing right now under the threat of eliminations.

"I apologize for the pain it's caused," he said. "But something has to happen."