Self-Study Report
Paper Science and Engineering
Bachelor of Science
The University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Contact information
Christine Thomas
Dean
College of Natural Resources
Room 100, Trainer Natural Resources Building
University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Office: (715) 346-4617
Fax: (715) 346-3624
Email: cthomas@uwsp.edu
Karyn Biasca
Professor and ABET Liaison
Paper Science and Engineering Dept.
D274 Science Building
University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Office: (715) 346-3962
Fax: (715) 346-4604
Email: kbiasca@uwsp.edu
Program History
The Paper Science and Engineering (PSE) program at UWSP is the only program of its
kind in the state of Wisconsin. The first four students graduated from the program in
May 1972. There are now over 700 alumni of the program. While keeping current with
industry technology, the curriculum of the program remains essentially unchanged;
based on chemical engineering fundamentals with the addition of paper industry
specific technology courses, the curriculum has served its constituencies well over time.
A more complete departmental history may be found in the PSE ABET information
web site.
Since this is an initial request for accreditation, there are no changes to report.
Options
There are no options, tracks or concentrations included in the program.
Organizational Structure
The Paper Science and Engineering (PSE) Department, although physically located in
the Science Building on the UWSP campus, is administratively located in the College of
Natural Resources. The current administrative structure appears in Figure B-1. The PSE
Department chair reports to the Dean of the College, who in turn reports to the Provost.
The governing body that oversees the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP)
is known as the University of Wisconsin System (UWS). Created in 1974 as a result of
the merger of the University of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin State Universities, the
UWS is comprised of two doctoral institutions, eleven comprehensive institutions
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Figure B-1. UWSP Organizational Chart: Academic Affairs Division
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(collectively known as the University Cluster), and thirteen two-year colleges. The
Stevens Point campus, originally a member of the Wisconsin State Universities, became
part of the University of Wisconsin in 1971. UWSP is one of the eleven comprehensive
institutions, charged with providing undergraduate and select graduate degrees. UWSP,
in addition to sharing in the missions of the UWS and the University Cluster, has its
own list of select goals and responsibilities.
The University of Wisconsin System, in accordance with state statutes, is governed by
an eighteen-member Board of Regents. Sixteen of these are appointed by the state
Governor to seven-year terms, and two student representatives are appointed to twoyear terms. The President of the UW System, the thirteen Chancellors of the
universities, the Deans of the two-year colleges, and the Chancellor of Extension and
the two-year colleges are appointed by the Board of Regents. The Regents establish the
basic parameters within which the different constituencies of the UW System function,
including budgets, admission standards, and tuition rates.
At each of the universities the chief executive officer and the person responsible for
programs and operations is the Chancellor. UWSP’s current Chancellor (its thirteenth)
is Linda Bunnell. She was officially inaugurated on June 1st, 2004, succeeding Interim
Chancellor Virginia M. Helm (2003-2004) and prior Chancellor Thomas George (19962003).
Program Delivery Modes
Program courses are scheduled during normal business hours. The faculty use a webbased course management system to deliver course materials, but there are no fully
online courses in the curriculum.
Deficiencies, Weaknesses or Concerns Documented in the Final Report from the
Previous Evaluation(s) and the Actions taken to Address them
This report is for an initial accreditation.
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