By Rebecca Wyatt Thomas, OU Web Writer

The Oakland University Board of Trustees approved a new Bachelor of Arts in International Relations at its April 4 meeting. Along with the major, the board approved a road repair and also awarded the university’s top honors to three graduating seniors.

The international relations degree would be a multidisciplinary program run by the Department of Political Science that would prepare students for careers in a global economy.

“Given the experience we have and the interest expressed through other program, there is a lot of interest in this,” said John Klemanski, Political Science chair, who added advisory board members have also indicated a need for students to be trained in this area.

Students would take classes such as introductory international relations, comparative politics, research methods, microeconomics, two years or equivalent of a foreign language and complete a capstone. There will be study abroad and international internship opportunities available to interested students as well.

The major will be available immediately. For more information, visit the Department of Political Science Web site or call (248) 370-2352.

In other board action:

• The board approved the replacement of the pavement on Pioneer Drive in front of the Recreation and Athletics Center. The project will replace 1,100 linear feet of asphalt and the associated curbs and manholes.
• Three Oakland University seniors were honored with the university’s top awards. Jianna Hair and Peter Halabu received the 2007 Matilda R. and Alfred G. Wilson Awards and Nerissa Brown received the Human Relations Award. The students were selected for the awards based on their service and achievements as Oakland University students.

The next Board of Trustees meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 2 at 2 p.m. in the Elliott Hall auditorium, For more information, visit the Board of Trustees Web site.