Maria Beelen’s resolution for creating new digital studies minor was passed on Thursday at Grand Valley State University’s student senate meeting. Beelen, vice president for educational affairs on student senate, has been working on this for many years. The minor would be part of the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary studies.

Digital studies would require students to take a total of either 21 or 22 credits. As the resolution states, the new digital studies minor would “enable students to evaluate social and political consequences of the flow of data in our lives, gain insight through information literacy, learn how computational and visualization tools are used, and apply these concepts in technologically rich environments.” The demand for digital technology skills is growing in today’s society, especially in the professional sphere.

The electives, which would make up 12 or 13 credits of the minor, are split into two separate modules: digital tools and production and digital culture.

Discussion to pass the resolution began at the senate’s meeting last week. This week, senators voiced their questions, comments and concerns. The floor was opened up for Beelen to address questions from the previous discussion and for senators to again voice their opinions.

A large part of the discussion was geared toward the types of classes that students would take if they pursue digital studies minor. Beelen explains that students would start off with two introduction classes, and went on to list some electives that may be given. Data visualization, ethics of access, gaming culture, identity and representation and social media in culture are just some of the “oodles and oodles of topic ideas” that she listed.

Even though the student senate has passed the resolution, this does not mean the minor is available to students yet. It still has to go through many more steps before GVSU adds it to its list of minors.

“We’re hoping to get approved by the end of this school year,” Beelen said. “But getting faculty members in place and creating these classes would take probably another year after that.”

The resolution recognizes that the creation of the digital studies minor would “benefit students by ensuring that all students have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills to enter their chosen career fields prepared to address the needs of the 21st century.”

It also states that there are many skills students can gain from adding this minor to their studies, which will “absolutely be demanded in all fields.” The resolution lists a few: creating graphic depictions of information, communicating with data analysis colleagues, writing for mediums accessible to all electronic devices and analyzing government and private agencies for use of data.

Senator Benjamin Soltis expressed his support for the resolution, saying it would help people in information technology and management to bring in a new venue of information from the different categories and areas of interest Beelen listed.