The executive committee of the Elon University Board of Trustees has approved a transition of the physical therapy program from a master’s degree to a doctor of physical therapy (D.P.T.) degree. The new degree will allow graduates to meet demands for increasing autonomy and responsibility within the profession. The American Physical Therapy Association has determined that the entry-level program for physical therapy will transition from the M.P.T to the D.P.T. by 2020. Elon’s first D.P.T. students will enroll in January 2003 and will graduate in December 2005.
In action related to campus facilities, trustees have approved an expansion of the Koury Center. The new facilities will be located on the northwest side of the building and will include the addition of two dance studios, expansion of the fitness center and weight room and the relocation of the athletic training facility from its current location at Elon West. Construction will begin this summer with completion scheduled for fall 2002.
Planning will also move forward on construction of new student residences to meet the growing demand for on-campus housing. This fall, two new residence buildings will open at Danieley Center, and planning is under way to open an additional Danieley Center building, providing 80 more beds, for fall 2002. Elon has added a total of 700 beds, a 40 percent increase, over the past four years. About 2,550 students currently live on campus or in apartments leased by the university.
Trustees also approved naming the commons building at Danieley Center the Violet Hoffman Daniel Commons Building. Daniel, a Winston-Salem resident, is a 1940 Elon alumna and former faculty member. The naming recognizes a gift she and her husband, the late Mac Daniel, made to the university.