HERSHEY -- The University Board of Trustees approved an expansion of the Black Studies Program Saturday, changing the name to the department of African and African-American Studies.

For University students the changes, effective with the appointment of a department head, will mean a broader program.

LaVerne Gyant, interim director of the Black Studies Program, said officials hope to develop new courses, including African and African-American Studies research courses.

About 30 or 40 students minor in the program and about seven major in the program, Gyant said, adding that majors include African studies and African-American studies and minors include African studies, African-American studies and the Black Diaspora.

Minors in the program began about a decade ago and majors were introduced last summer, Gyant said.

"It's about time," said Chenjerai Kumanyika (freshman-education and Black Studies) about the new department.

Kumanyika said he hopes to see more courses in African scientific and mathematic concepts.

"They're still talking about folks over in Europe," Kumanyika said.

Enrollment has increased primarily because more students are expressing interest in African-American history and people of African descent want to study their culture, history and traditions, Gyant said.

With expanded offerings, program officials hope to hire about five additional faculty members during the next five years, Gyant said, adding that she projects five more students next year.

John Brighton, executive vice president and provost, said many professors will also have dual-appointment, such as a history professor also appointed in the department.

Although the program is in the Office of Undergraduate Education, the department will be in the College of the Liberal Arts.

That will tie it in with other liberal arts courses, Brighton said, adding that it will enhance diversity.

Some funding has been set aside, Gyant said, but added she did not know how much.

A department head search is under way, Brighton added.