New Name, Same Mission: Department of Environmental Science (ENVS)
July 1, 2019
Formerly the Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science (SWES), the name change makes the department more recognizable to students interested and majoring in environmental science.
As of July 1st, the department formerly known as the Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science (SWES) in the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (CALES) will be the Department of Environmental Science (ENVS).
“A main goal of the department name change is to be more recognizable and easier to find for students interested in studying environmental science at the University of Arizona.” says department head, Dr. Jon Chorover.
The department has been home to the Environmental Science major for the past 25 years, and this major a primary part of its identity. Soil and water are key to the department's work, but they are also part of the environment.
The name change eliminates redundancy, while also acknowledging people in the department who study and teach about other aspects of the environment, such as air quality.