Why are we doing this?

Contemporary challenges demand innovative collaboration, making it essential for higher education to foster greater interdisciplinary cooperation. As we educate future citizens, workers, entrepreneurs, and leaders, we are increasingly asked to help our students work and think across traditional boundaries. The university’s current academic structure makes it difficult to respond to these demands. Our academic structures do not always encourage cross-faculty research collaboration as strongly as they could, and current reporting lines do not facilitate cross-disciplinary innovation in programs and teaching as smoothly as they might. Moreover, our current structure results in course and program offerings that are both complex and sometimes duplicative. In addition, several of our academic units have witnessed reduction in faculty numbers. These smaller units could be combined to enhance collegiality, share resources, and create more vibrant academic environments. Combining some smaller units will also allow us to become more efficient, particularly in how we deliver administrative supports. Finally, the new structures will signal compelling, distinctive priorities in the renamed College of Arts and Sciences. This clear vision will foster enrollment growth and be attractive to prospective donors.

In short the restructuring will foster:  

  • New opportunities for impact and engagement in curriculum and across faculty
  • Expanded enrollment by enhancing distinctive and compelling academic offerings.
  • Financial sustainability
  • Enhanced student experience
    • Student experience is enhanced through:
      • Liberating faculty from standing up small and struggling programs
      • Enhanced ability to work in larger units with more colleagues – opportunities for citizenship and collaboration. Larger cooperative units that can drive curriculum.
      • Attempt to protect faculty and staff positions
      • Generally, allow A&S to become more:
        • Strategic
        • Nimble
        • Collaborative
        • Bold
        • Sustainable – financial health
        • Student-focused
        • Interdisciplinary
        • Innovative

 

SUSTABILITY 


Once we understand what the structure will be, we will know how much savings will be realized. We can then align those resources with our priorities.

We have asked the chairs to articulate what their basic priorities are among the following:

  • Enhancing PT budgets
  • Enhancing operating budgets for departments

PROCESS AND TIMELINE


  1. The idea for restructuring first arose in the strategic planning process in 2021-22
  2. Discussed in a faculty meeting in Fall 2023 (Nov '23 Agenda). Feedback from faculty in A&S faculty meetings and chairs in Academic Council throughout the Fall
  3. Discussed in two faculty meetings and via email and newsletter annoucement in Spring 2024 (Apr '24 Agenda)
  4. Discussed in several Academic Council Meetings (with chairs) throughout Spring 2024 
  5. 8+ Meetings between academic units that might be merged – throughout Spring 2024 
  6. Ombudsman Committee Suggestion box created Dec 2023 for faculty ideas/concerns submissions
  7. Omsbudsman Faculty survey Results presented to faculty in Spring 2024 
  8. Identification of benchmark universities that have undergone restructuring recently – Spring 2024
  9. Dean’s office met with representatives from these institutions to get best practices/what to avoid (Summer 2024)
  10. Updates given on proposed framework at Fall 2024 faculty meeting (Sep '24 Agenda)
  11. A&S Restructure Taskforce of alum, faculty, staff, and current students initiated in Fall 2024 (Sep '24 and Nov '24) 
  12. Current proposal reviewed at Faculty Meeting Fall 2024 (Oct 22 '24 Agenda) and Academic Council Meeting (Oct 29 '24)

Fall 2024

  • Discussions with Academic Council and Faculty. Feedback, revisions
  • Formed Task Force (includes Faculty, Students, Alumni, Staff)
  • Dean Smith updates Executive Committee
  • Dean Smith updates Senate
  • Dean Smith presents to cabinet and Board of Trustees
  • Communication Plan developed

Spring 2025

  • Discussions in A&S continue
  • Vote in Senate

AY 25-26 – Implementation

New Structure Commences Fall 2026