The University of Toledo has completed its evaluation of duplicative courses and programs requested by the state legislature and is updating its academic offerings in response.
The review of duplicative programs, which was recommended by Gov. John Kasich’s Task Force on Affordability and Efficiency, was completed through consultation with faculty committees, academic departments and college deans. The University’s Affordability and Efficiency Report was approved Dec. 18 by the UT Board of Trustees and will be submitted to the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
Included in the report is the elimination of several undergraduate degree programs, including Athletic Training, International Relations and Affairs, and Business/Commerce.
The undergraduate Athletic Training program is being phased out as the discipline is being transitioned nationally into a graduate-level training program by 2022 per its accrediting body, the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. The UT Board of Trustees approved at the meeting a new UT Masters of Athletic Training Degree Program.
The International Relations and Business Commerce programs are being eliminated due to low enrollment, and no current students will be impacted. An American Studies track within the Global Studies Program will replace the eliminated American Studies degree. The Digital Arts Program had not yet been pursued.
In other business, the UT Board of Trustees approved:
• Changing the name of the Department of Foreign Languages to the Department of World Languages and Cultures to more accurately reflect the scope of what is being taught in the program.
• A new Executive Masters of Sales Leadership Degree Program to meet an increased interest in the field and in specialized master’s programs in business.
• Tuition rates for high school students who take UT courses through the College Credit Plus Program. Courses delivered on campus will be $140 per credit hour; online courses and those delivered off campus by University faculty will be $80 per credit hour; and courses that are off campus and taught by faculty-credentialed high school teachers will be $41.64 per credit hour.
• The third phase of a campus infrastructure project that will replace older sections of the underground steam, condensate and chilled water lines on Main Campus. The $1.7 million project is funded primarily by bond dollars and is a continuation of infrastructure projects that begin in fiscal year 2010.
• An agreement with the UT Police Patrolman’s Association to adjust wages in the final year of its collective bargaining agreement. The University and the union agreed to a one-time payment of $180 in January 2018, a 1 percent wage increase effective July 1, 2018, and the elimination of a sergeant pay range step level.
