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President responds to students’ concerns about College of Arts and Sciences at town hall meeting |
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Jim Winkler |
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Jul 21, 2008
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| Megan Sciarini, a sophomore majoring in art and film, voiced her concerns about the future of the College of Arts and Sciences. |
UT President Lloyd Jacobs Thursday continued his dialogue with students concerned about the future of programs in the College of Arts and Sciences and again said that he has no plans to eliminate or downgrade the liberal and performing arts or humanities.
Jacobs spent almost an hour answering pointed questions from students and others concerned about the college’s budget, possible mergers of departments, and number of faculty members during a town hall meeting on Health Science Campus attended by some 200 faculty, staff and students. The meeting came one day after the resignation of the dean of the college, Dr. Yueh-Ting Lee.
“I think the college is excellent,” the president stressed in response to one of several student questions. “It is great and the core of the institution and of our future. Without the functions of the College of Arts and Sciences, this University would not survive.”
Referring to his April community address, in which he called for transforming undergraduate education at UT by focusing on personalized and customized learning programs for students and a commitment to “extreme student-centeredness,” he said that “the idea of mass customization speaks to meeting the individual needs of students.”
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| Anthony Bradfield, a senior majoring in mathematics and economics, held a sign in support of the College of Arts and Sciences outside the Health Education Building on Health Science Campus prior to the start of the town hall meeting last week. |
Often striking a conciliatory tone to some contentious queries, Jacobs said he wants UT to create opportunities for students, meet their needs, and keep them as its primary focus. The idea of student-centeredness is based on the University administration, faculty and staff valuing students, caring about their lives, and supporting them with strong academic, mentoring, student services and advising programs, and professional and personal development opportunities that will help them be successful and reach their goals, he underscored.
Contrary to assertions that the college has been underfunded for years, Dr. Scott Scarborough, senior vice president for finance and administration, said expenditures for the College of Arts and Sciences have actually increased from $51.4 million from fiscal year 2004 to $56.3 million in fiscal year 2008 and the budget is flat for the next year.
Dr. Rosemary Haggett, Main Campus provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, said that of 27 new faculty lines awarded to colleges through the strategic faculty hiring plan for fiscal year 2008, members at UT, 11 are in the College of Arts and Sciences. Responding to a question about faculty hiring in the Department of History, she noted that the department has a new faculty member who will begin in the fall, and it will recruit two more. And many college faculty members will have offices and classes in the newly renovated Memorial Field House when it opens early next year.
Adhering to the University’s strategic plan, “Directions,” is key if the institution is to move forward, the president stressed.
“We are, I hope, on a journey to make this University better,” he explained, adding that he wants to increase the value of a UT diploma and to see the University achieve higher national rankings and visibility. “It’s a long journey, and we must keep our focus on the strategic plan.”
Jacobs said discussions have started on proposed “centers of excellence” UT will develop. Four-year institutions have a December deadline to turn in proposals to the Ohio Board of Regents about the centers on which they will concentrate.
The president also discussed the importance of the upcoming visit to the UT Medical Center by an accreditation team from the Joint Commission, the national accrediting agency for medical facilities, and the new format for UTMatters, the University’s television, newspaper and Web marketing program.
After the event, the president said he welcomes town hall meetings because they provide an opportunity to hear what students, faculty and staff are thinking and also to say things on his mind.
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