The University has recently received several requests from the state government.
The state legislature has asked each state university to evaluate courses and programs based on enrollment and student performance.
Gov. John Kasich’s Task Force on Affordability and Efficiency recommended that institutions also consider consolidating programs that are duplicated at other colleges or universities in their geographic area. That task force charged the Ohio Department of Higher Education with identifying duplicative programs within each region of the state.
In response to these mandates, The University of Toledo has identified 11 low-enrollment programs from the list of duplicative programs provided by the state for further review. UT’s list was presented to the UT Board of Trustees March 20.
Included on UT’s list for further evaluation are the academic areas of American studies, Asian studies, German, French, digital arts, global studies and art history in the College of Arts and Letters; general business and commerce in the College of Business and Innovation; athletic training in the College of Health and Human Services; and general geology and clinical laboratory science in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. UT is working with Bowling Green State University on the possibility of collaboration in some of these areas.
Dr. Andrew Hsu, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, plans to work with the faculties of the programs on the list and a campus-wide faculty committee to develop recommendations for each program. There are three options: maintaining and enhancing the programs, eliminating a program, or collaborating with Bowling Green State University.
“We will ask the Faculty Senate to review this initial report and work with the faculty of the various programs to determine the best course of action,” Hsu said. “The state wants to make sure we take a careful look and do things that make sense. We are always vigilant. A couple of the programs have already initiated change. For example, athletic training is transitioning from a bachelor’s degree program to a graduate-level program. The business and commerce program no longer accepts students.”
Programs are evaluated on a variety of factors, including quality, centrality to the University’s mission, cost-effectiveness and demand.
UT’s final action plan is due Dec. 31.
