NSU has recently implemented several academic programs and administrative changes that will be effective fall 2004.
The academic and administrative restructuring is a result of an 18 month organizational review process.
“Several of our sister institutions in Oklahoma have already completed a restructuring process several years ago. It was an opportune time for Northeastern to look at its internal organization and make necessary changes,” said Dr. Janet Bahr, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs.
The restructure consists of the consolidation of several colleges based on department commonalties.
“The restructure will not threaten the autonomy of any degree program or discipline of study nor will it change the teaching load for full-time faculty,” said Dr. Larry Williams, NSU president.
“The decisions actually allow the University to increase the number of full-time faculty by as many as four positions and provide a much needed raise for employees.”
Among the academic changes is the replacement of the Colleges of Arts and Letters and Social and Behavioral Sciences with the College of Liberal Arts. The Department of Fine Arts, Languages and Literature, Social Sciences, Communication and Art and Social and Professional Services will now be under the new College of Liberal Arts.
“The merger of Communication and Art is a good one because mass communication is so closely related to graphic design courses in art,” said Dr. Mike Chanslor, Interim Chair of the Communication and Art Department.
“A degree in visual communication which combines mass communication and art is under development which we believe will be very popular with students.”
Other colleges affected by the consolidations are the College of Education, College of Business and Technology and the newly renamed College of Science and Health Professions, formerly the College of Mathematics, Science and Nursing.
“The restructuring in and of itself will have no impact upon the curriculum as the departments and programs remain intact but are placed in a different college setting,” said Dr. V. Lyle Haskins, retired Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
“Campus-wide there are some other realignments of departments within colleges in an effort to make our process more efficient, but all academic programs will retain their same self-identity that they have currently.”
NSU has also temporarily suspended enrollment in eight programs as part of the academic restructure.
Psychometrist certificate and athletic training programs, telecommunications management, family and consumer sciences education, mass communication education, school psychologist certificate degree programs as well as the master’s in special education degree will not be offered in the fall semester.
“We have identified students in these programs and will be working with these students to allow them to complete their degrees or transfer to another degree program in a timely manner,” said Bahr.
Along with the academic restructure the university has found further ways to reduce workforce without eliminating current faculty positions.
“Overall, the reorganization will contribute to the overall efficiency of the university and, thus, will have a positive impact upon our ability to provide modern degree programs,” said Haskins.
According to a recent press release, the academic program and administrative changes have created an immediate saving of more than $400,000 while reducing future operating costs for the University.
“Redefine and restructuring will be an ongoing process for the university,” said Williams. “So far we are pleased with our progress. These changes have allowed NSU to recover substantial savings while protecting our academic integrity and the academic experience for students.”