University of Wisconsin - Stout

Academic division to reorganize

Alumni Association > Outlook Back Issues > Winter 1996 > University News > Academic division to reorganize

Academic division to reorganize

Plan aims to reduce administrative costs

UW-Stout's academic division will be reorganized, from four schools to three colleges, under a plan being submitted to the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents. Under the plan, the university's four schools--industry and technology, liberal studies, education and human services, and human environmental sciences (formerly home economics)--would be reorganized into three new colleges: arts and sciences; technology, engineering and management; and human development.

Chancellor Charles W. Sorensen said there was "broad discussion" across campus in developing the plan. "Following Regents' action, I am asking for the cooperation of everyone on campus so that this can be accomplished by July 1, 1996," Sorensen said.

Provost George DePuy, who led discussion on the restructuring effort, pointed out that the change does not involve eliminating any degree programs at UW-Stout. "It does eliminate the cost of mid-level administration and reconfigures the responsibilities of the remaining mid-level administration," he said. "The objective is to preserve the quality of instruction by cutting administrative costs."

DePuy noted that the change comes in part through budget cuts imposed by the State Legislature. "In responding to the Legislature's budget cuts, the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin mandated that significant cuts in administrative costs be made at the dean's level and below," he said. "Our efforts to reduce the number of schools in order to cut administrative costs is consistent with actions being taken at several other UW institutions."

DePuy said that faculty, staff and students all had an opportunity to offer suggestions for the plan. "Every member of the university community has had the opportunity to contribute their ideas," he said. Those opportunities included public forums and a Provost's Advisory Committee on Academic Restructuring, which included representatives from the university's various segments.

Sorensen said that three additional issues need to be addressed in the near future:

• Duplication

  "I am asking the provost to appoint an appropriate team to identify and study course duplication and eliminate all unnecessary duplication within and between our academic programs and departments," the chancellor said.

• Deans

  "The provost will address the issue of appointing deans to the new colleges," Sorensen said. "He will address the level of support for each college."
• Sorensen also said that other refinements to the academic structuring can be considered after the new colleges are in place and functioning.