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Provost recommends major changes
Provost William Swart
The initiatives were announced in Jan. 16 at the Provost's Convocation, an assembly Swart says he hopes to hold every year with the faculty and staff.
Swart said the proposals will aid the university as it expands in stature and population over the next decade.
"One cannot continue to do things the same way and expect different results," he said. "We have a reputation for excellence, but excellence today does not necessarily mean excellence tomorrow."
Swart's proposals are part of a three-year action plan that includes expanding educational opportunities, increasing productivity and increasing the efficiency of university services and operations.
Academic changes would include:
Currently nine schools and one college report to the provost. Swart's plan proposes six colleges: The College of Arts and Sciences; The College of Education; The College of Business; The College of Industry and Technology, Computer Science and Engineering; The College of Human Environmental Sciences and Social Work and Criminal Justice Studies; and the College of Art, Music, Theatre and Dance and Communication.
Swart said his goal is to align current organizations with areas of emphasis, maximize administrative efficiencies and benefit the university financially.
"These colleges would all function together," he said.
One change would create a College of Fine and Performing Arts, consisting of the current School of Art, School of Music, Department of Communication and Broadcasting and the Department of Theatre and Dance.
Swart cited four reasons for the proposal: marketing, fund raising, faculty usage and strategic planning.
"They join so that we can more efficiently market the arts," he said.
Swart also proposed a new college to house the current School of Industry and Technology, the Department of Computer Science and the proposed School of Engineering.
The plan also would combine the Carolyn Freeze School of Social Work and Criminal Justice Studies with the School of Human Environmental Sciences to create a college.
In addition the School of Education and the School of Business would each become colleges.
The College of Arts and Sciences would remain in its current form, minus the Department of Theatre and Dance.
The School of Computer Science and Communication would be dissolved.
The university community will have an opportunity to provide feedback to the administration before any changes are completed.
Bob Morrison, chair of the faculty, said the Faculty Senate "will be involved in making recommendations of any reorganization changes, changes in curriculum, changes affecting personnel, academic units, personnel policies and procedures."
Morrison said his overall reaction to the proposals was positive.
"I think he's got a broad vision of where the university should go," he said of the provost.
Chancellor William V. Muse, still recovering from heart surgery, addressed the faculty and staff via video with a verbal nod to the initiatives.
"ECU continues to grow in size and in quality and national stature," he said. "But to do that we have to change. To me change is exciting. But to others it may be frightening. But change we must."
Swart and Muse encouraged all faculty and staff to provide feedback on the changes. Three town meeting-style forums for comment are scheduled for the Mendenhall student Center 221. The meetings will take place at 10 a.m. Jan. 29, 11:30 a.m. Feb. 14 and 3 p.m. Feb. 26.
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Provost William Swart proposed wide-ranging changes for the university, including three-year degree options, a new engineering school and the rearranging of departments and schools to create six colleges.
Swart also introduced several initiatives that would restructure the university's college and schools.