University of Akron to eliminate six of 11 colleges as part of cost-saving measures due to coronavirus pandemic

Cleveland.com ^ | May 4, 2020 | Robin Goist

[CheshireTheCat]

AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron President Gary Miller said in a video message Monday that the university’s plan to offset $65 to $70 million in decreased revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic includes cutting six of its 11 colleges.

Miller did not identify which five colleges would remain, but said newly appointed Executive Vice President and Provost John Wiencek would make that announcement in the “coming days.”...The university’s 11 colleges and schools include the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Applied Science and Technology, the College of Business Administration, the College of Engineering, the College of Health Professions, the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, the Graduate School, the School of Law, the LeBron James Family Foundation College of Education, the Williams Honors College and the Wayne College campus in Orrville.

[CheshireTheCat]

I was just commenting on another thread that even engineering programs aren't safe.

I'm not defending cutting an engineering program instead of other programs. Realistically, however, if a state has dozens of programs at public colleges across the state, the worst performing one maybe should be cut.

I don't know how Akron's program compares to that of Ohio's other public colleges.

[elpadre]

Every university should be taking cost cutting efforts. Remove all majors that don’t lead to productive lives. All these African/American studies, community organization type majors, and such need to be removed.

[Balding_Eagle]

All these African/American studies, community organization type majors, and such need to be removed.

I thought those studies, along with Wymons Studies were the lifeblood of the American system.

[Nevadan]

I would expect that despite the cuts, all the pc classes and departments will remain at most colleges and universities. Feminist studies, Alphabet studies, racial studies, social justice warrior studies are all deeply entrenched. It will be interesting to see the justifications for saving these while dumping fields people can actually get jobs in outside of academia and human resource departments.

[aposiopetic]

I’ve heard good things about its polymer engineering program but don’t know much about the others.

[Wuli]

cut all “humanities”.

They are NOT what “the humanities” were decades ago.

They are nearly all taught by Leftists who turn the curriculum into another avenue for Marxist social deconstruction in one manner or another.

[Bonemaker]

“University of Akron to eliminate six of 11 colleges as part of cost-saving measures due to coronavirus pandemic”

University of Akron to eliminate six of 11 colleges as part of cost-saving measures due to coronavirus panic.

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

“ the LeBron James Family Foundation College of Education”

lol. Cut!

[organicchemist]

Akron has a big program in polymers and materials. Of course it wsa heavily endowed by the tire industries nearby. It suffers from a big decline in college age students in the area. Also, there are a big number of nearby competitors:
Cleveland State, Youngstown State, and Kent State. Tough to envision a model where they can all prosper.

[matt04]

Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Applied Science and Technology, the College of Business Administration, the College of Engineering, the College of Health Professions, the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, the Graduate School, the School of Law, the LeBron James Family Foundation College of Education, the Williams Honors College and the Wayne College campus in Orrville.

Lets see: My basic idea:

1. Combine College of Engineering and College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, eliminate duplicate deans and other admin

2. Combine Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, College of Health Professions and the College of Applied Science and Technology, however remove the Arts section and make them justify their existence, eliminate duplicate deans and other admin

3. College of Business Administration, keep but cut unnecessary staff

4. Combine Graduate School and Williams Honors College, eliminate duplicate deans and other admin

5. School of Law, cull unnecessary staff

Cut the rest unless some private donor can fund it. Across all colleges combine duplicate depts under one roof, such as maintenance, IT, etc.

[A_Former_Democrat]

College 1. Zip

College 2. Zip

College 3. Zip

College 4. Zip

College 5. Zip

College 6. Zip

[FreedomPoster]

Forget all the X Studies department, how about the Diversity Dean and staff? From 2018:

Ohio State Diversity Office Has 88 Employees and $7.3 Million Budget
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2018/09/11/ohio-state-diversity-office-has-88-employees-and-7-3-million-budget/

[ameribbean expat]

Same. Nice “polymer valley” around Stow. Hopefully it survives.

[Maine Mariner]

Business programs are generally cash cows for most colleges and universities. Most of the courses in those departments require few if any labs and one professor can teach an intro class with 60 students and junior/senior classes with 20 students or so.

[Deplorable American1776]

If they want to eliminate something... Football, should be on the list...

Business Administration is being cut? Any conservative colleges need a Business Administration College? The FreeRepublic School of Business Administration and America First Studies... 😊

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Akron is associated with the rubber industry and related science.

[hinckley buzzard]

Zips indeed. I see what you did.

[A_Former_Democrat]

Holy Gerry Faust !

[Chgogal]

They needed to cut the College of Liberal Arts.

[scrabblehack]

I’m guessing he made a generous donation so they might not cut that one.