Spring Break
Interdisciplinary programs face uncertain future
Derek Simons
Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: News
As a cost-cutting measure, College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) Dean Karen Vorst told the directors of four interdisciplinary programs a few weeks ago that, upon the retirement of their shared Administrative Assistant (AA) Sally Conrad on May 9, the position would not be refunded.
For administrative support, Women and Gender Studies (WGS) and the Honors Program will have to rely on the Foreign Languages department, whereas Religious Studies and American Studies will now be housed within the History department.
Because of the decision, Dr. Gary Ebersole has resigned from his positions as director of Religious Studies and as chair of the History department, stating the additional workload and the loss of autonomy would make it impossible for him to perform his duties correctly.
In his letter of resignation to the dean on March 25, Ebersole said her decision to transfer the AA position to the new Criminal Justice & Criminology department was "unworkable and unacceptable" and would set interdisciplinary studies back 10 years.
"Your plan shows … a profound disrespect for, and lack of understanding of, interdisciplinary programs," Ebersole wrote. "To put this colloquially, you cannot rob Peter to pay Paul and have any integrity - fiscal or otherwise."
Vorst accepted his dual resignation and wrote back she regretted not being able to convince Ebersole his priorities would be better served by stepping down from his positions as chair of the Faculty Senate and as chair of the Intercampus Faculty Council.
In an interview, Vorst said she had met with the History department on April 1 to discuss their concerns and start the process of finding a new chair.
"I'm not even sure why this is becoming noteworthy enough for the news," Vorst said, "but when we have people leaving administrative positions, we often do an analysis of the position. We determined that what we wanted to do was redefine that position."
She said one of the concerns expressed by faculty in the History department was administrative support for interdisciplinary programs and she reiterated she is a big supporter of those programs.
For administrative support, Women and Gender Studies (WGS) and the Honors Program will have to rely on the Foreign Languages department, whereas Religious Studies and American Studies will now be housed within the History department.
Because of the decision, Dr. Gary Ebersole has resigned from his positions as director of Religious Studies and as chair of the History department, stating the additional workload and the loss of autonomy would make it impossible for him to perform his duties correctly.
In his letter of resignation to the dean on March 25, Ebersole said her decision to transfer the AA position to the new Criminal Justice & Criminology department was "unworkable and unacceptable" and would set interdisciplinary studies back 10 years.
"Your plan shows … a profound disrespect for, and lack of understanding of, interdisciplinary programs," Ebersole wrote. "To put this colloquially, you cannot rob Peter to pay Paul and have any integrity - fiscal or otherwise."
Vorst accepted his dual resignation and wrote back she regretted not being able to convince Ebersole his priorities would be better served by stepping down from his positions as chair of the Faculty Senate and as chair of the Intercampus Faculty Council.
In an interview, Vorst said she had met with the History department on April 1 to discuss their concerns and start the process of finding a new chair.
"I'm not even sure why this is becoming noteworthy enough for the news," Vorst said, "but when we have people leaving administrative positions, we often do an analysis of the position. We determined that what we wanted to do was redefine that position."
She said one of the concerns expressed by faculty in the History department was administrative support for interdisciplinary programs and she reiterated she is a big supporter of those programs.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Money Conscious
posted 4/07/08 @ 6:01 PM CST
Gee, that would be rough if professors had to answer their own phones and do their own paperwork.
The only thing skyrocketing along with tuition and oil would have to be faculty salaries. (Continued…)
nobody
posted 4/11/08 @ 3:46 PM CST
Obviously Vorst is out of touch. Thanks to the UNEWS for reporting on this story. Seems to me like Vorst would like to sweep this one under the rug, "is this news worthy etc. (Continued…)
Sinking Ship
posted 5/13/08 @ 9:43 AM CST
With only 4 graduates in the Religious Studies program's 10 year history, Sally Conrad was the only good thing they had going...all the best to her for getting out with her sanity intact. (Continued…)
nobody
posted 5/13/08 @ 3:09 PM CST
What a group of necessary tracks of study. A BA in any of these areas will definitely take you straight to assistant manager at Wendy's upon graduation. (Continued…)
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