Clarkson University presents reorganization plan to faculty, campus community
Dec. 19—POTSDAM — After nine weeks of study, the Re-imagining Clarkson Task Force has made its recommendation to the Clarkson University Board of Trustees to reorganize operations and balance expenditures from the current annual operating budget to plan for the future. The board endorsed the plan Tuesday afternoon.
"Clarkson is a proven leader in technological education, research and innovation. We have reaffirmed our focus on STEM and its influence on transforming the lives of our students as well as how to advance technology serving humanity," University President Marc P. Christensen said in a statement. "Moving forward, we are prioritizing investments in the student experience, access to education, new degree programs, workforce development initiatives and research areas that are in demand by our industry partners."
In a message sent to employees Tuesday evening, the college said it would reorganize academic operations into fewer administrative units.
The message said that the School of Arts & Sciences and its administrative structure would be eliminated.
The faculty that provides general education offerings in the humanities and social sciences will form a new unit.
"Clarkson will continue to provide a well-rounded curriculum for students that meets all accreditation standards for our academic programs," according to the message.
Degree programs in humanities, social sciences and communications will be gradually eliminated as students graduate or leave the programs.
The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Department of Communications, Media and Design will also be closed.
"Just as when we have updated and sunset degree programs in the past, no changes will impede the progress of currently enrolled students towards degree completion in their chosen field of study," the message states.
Other departments in the School of Arts & Sciences will be in the other schools and units going forward.
Kelly O. Chezum, the university's vice president for external relations, said that because of normal turnover, options to move to research faculty status, changes in current teaching assignments and anticipated additions of new majors and retirements, it is too early to provide more details on personnel impact.
"We are working with fewer than 20 people across our campuses to determine if the new structure of the University has a new way of using their talents and career interests," she said in an email to the Times.
The university is finalizing terms with another higher education institution to offer the Master of Arts in teaching program, acquired in 2016 as part of Union Graduate College's merger into Clarkson and other education department programs. Clarkson is also looking at the Beacon Institute campus operations in the Hudson Valley.
According to the faculty message, the Clarkson Leadership Council members are spearheading changes in student recruitment among the provost office, graduate school, sponsored research services, marketing and external relations, strategic enrollment management, and in supporting library services, the teaching and learning corner and the writing center.
They are also considering new revenue-generating activities using the Capital Region Campus facilities.
Christensen said he is committed to looking for greater efficiencies in the overall administrative structure of the university.
Tenured faculty, eligible for retirement, will be allowed to release their tenure-line to become research faculty with a start-up package equal to their base salary.
The message, signed by Christensen, Provost Christopher C. Robinson, and Vice President for Financial Affairs Jeff Ives, ended with, "We have the resources, dedicated alumni and industry partners to succeed in this transformation. We'll be kicking off strategic planning in January and look forward to your engagement."
