Western shifts spending

 

Cuts and investments are being planned for many of Western Colorado University’s academic programs. A final report of the university’s strategic resource allocation study went before the Western Board of Trustees today for approval. If accepted, the changes will take place during the 2021-22 school

The study has been in the works for two years. It involved collecting data from all academic programs and extracurriculars to evaluate student demand and expenses. Programs were scored on enrollment, outcomes, growth, productivity, innovation, strategic plans and finances.

If the study’s recommendations are adopted, Western officials estimate they will see a reduction of $500,000 in allocations while securing $1.5 million in investments. Officials anticipate a resulting growth in enrollment, generating between $1.3 million to $2.2 million in additional tuition revenue over the next two to five years.

Ultimately, Western hopes the changes will “ensure that our limited resources are allocated in ways that optimize our ability to stabilize and grow enrollment and to ensure effective and efficient delivery of our educational mission.”

Below are some of the academic programs that would be affected by the study’s recommendations.

Music

The music department would experience the largest change, transitioning from a major into a minor program. Students who have already declared a major would be “taught out” until there are no majors remaining. Funding levels would be cut by half.

Within the minor, faculty would focus on emphases, such as music education or business, depending on student demand.

Western would continue to support the department’s efforts for student and community engagement.

The three-year fiscal impact summary shows Western would save $256,401 in expenses and lose out on $42,497 in tuition revenue.

Art

The report recommends reducing the art program’s staffing by one full-time equivalent over the next year. The program’s staffing would also begin to move away from the fine arts and focus more on the higher-demand areas of graphic design and web design.

Faculty would be encouraged to cross list graduate and undergraduate courses in art history to increase efficiency. Foundation course credit requirements would be decreased from 12 to cater to the general student body.

The three-year fiscal impact summary shows the university would save $65,377. The tuition impact is unknown.

History

Despite strong leadership from professors Heather Thiessen-Reily and Duane Vandenbusche, the history program has struggled to maintain majors and enrollments to justify existing resources.

Staffing levels are recommended to be cut from 2.5 full-time faculty to 2.2. Existing faculty would be expected to split responsibilities such as teaching, advising, recruitment, course scheduling and innovation more equitably.

Partnerships with the criminal justice program and the computer science program and other programs would be encouraged.

The three year fiscal impact summary shows Western would save $21,864 and increase tuition revenue by $150,849.

English

The department has added a number of innovations and initiatives such as more concurrent enrollment programming, a Diversity in the Humanities minor, development of a technical writing course for the new engineering program and other additions. But the creative writing emphasis has seen a decline in enrollment due to personnel issues. Literature professors are overstaffed.

The program would be cut by 0.5 full-time faculty. The creative writing emphasis would be transitioned into a minor. Senior faculty would be encouraged to teach creative writing and entry-level classes.

Collaboration with administration groups such as Academic Affairs and Student Affairs would be expected. The department would need to demonstrate program outcomes for English graduates.

The three-year fiscal impact summary shows Western would save $17,572. The tuition impact is unknown.

Sociology

A dramatic decrease in majors has led to the recommendation that its funding levels be cut from 4.0 to 3.5. Faulty would be allocated to areas of higher demand.

More offerings for concurrent enrollment and partnerships with community colleges would be expected.

The three-year fiscal impact summary shows Western would save $28,874. The tuition impact is unknown.

Biology

The study proposes creating a new emphasis in fisheries biology and management. The new emphasis would build on existing program growth and would be the second program of its kind in the state.

The three-year fiscal impact summary shows that Western would spend an additional $81,780 and would bring in $590,720 more in tuition revenue.

Environmental Studies

An Intersectional Environmental Studies major would be added to the School of Environment and Sustainability.

The major would have three emphases: food security, climate action planning and water studies. The program would help students learn the different aspects involved in environmental resilience building and sustainable problem solving.

The School of Environment and Sustainability would anticipate a 6% growth in enrollment in each of the first five years, bringing around 150 new students to the university.

The three-year fiscal impact summary shows Western would spend an additional $135,000 and would bring in $239,416 in additional tuition revenue.

Math

Western hopes to add a mathematics position to support the department. Funds would go toward a position intended to support students in mathematics and related courses through the existing Mathematics Tutoring Center.

While not a teacher, this coordinator would be familiar with curriculum taught at Western. The investment would help students across campus.

The three-year fiscal impact summary shows Western would spend $70,500 more. The tuition impact is unknown.

Recreation and Outdoor Education

The study reccomends the creation of a Marketing, Outreach, Retention and Experience (MORE) program within Recreation and Outdoor Education (ROE). The program would allow ROE students to engage prospective students to declare an ROE major or minor.

The three-year fiscal impact summary shows Western would spend $20,000 on the change and would bring in $252,119 in additional tuition.

Psychology

The study recommends the creation of a prevention education certificate. With the implementation of a Masters in Community Health program coming soon, the department sees the opportunity to retain more students through the certificate program.

The three-year fiscal impact summary shows Western would spend an additional $16,000. The tuition impact is unknown.

To view more of the strategic resource allocation study, contact the Board of Trustees.

(Roberta Marquette can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or at roberta@gunnisontimes.corn.)