From the President’s Desk
After meeting with concerned students in Chicano Latino Studies earlier this month, I provided them with my reflections and a summary of that meeting (PDF). This week I sent them another letter (PDF), following receipt of their response.
Shaping the Future MSU is meeting challenges and maintaining its commitment to values and vision through planning and decision making.
World Grant Ideal President Simon’s call for how universities can meet the challenges inherent in today’s global society.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Shaping our future through dialog
It has been observed by many that colleges and universities are good at adding programs but not so good at closing them down. The reality, however, is that academic programs are closed each and every year at MSU.
No effective organization can long function without periodically taking stock, and so we at Michigan State do this regularly. We assess changes in demand for programs, and we challenge ourselves to critically examine our particular role in addressing societal needs through the programs we offer. We cannot be all things to all people and be world-class.
Last year, MSU placed enrollment moratoria on four programs due to low enrollment and review of priorities, and over the past 10 years, the university has closed 69 programs. But during that time it also placed enrollment moratoria that were later lifted on nine programs. Why?
While there can be a variety of reasons, the fundamental answer is the same one that will be given when the final list of program closures resulting from MSU’s current deliberations emerges in a few months time: this is a process.
