MANSFIELD, PA— After an exhaustive and comprehensive review process as part of the MU2020 strategic plan, Mansfield University President Fran Hendricks has informed the local chapter of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) and the campus community that the Business program, the Education and Special Education programs, (with the exception of Music Education,) and the School Library and Information Technologies Online Master’s Program will be placed in moratorium effective with the 2015/16 academic year.
The decision will involve the retrenchment of 12 faculty in the affected departments, as well as Sociology and Anthropology which was placed in moratorium last year. Discussions with the affected faculty and APSCUF representatives will take place in the weeks ahead. Affected faculty will have opportunity for employment at other State System universities through preferential hiring or recall hiring.
“These are decisions taken with a great deal of study, reflection and understanding of the impact they have on people’s lives,” Hendricks said. “Our colleagues affected are all valuable to the University, but we also have an obligation to invest in employees, programs and infrastructure that will move Mansfield forward.”
“We will work with each student in these majors individually,” Provost David Stinebeck said. “A large number will be taught-out to graduation in the coming academic year, while others will be assisted in moving to other majors at Mansfield University or transferring to other State System universities.”
Stinebeck emphasized that the Music Education program will not be affected and will continue to enroll students.
Hendricks pointed out that this decision is not strictly financial and that all Pennsylvania State System universities routinely evaluate their offerings. Decisions to expand or curtail are made based on enrollment, duplication of programs among other State System universities and the best ways to serve the future needs of students and the Commonwealth as a System.
Enrollment in Education programs at State System universities has decreased in recent years and demographic evidence suggests that trend will continue for the foreseeable future. That, plus the diminished demand for new teachers in Pennsylvania contributed to this decision, Hendricks said.
“Placing these various programs in moratorium is a strategic decision based on the current climate of need across the Commonwealth,” Stinebeck explained. “Should that climate change, we reserve the option to bring back programs to meet growing need.”
“This is all part of our strategic plan and a way of taking a proactive role in defining our future as a small liberal arts university,” Hendricks said. “We need to align our energies and resources as a University with the realities of preparing our students for current and future workforce needs.”
In this vein, Hendricks says MU is pursuing the addition and/or expansion of several programs including Liberal Studies, Nutrition, Computer Information Science, World Languages and Culture, Watershed Management and Criminal Justice Administration.
For the 2015/16 academic year, Mansfield will be adding tenure-track faculty in the Nursing program and filling tenure-track faculty positions in the Fisheries and Criminal Justice Administration programs.
“For over 157 years, Mansfield University has successfully prepared individuals for their life’s journey across many disciplines,” he added. “Throughout our history, we have made similar decisions to add or remove programs, always taking into account the needs of our students and the Commonwealth. From the very beginning, preparing students for roles in education helped to define the University. Going forward, that same commitment to excellence in educator preparation will be readily apparent in our Music Education program.”
At the beginning of President Hendricks’ tenure in June 2013, Mansfield University faced an anticipated $14.3M shortfall for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015. Through ongoing efforts campus wide, that deficit has been reduced to $6.9M.
“I am confident we can continue reducing the deficit with everyone’s continued, concerted effort and by seizing opportunities to promote our distinctiveness while also exploring and expanding into new areas of demonstrated need,” Hendricks said.
Hendricks and the MU Cabinet will continue to work with the campus community to address the University Strategic plan, the budget and a course of action for the future in a series of meetings, open forums, and online discussions.
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