MANSFIELD, PA– The Mansfield University administration, President Fran Hendricks, the Department of Education & Special Education and the local Association of PA State College & University Faculties (APSCUF) union have combined in a cooperative effort to formulate a comprehensive plan for accreditation and restructuring that will keep several parts of the program from being placed in moratorium as was announced on October 2.
The programs that will continue after the current academic year include Elementary Education, Elementary Education with Special Education, MEd Special Education and MSED Reading Specialist.
The moratorium was scheduled to begin at the end of this academic year. This decision reversal allows new students to enroll. No Education faculty will be retrenched.
“The discussions over the past three weeks about the moratorium of several programs have been open, honest and fruitful,” Hendricks said in making the announcement. “They have solidified a shared vision of Mansfield’s future. There is a strong commitment on everyone’s part to making Mansfield the premier small public university in Pennsylvania. Change is never easy, but members of the MU community have come together with ideas and innovations that will enable us to evolve with the times and meet the needs of both our university and our students. Aligning those needs with those of the state and the region are equally important. I want to thank faculty, staff, students, alumni, community members and constituents who took part in this dialogue.”
Hendricks credits the Department of Education & Special Education, chaired by Jannis Floyd, for working with the administration.
“The Department of Education, led by Dr. Floyd, has made a commitment to take the steps necessary to align their department with the direction of the University as we move forward. We could not accomplish this without the faculty, our local union and my administration working together. This effort convinced me to rescind the previous moratorium decision.”
According to Floyd, the Department is committed to a comprehensive plan that includes moving forward on the accreditation process.
“Our department has a proud history that dates back to the founding of Mansfield and we are committed to serving our students and preparing them to teach for generations to come,” Floyd said.
The Department currently has 181 majors. Floyd says the Department’s goal is to pursue accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
John Mansfield, president of APSCUF, said, “This collaborative effort between President Hendricks and Dr. Floyd once again shows a commitment to our students and Mansfield’s future. The plan will distinguish the department and support the vision the president has set for the University.”
Hendricks pointed out that this decision and last week’s to remove the Department of Business from the moratorium list will mean the projected savings of $1.6 million dollars in personnel costs will not be realized.
“We will need to rely on retirements, attrition and every employee looking for ways to preserve funds and increase revenue, starting in their own department,” he said. “It means we are committed to a vision and direction that requires us to capture our excellence; by doing this we will educate, engage and encourage others to want to partner with us.”
The School Library and Information Services will continue through the moratorium process, Hendricks said. The Anthropology/Sociology program, which was placed in moratorium last year, will remain in moratorium, but Sociology courses and a Sociology Minor will continue to be offered at Mansfield University to meet general education and a variety of our curricula needs.
