ESU Removes Seven Academic Departments From the List of those Being Considered For Restructuring, Retrenchment

Posted by: admin on October 25, 2013, No Comments

While working toward the finalization of its workforce plan, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania’s leadership team announced today that seven academic departments previously being reviewed for program reorganization or faculty reductions have now been removed from the list of those for consideration. Those departments are: Communication Studies, History, Modern Languages, Political Science, Professional and Secondary Education, Philosophy, and Special Education and Rehabilitation Studies.  

“This outcome is a result of a strong effort by ESU administration and faculty that clearly demonstrates our openness to working together to address the university’s projected $6.9 million deficit for 2014-2015, a combination of the $3.3 million of carryover from the current year in addition to the $3.6 million of anticipated shortfall,” said Ken Long, vice president for administration and finance.

“Like our faculty counterparts, we remain focused on providing our students with a high quality educational experience and preparing them for careers that are representative of the global workforce.  To do so, we need to close the budget gap by creatively restructuring departments and reducing our overhead in every way possible,” said Dr. Van Reidhead, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Administration and faculty must come at this challenge from a place of mutual respect and trust. I think we stand a much better chance of overcoming these budget challenges if we work together.”

In August, ESU identified academic and non-academic departments being considered for program evaluation and potential changes. Departments that are still being assessed, with decisions being made by October 30 are: Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Chemistry, Movement Activities and Lifetime Fitness, Music, Physical Education, Physics, and Counseling and Psychological services (non-academic).