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Reorganizing Reduces Administrative Costs, Trims Number of Academic Departments

California University of Pennsylvania has announced a transformative change in its academic organization – a realignment that will streamline academic operations, provide greater consistency to the student experience, expand teaching opportunities for permanent faculty, and make a significant contribution to Cal U’s long-term financial sustainability.

Dr. Bruce Barnhart, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs, has informed the Cal U community that the University will:

• Consolidate its three undergraduate colleges to form the College of Education and Liberal Arts, and the Eberly College of Science and Technology. Each college will be led by a dean and an assistant dean.

• Reorganize and consolidate academic departments, reducing the total from 22 to 11. Combining certain departments allows Cal U to strategically align accreditations –recognition that academic programs meet standards of excellence – and to pair academic programs and faculty that can collaborate and share qualifications.

• Realize savings in excess of $700,000 per year by reducing personnel costs and related expenses. This ongoing cost reduction is an essential component of Cal U’s plan to assure its future by achieving financial sustainability within two years, as required by Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.  

• The new College of Education and Liberal Arts will consist of the departments of Education, Health and Human Service Professions, Humanities, Letters, and Social Sciences. The federally funded TRIO program is housed in this College as well.

• The Eberly College of Science and Technology will house the departments of Biology, Geology and Environmental Sciences; Business, Economics and Enterprise Sciences; Computer Science, Information Systems and Engineering Technology; Exercise Science and Sport Studies; Mathematics and Physical Sciences; and Nursing and Health Sciences.

• The School of Graduate Studies and Research will remain unchanged.

“Our University is resilient and determined to succeed, even in challenging times,” Barnhart said.

“This academic realignment demonstrates Cal U’s strength, adaptability and commitment. I sincerely thank all those who contributed to this plan, and I call on our Cal U community to implement these changes with optimism and resolve. Together, we are securing a stronger, brighter future for Cal U.”

Streamlined operations

Led by Barnhart and undergraduate deans Dr. Brenda Fredette and Dr. Kristen Majocha, the reorganization plan was developed in consultation with faculty and union leaders, as well as University administrators. It allows Cal U to remain a comprehensive, multi-faceted University – a benefit to students – while streamlining administrative operations and reducing personnel costs.

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