FAQ for College Restructure

Why was the College Restructure Taskforce convened?

The College Restructure Taskforce Charge is outlined under the subhead “Overview” on the main Taskforce webpage.

How were College Restructure Taskforce members selected?

Prospective members were solicited based on their interest in the charge, after presentations were made at Staff and Faculty Senates. The number and type of appointees was established in advance by the Provost’s Office. The Staff and Faculty Senates collected nominations and made recommendations to the Provost, who made the final appointments.

How will the restructure impact university finances?

The Taskforce’s charge is to develop a relatively cost-neutral structure. The goal is to support existing programs with existing resources.

Who is in charge of making the final decision?

The Taskforce recommendations will be presented to the entire campus community early in the Fall of 2022 and campus-wide conversations will be facilitated (e.g., through Town Halls). After opportunities for broad-based campus input, the final decisions on college restructure will be decided by the Provost and President.

How will academic staff workload be affected by the restructure?

One of the goals of the college restructure is to create more equitable workloads among employees. We anticipate that current inequities of division APA workloads, for example, could be reduced by a new structure that makes the size and complexities of academic units less variable.

How will academic staffing be affected by the restructure?

This restructure effort is not being undertaken in order to reduce staffing. A new college structure may change where some programs are located in terms of the academic structure within the university, and would create spaces for new programs and degree levels. A new structure may impact the reporting, duties and responsibilities of classified and unclassified staff members who support academic programs. The College Restructure Taskforce charge is focused on Academic Affairs, not other areas on campus.

The restructure should not impact faculty FTE. The programs and courses currently offered are unlikely to change as a result of college restructure. Moreover, those types of changes would need to be approved through Faculty Senate curricular processes.

How will I know if the restructure impacts my employment?

Opportunities for feedback on the Taskforce’s proposed restructure will be announced early in the Fall term. If there are any changes to classified staff/faculty workload, that will be implemented in accordance with the respective Collective Bargaining Agreements and applicable labor laws.

Will the restructure impact my graduation?

A college restructure may change where some programs are located in terms of the academic structure of the university, but it should have no impact whatsoever on program requirements, the names of majors or students’ graduation plans.

Will advising be impacted?

Students will continue to have access to Student Success and Advising’s professional advisors as well as the support of faculty advisors in their majors and minors. In addition, a college restructure should not impact services in the Student Enrichment Program, Multicultural Student Services Program, Teacher Prep Student Support Services or any other areas designed to support student success at WOU.

Will student employment be impacted?

Student employees working for an academic program could see changes to their reporting requirements or duties, but that would not occur until the actual restructure takes place, which would be Fall 2023 at the earliest.