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1/14/10

University of Northern Iowa announces first round of reorganization plans

University of Northern Iowa President Ben Allen today announced the first round of a series of realignments of administrative and academic units at the university. According to Allen these changes will help the university more effectively meet the needs of students and respond to the realities of the state budget.

"Several years of reductions in state appropriations have severely affected our ability to maintain our current organizational structure," said Allen. "We've been developing strategies to help reduce expenses and increase revenue. Some of those strategies can go into effect immediately, while others will take more time."

With that in mind, pending Board of Regents, State of Iowa, approval, Allen intends to reduce the number of the university's administrative divisions from four to three. Effective July 1, 2010 UNI's Marketing & Advancement Division will be dissolved, eliminating one university vice president position.

The Marketing & Advancement Division is comprised of the Offices of University Marketing & Public Relations; University Development, which includes the UNI Foundation; and Alumni Relations, which includes the UNI Alumni Association. Bill Calhoun, current UNI vice president and president of the UNI Foundation, will remain as president of the UNI Foundation and will continue to report to Allen. University Development and Alumni Relations will continue to report to Calhoun. University Marketing & Public Relations, led by James O'Connor, assistant vice president for marketing and public relations, will now report to Allen.

"On the academic side, Executive Vice President and Provost Gloria Gibson has recommended combining UNI's Colleges of Humanities & Fine Arts (CHFA) and Natural Sciences (CNS), Allen said. "I strongly support this plan. It will have a positive impact and provide opportunities to improve student learning, efficiency and effectiveness."

This move would mark the first time colleges have been combined at UNI.

"Combining these colleges will strengthen the academic offerings of the combined college and will help reduce administrative expenses," Gibson said. "CHFA currently doesn't have a dean. Given that fact, and that these two colleges provide the vast majority of our liberal arts core courses, the time is right to bring these colleges together with the goal of developing new, integrated programs that will serve the needs of our students and the state."

Gibson will appoint a committee of faculty, staff and students that will develop specific plans to carryout the reorganization. Consolidation of the two colleges is to be complete by June 30, 2011.

Joel Haack, current CNS dean, will be the inaugural dean of the new college. Haack will lead the transition team, as well as serve as CHFA dean until the new college is up and running.

Students enrolled in programs in the two existing colleges will be able to continue course work toward their degrees.

Along with the college consolidation, Gibson intends to combine the Department of English Language and Literature and the Department of Modern Languages. Samuel Gladden, associate professor of English will be appointed acting head of the Department of Modern Languages. He and Jeffrey Copeland, head of the Department of English Language and Literature, will lead a transition team charged with developing plans for a new, integrated department.

The college and department consolidation plans will require approval by the Board of Regents.

11/19/09

A Thanksgiving Message from President Allen

Faculty, staff and students,

As we begin the holiday season, now is an appropriate time to reflect on the many reasons to be grateful for our university community.

The academic year thus far has had its fair share of challenges requiring much of your attention. On behalf of the university, thank you for your patience through these challenging times and your determination to act swiftly on the opportunities presented to advance our university community and mission.

UNI is a place where academic excellence is achieved, our differences and similarities should be celebrated, and opportunities for personal successes are nurtured.

The UNI spirit is alive, and I am grateful for the cooperation that continues advancing our efforts to be an inclusive university community.

Safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving,

Ben Allen

11/12/09

Statement from President Allen about recent bias-related incidents

During the past week, bias-related incidents have been reported to the Dean of Students Office and UNI Police. The incidents include an assault; racial slurs being shouted and objects thrown at students from a passing car; and most recently, slurs were spray-painted on university property.

The university took swift action. Investigations of each of these incidents are underway. Support services have been offered to the individuals who reported the incidents and the vandalism has been repaired.

I want to be very clear. The university will not tolerate these types of acts. Please contact UNI Police if you have any information about these incidents.

Anytime students suspect there has been a bias-related incident, we encourage them to contact the Dean of Students or UNI Police. Faculty and staff are asked to contact the Office of Compliance and Equity Management or UNI Police to report bias-related incidents.

The University of Northern Iowa seeks to be an ethical, caring and diverse community, and a safe institution of higher education. UNI takes great pride in promoting a healthy environment and will hold accountable those individuals whose actions violate the law or university conduct policies.

Bias-related incidents threaten our efforts to promote an inclusive university community based on respect for all persons. Together, we must maintain an environment of mutual respect, dignity and tolerance for the wellbeing of our students, faculty, staff and visitors.

Ben Allen

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RESOURCES

Dean of Students Office: 273-2332

http://www.uni.edu/studentaffairs/deanofstudents/

Compliance and Equity Management: 273-2846

http://www.uni.edu/equity/

UNI Police: 273-2712

http://www.vpaf.uni.edu/pubsaf/police_division/index.shtml

UNI Safety Web page: http://www.uni.edu/safety/

Diversity Matters Web page: http://www.uni.edu/diversity/