Dean of the College Jack Connell addressed the Student Government Association (SGA) on the state of the college’s academics on Monday. He focused on concerns about faculty positions, the new Integrative Studies (IS) structure, a proposed online Masters of Business Administration program, and upcoming studies on the college’s Mayterm program.
It is “not remotely the case” that there are major cutbacks on the number of faculty at the college, Connell said. The college Board of Trustees has been evaluating “how many faculty [Houghton] need[s],” and it has been settled that based on the college’s current needs, “we can deliver our curriculum with about 71 or 72” full time faculty, Connell stated. Currently, the number of faculty sits at 74, and over the next two years the college plans to reduce the number to 72, according to Connell.
The history department is expected to see significant changes in the near future. The current three history professors are working half-time as they transition to retirement, Connell stated the college plans to replace all three with one professor. Daniel Merriam ‘17 asked Connell if the change will “limit options” for course offerings.
“Not at all,” Connell said. He went on to state that in the “rare” case there are “gaps” in a department, adjunct professors will be hired.
There are currently seven faculty searches in progress in Psychology, Music, and International Development. Ryan Yates has been added to the Data Science department, and Deb Rice will join the Business department, Connell stated.
Connell also informed SGA of upcoming changes to IS requirements, which will be in effect for incoming first-year students in the fall of 2017. Aside from moving to a 3-credit system, the college is “largely redoing” its approach to humanities. The “distribution approach” to IS courses will be discontinued for incoming students in favor of a “cross discipline approach.” Rather than students taking separate courses for English/Literature, History, and Philosophy, the three disciplines will be combined into Humanities 101 (The Ancient and Medieval World) Humanities 102 (The Early Modern World), and Humanities 201 (The Late-Modern World). This will total to 9 credits in the humanities.
Emma Carpenter ‘18 asked if the combination courses will limit the ability of niche courses to “attract enough people to fill seats”.
“I think the answer is ‘no,’” Connell said. “Because it is more flexible- literature, history, and philosophy professors can teach [the humanities courses],” allowing more time for other professors to teach niche courses in a given semester.
There are “trade offs”, he stated, but “our faculty are convinced” this model will “not dilute our ability to teach upper level courses”.
Connell also informed SGA that the faculty approved a proposal put forth by business professor Ken Bates for an online MBA program. The proposal now awaits President Mullen’s approval, after which it will go before New York Department of Education for review.
The current structure of Mayterm is also up for study, Connell said, though “nothing will happen in the short term.” Connell continued, “It is currently a very active conversation” as it has “been a long time” since Mayterm has been evaluated.
SGA President Joanna Friesen ‘17 asked Connell about the college’s plan and process “for hiring more diverse faculty.” “This is a priority,” Connell said, noting that two people of color have been added to the college staff in the last ten months. Connell said the college is currently seeking out ways to increase the number of applicants who are racial and ethnic minorities.