By Suzanne McCotter
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
To the Editor:
In a recent letter to the editor, World Languages Chair Marimar Huguet Jerez shared her perspective on the impact faculty retirements, coupled with a reduction in the adjunct budget, have had on the workloads of those in her department.
The deans and I recognize that 26 faculty members accepting the Voluntary Separation Incentive Plan offered in March puts some additional academic responsibilities on their departments and colleagues.
There is some good news on the horizon for some departments — the college is moving to fill many of these positions. We expect to make decisions in January so that those being given permission to hire can make the most of the recruiting season.
I do need to point out, however, that faculty positions won’t necessarily be filled in the departments in which the vacancies originated. In an era of limited resources, the college must look carefully at student demand. By allocating faculty lines to high-demand disciplines, we expect not only to increase capacity in these areas, but also allow us to recruit faculty with expertise in exciting new areas.
This is reflective of the shift in enrollment happening nationally over the past decade. Students are choosing majors more closely aligned with specific career tracks over those in many of the liberal arts disciplines. While this is unfortunate — data has long shown that degrees in the humanities and social sciences serve graduates incredibly well over the course of their careers — it is reality and one to which the College must adjust.