Spring Break
Provost gets wish lists
Proposed music department move causes conflict
Ann Reus
Issue date: 3/31/04 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Provost Joseph Rallo has initiated efforts to produce an Academic Master Plan as part of strategic planning for Western Illinois University. Academic departments and other areas of the university provide the provost with their wishes for future changes on campus to be considered in the plan.
The plan‚ an "evolving document‚" according to the provost's Web site‚ is designed to help Rallo understand and realize the goals of the colleges. Deans were invited to submit possible changes they would like to see in their colleges.
The colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business and Technology; Education and Human Services; Fine Arts and Communications; University Libraries; Illinois Centennial Honors College; and WIU-Quad Cities have posted "wish lists‚" which can be found on the provost's Web site.
The provost will consider the deans' wish lists‚ but approval is not guaranteed.
According to Rallo‚ this is part of a normal planning process that has been going on for many years.
"Planning is not a confrontational notion‚" Rallo said in a phone interview Monday. "This is a process that is being driven by faculty that is transparent and evolving."
Nevertheless‚ conflict has arisen concerning a proposed change by the College of Fine Arts and Communication.
According to the college's proposal‚ there is a need to "make a decision about the possible move of the (music) department to Simpkins Hall where the advantage of older construction ... would provide more acoustical separation."
Rallo wants to quell rumors that this proposal means the music department will be moving into Simpkins Hall and assure the campus that it is simply an idea that has not been put into action. The proposal is still under review.
"We are looking at an option that is no better and no worse than other options‚" Rallo said.
The planning process will follow a timeline that started Feb. 13‚ when academic plans were made available online. Rallo will write a draft of comments he will make at public presentations on April 14 and 15. The draft will be available online April 1. After April 15‚ academic initiatives and resource allocation recommendations will continue in concordance with the strategic plan and university budgeting processes.
Also as part of the strategic plan‚ Rallo intends to begin realignment processes for academic administrative structures in order to provide better support services for Academic Affairs. The realignment is also to respond to statewide initiatives.
The proposed realignments include the Center for the Application of Information Technology‚ the Center for International Studies‚ the Entrepreneurship Center‚ WIUM‚ Quad Cities campus and Extended Studies.
The plan‚ an "evolving document‚" according to the provost's Web site‚ is designed to help Rallo understand and realize the goals of the colleges. Deans were invited to submit possible changes they would like to see in their colleges.
The colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business and Technology; Education and Human Services; Fine Arts and Communications; University Libraries; Illinois Centennial Honors College; and WIU-Quad Cities have posted "wish lists‚" which can be found on the provost's Web site.
The provost will consider the deans' wish lists‚ but approval is not guaranteed.
According to Rallo‚ this is part of a normal planning process that has been going on for many years.
"Planning is not a confrontational notion‚" Rallo said in a phone interview Monday. "This is a process that is being driven by faculty that is transparent and evolving."
Nevertheless‚ conflict has arisen concerning a proposed change by the College of Fine Arts and Communication.
According to the college's proposal‚ there is a need to "make a decision about the possible move of the (music) department to Simpkins Hall where the advantage of older construction ... would provide more acoustical separation."
Rallo wants to quell rumors that this proposal means the music department will be moving into Simpkins Hall and assure the campus that it is simply an idea that has not been put into action. The proposal is still under review.
"We are looking at an option that is no better and no worse than other options‚" Rallo said.
The planning process will follow a timeline that started Feb. 13‚ when academic plans were made available online. Rallo will write a draft of comments he will make at public presentations on April 14 and 15. The draft will be available online April 1. After April 15‚ academic initiatives and resource allocation recommendations will continue in concordance with the strategic plan and university budgeting processes.
Also as part of the strategic plan‚ Rallo intends to begin realignment processes for academic administrative structures in order to provide better support services for Academic Affairs. The realignment is also to respond to statewide initiatives.
The proposed realignments include the Center for the Application of Information Technology‚ the Center for International Studies‚ the Entrepreneurship Center‚ WIUM‚ Quad Cities campus and Extended Studies.
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