[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” bottom_divider_style=”wave” bottom_divider_color=”#E71939″ bottom_divider_height=”50px” bottom_divider_flip=”horizontal” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||2px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/provost\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/42\/2024\/08\/2022-05-12_Aerial_Shots-12-scaled-e1748444002622.jpg” title_text=”Aerial Shots” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Scope & Purpose” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The purpose of the Academic Renewal Initiative (ARI) is to focus, align, and update our academic programming. At this pivotal moment in higher education, institutions have an opportunity to think broadly about how best to serve students, faculty, communities, and other stakeholders. The Academic Renewal Initiative provides a framework for ºì¶¹ÊÓƵ to position our academic enterprise for the future. It consists of several phases<\/a> and is guided by five overarching principles.<\/p>\n Chaired by the Provost, the Working Group consists of an inclusive group of faculty from all divisions and across faculty rank and title types, along with several academic administrators.\u00a0The Working Group will focus on compiling\u00a0and analyzing\u00a0publicly available\u00a0basic data on program vitality.\u00a0The Working Group will produce a report\u00a0to the President\u00a0that\u00a0recommends the parameters for assessing program health;\u00a0suggests\u00a0options for faculty, Chairs, and Deans for programs that are not thriving;\u00a0and provides\u00a0a\u00a0data-informed\u00a0foundation for\u00a0investing in new and existing programs.\u00a0The work is informed by national best practices and\u00a0examples from other institutions.<\/p>\n While the Working Group is an important body, membership in it is by no means the only avenue for substantive engagement in the Academic Renewal Initiative.\u00a0Prior to submission of the report, preliminary observations and data will be shared with department Chairs, faculty, and Deans for\u00a0additional\u00a0input and feedback.\u00a0After the report is\u00a0submitted\u00a0to the President, he will\u00a0structure opportunities for faculty to\u00a0hear his thoughts directly and to\u00a0give feedback and\u00a0additional\u00a0input. He will then\u00a0appoint an\u00a0Implementation\u00a0Oversight\u00a0Committee, consisting\u00a0of faculty and administrators, to provide\u00a0direction,\u00a0support,\u00a0and\u00a0oversight\u00a0as the decisions are implemented. [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Guiding Principles Text Section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#EFEFEF” top_divider_style=”wave” top_divider_color=”#E71939″ top_divider_height=”50px” top_divider_flip=”horizontal” bottom_divider_style=”wave” bottom_divider_color=”#FFFFFF” bottom_divider_height=”50px” bottom_divider_flip=”vertical” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Guiding Principles Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Working Group has\u00a0identified\u00a0the following\u00a0five\u00a0principles that will guide our\u00a0efforts:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Working Group Section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” bottom_divider_style=”wave” bottom_divider_color=”#E71939″ bottom_divider_height=”50px” bottom_divider_flip=”horizontal” border_color_all=”#ecb3ef” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Working Group Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Claudia Brumbaugh, Professor, Department of Psychology<\/p>\n David Gabel, Professor, Department of Economics<\/p>\n Ryan O\u2019Loughlin, Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy<\/p>\n Joshua Rogers, Assistant Professor, Department of Classical, Middle Eastern, and Asian Languages and Cultures<\/p>\n Cathy Savage-Dunn, Professor and Chair, Department of Biology<\/p>\n Christopher Williams, Lecturer, Department of English<\/p>\n Mary Greiner, Associate Professor, Elementary and Early Childhood Education<\/p>\n Rebekah Chow, Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness<\/p>\n Maria DeLongoria, Associate Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs<\/p>\n Simone Yearwood, Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities<\/p>\n Patricia Price, Provost (Chair)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”FAQ Header Section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#e8e3e3″ width=”100%” height=”40px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” top_divider_color=”#E71939″ top_divider_height=”50px” bottom_divider_color=”#E71939″ bottom_divider_height=”50px” border_color_all=”#fffb1c” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#E71939″ width=”100%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” border_color_all=”#fffb1c” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”FAQ Header” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”1080px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” border_color_all=”#fffb1c” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”FAQ Text Section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#EFEFEF” top_divider_style=”wave” top_divider_color=”#E71939″ top_divider_height=”50px” top_divider_flip=”horizontal” bottom_divider_style=”wave” bottom_divider_color=”#FFFFFF” bottom_divider_height=”50px” bottom_divider_flip=”vertical” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”FAQ Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]As the Academic Renewal Initiative proceeds, members of our community \u2013 faculty, staff, and students \u2013 will have legitimate questions about the process, objectives, and decisions shaping this work. These questions will understandably evolve over time, both as the work matures and as the landscape in which we operate evolves. On this page, we will address questions as they arise and attempt to anticipate questions that may arise. Check back from time to time. This page is a work in progress. We will do our best to address your concerns with the best available information we have at the time. We are committed to transparency, shared governance, leadership, and to ºì¶¹ÊÓƵ.<\/p>\n Please submit your questions and ideas here: Academic Renewal Initiative – Your Input is Important! \u2013 Fill out form<\/a><\/p>\n (you must use your @login.cuny.edu email address to respond to this questionnaire) As a sector, higher education is experiencing rapid change. Technological and demographic shifts, questioning around the value of a college degree, and dramatic adjustments to our relationship with the federal government and our sector are resulting in diminished federal financial support, declining enrollments, and the realization among students and their families that a college degree may map in difficult-to-predict ways to a labor market in flux. These forces have led to colleges and universities across the nation taking decisive steps to ensure the relevance of what they offer to prospective and current students. Indeed, institutions who see the present moment as a golden opportunity to update their academic programming and articulate their value will be best positioned for success, while institutions failing to confront these challenges have seen cuts to academic programs, often taken under duress and without meaningful faculty input.<\/p>\n The reality of our situation at ºì¶¹ÊÓƵ is that we have seen a 21% decline in our headcount enrollment since 2020, placing us in a chronic deficit condition (i.e., operating expenses outstrip revenues) as well as a challenging cash flow situation. Compared to our sister CUNY institutions, we have a very large number \u2013 388 \u2013 of approved academic programs, some of which are quite small. And we have a higher ratio of faculty \u2013 48% of our overall employee headcount \u2013 than any of the other CUNY institutions. Taken together, these factors are not sustainable, and we must take steps to increase revenue, control expenses, and focus and update our academic programming to enhance enrollment and student outcomes.<\/p>\n Using objective data on program health \u2013 metrics such as full-time students served, number of majors, students graduated in recent years \u2013 alongside data on the job market, we aim to identify struggling programs and suggest ways forward for their faculty, Chairs, and Deans. This work will also surface areas for growth and investment in new and existing programs. Together, addressing the future of struggling programs and making space for investment will result in a more relevant, appealing, and strong ºì¶¹ÊÓƵ. We know we offer an accessible, high-quality education at an affordable price. Because higher education \u2013 or any other sector \u2013 is not stagnant, we must adapt to remain competitive and to serve our students effectively.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How were the members of the Working Group selected?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]The WG consists of 11 members in total. 7 of them are faculty, 4 are administrators from within Academic Affairs. While we considered expanding the group to include more faculty, realistically it would\u2019ve been too difficult to schedule, accommodate, and engage a larger group. Faculty were recommended by their Deans, in consultation with department Chairs. We strove for representativeness along all axes: demographic, discipline, rank, and title type. Three of the WG members are former or sitting department Chairs. Because the Academic Renewal Initiative taken as a whole \u2013 not just the Working Group \u2013 will help shape ºì¶¹ÊÓƵ for years to come, it was important that all have a representative seat at the table. At other institutions, programs have decided to merge, made concerted efforts to update their curriculum or otherwise broaden their appeal, or formed regional consortia. In other cases, programs have been curtailed or closed. The specific actions taken at ºì¶¹ÊÓƵ will be determined by the Chair and the Dean, working in close collaboration with their faculty on the one hand, and the Provost on the other. It is important to underscore that the Working Group is not a decision-making body. In all cases, the continuity of education for students and employment for full-time permanent faculty and staff will be prioritized. While details of our working discussions should be confidential in order to encourage candor and protect Working Group member wellbeing, you can always ask any Working Group member about what we\u2019re discussing and where we are in our work. Again, we are 100% committed to communication, shared governance, and transparency. The articles below illustrate the fact that ºì¶¹ÊÓƵ is one of many institutions of higher education across the state, and nation, confronting complex challenges that are demographic, economic, political, and cultural. We are not alone and are to be commended, as a community, for taking a proactive and faculty-engaged approach to reviewing our academic programming. This reading list samples approaches taken by different institutions, displaying both the breadth of the sector and range of possible approaches.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Rumor or Real?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]I heard that the Provost is mandating a 10% reduction in force on the faculty side.<\/strong><\/p>\n I heard that one goal of the ARI is to right-size academics for a smaller college, enrollment-wise.<\/strong><\/p>\n I heard the administration hand-picked the faculty Working Group members to guarantee a pre-determined outcome.<\/strong><\/p>\n I heard that the Academic Renewal Initiative is just a covert expense reduction strategy.<\/strong><\/p>\n I heard that if we request it, members of the Working Group will make themselves available to speak with our faculty at a departmental meeting.<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Statement of Purpose and Scope The purpose of the Academic Renewal Initiative (ARI) is to focus, align, and update our academic programming. At this pivotal moment in higher education, institutions have an opportunity to think broadly about how best to serve students, faculty, communities, and other stakeholders. The Academic Renewal Initiative provides a framework for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"page_category":[],"wf_page_folders":[459],"class_list":["post-18223","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18223","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18223"}],"version-history":[{"count":49,"href":"https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18223\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19104,"href":"https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18223\/revisions\/19104"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18223"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"page_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/page_category?post=18223"},{"taxonomy":"wf_page_folders","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qc.cuny.edu\/provost\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wf_page_folders?post=18223"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Guiding Principles Header Section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#e8e3e3″ width=”100%” height=”40px” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” top_divider_color=”#E71939″ top_divider_arrangement=”above_content” bottom_divider_color=”#E71939″ bottom_divider_arrangement=”above_content” border_color_all=”#fffb1c” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#E71939″ width=”100%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”10px||||false|false” border_color_all=”#fffb1c” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Guide Principles Header” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”1080px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” border_color_all=”#fffb1c” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nStatement of Guiding Principles<\/span><\/h1>\n
\n
Working Group<\/h3>\n
FAQ<\/span><\/h1>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||2px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#E71939″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#333333″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_text_color=”#E71939″ toggle_font=”||||||||” closed_toggle_font=”||||||||” body_font_size=”16px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Why is this effort being undertaken? ” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”What work has been done thus far under the aegis of the Academic Renewal Initiative, and what work is to come? What happens after the Working Group submits their recommendations in May of 2026?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]See the timeline here<\/a>.
\n[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”I am in a department or program that may be identified as not thriving. What is going to happen to me, my colleagues, my students, and my program? Who will make those decisions? ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]Your trepidation is understandable. It seems like fresh news of program closures at all types of institutions of higher education circulates every week or so. As an institution, we want to be in the position of making needed changes on our terms, with those who know our core business best \u2013 the faculty \u2013 in the driver\u2019s seat. The Working Group will use publicly available data to develop a shared understanding of how to determine program health. We will suggest options for programs that appear not to be thriving.<\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”How can I engage in this work if I haven’t been asked to serve on the Working Group? How can I ensure my voice \/ the perspective of my program\/department is heard? ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]There will be plenty of opportunities to engage in this work outside of formal membership on the Working Group. Chairs and faculty will be asked for input and feedback once preliminary data analysis has been conducted by the Working Group but before the report is compiled. Two of the Working Group meetings \u2013 one in December 2025 and one in February 2026 \u2013 will be opened to Chairs and Program Directors (or their designee) who wish to attend and engage. In March and April of 2026, departments will be invited to sign up for members of the Working Group to attend a faculty meeting, with the objective of gathering input and context on initial analysis of program data. And once the report has been submitted to the President at the end of the Spring semester, he will structure additional opportunities to engage.<\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Reading List” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n