Arts & Sciences Reorganization
July 23, 2008 Update
Our shared goal in determining the structure for Arts & Sciences is to ensure A&S is in the best position to serve as the vital heart of UH Mānoa. I certainly appreciate the great interest this issue has generated and I am grateful for the creative and thoughtful ideas that have been put forward.
From what I've heard and learned from you, we need to increase the stature and strengthen the role of the Arts & Sciences on the campus. Many suggestions revolved around facilitating coordination of programs, determining investment areas, generating new revenue sources, and organizing infrastructure to support faculty, staff, and students.
These challenges and concerns drive me to conclude that the model I wish to pursue is for a single dean of the College of Arts & Sciences to provide greater stature and voice within the University as a whole, as well as increased direction and coordination within the College itself. I believe this model is the best one for the following reasons:
- A single dean will provide a unified vision, voice, and direction to the liberal arts at UH Mānoa.
- It provides a clear decision-making structure that will have the ability to prioritize, move resources, and make academic decisions across the disciplines of Arts and Sciences.
- A single dean with greater visibility and vision will foster greater support from the external community.
- A single dean model aligns with the way faculty governance is configured in the current colleges.
- More centralized administration among the Arts & Sciences allows for the development and implementation of broader educational goals and accountability for the undergraduate experience.
- Pooled administrative staff is more efficient and effective.
- This model is an organizational structure best suited to maximize student success and the deployment of the "Mānoa experience.” It will better serve the interests of students, graduate and undergraduate, and make us more attractive to students as they consider UH Mānoa.
- A single college will allow for greater fostering of interdisciplinary work.
Finally, I believe there is great value in making a decision, even an imperfect one, rather than continuing the current model of uncertainty and disempowered leadership that is "pending reorganization."
Many subsequent decisions will also need to be made, such as:
- What are the authorities and responsibilities of positions reporting to the dean?
- Whether we can integrate this deanship within the larger academic structure to ensure it has the heft and influence necessary?
- What is the best organization of programs within a division?
I look forward to working together to make a successful transition to this model after consultation about the transition process with the appropriate governance groups. That consultation will also assist in establishing the most appropriate timeline and process for implementation, and that information will certainly be shared broadly. However, I want to move forward in making strategic investments now that are needed to support A&S. I have asked the deans and I am asking you for suggestions that would strengthen activities critical in supporting A&S.
To move forward we have two groups working on issues:
- I have established a working group to advise me on the most relevant professional and personal qualities that a new Arts & Sciences college dean will need to possess. In addition, this group will recommend best practices for moving from multiple colleges to a one college model. The working group will consider the best process for achieving this goal as well as the best outcome when the group's work is finished.
- The current deans of Arts & Sciences and SPAS are working on college reorganization models that reflect different strengths and weaknesses.
These two groups will be coordinating their efforts in the near future.
Mahalo for your many contributions to UH Mānoa,
Virginia Hinshaw
