Stevens explains planned cuts to Trustee committee

The University Trustees Academic Policy Committee took up an issue yesterday that has engulfed the campus in debate – the proposed elimination of three departments within the School of Arts and Sciences. But as expected, the group did not vote on the proposals which would disband the American Civilization, Religious Studies and Regional Science departments. The proposals, released publicly three weeks ago by SAS Dean Rosemary Stevens, would also merge the Astronomy Department with the Physics Department and place the Slavic Language Department in academic receivership. The Trustee committee heard from Stevens yesterday as she addressed the reasons behind her plan and what she considers the strengths of the plan, and answered questions about how she reached her decision. Before the proposals can be implemented next June, the full Board of Trustees must give its approval, pending the recommendation of Interim Provost Marvin Lazerson and Interim President Claire Fagin. "I certainly appreciate that change is difficult," Stevens told the committee. "But, I really feel very, very good about these moves." She said her recommendations not only capitalize on the strengths of the school, but also allow for the emergence of strong interdisciplinary programs for the study of religion and American civilization. As the Trustees listened attentively, Stevens answered questions about the overwhelmingly negative faculty response to the process she used to arrive at the decision. "To some extent, consultation is a proxy to 'let's not do it,'" she said. "I can't imagine going to the departments and saying, 'Hey folks, we're thinking about closing you down, what do you think about it?'" Stevens said she is very interested in hearing what faculty have to say, but added she has not been convinced to change her recommendations in any substantial way so far. Committee Chairperson Donald Langenberg said when cuts were imminent at the University of Maryland, where he is chancellor of schools, he told faculty to come up with other suggestions for change. "The board said that's what will be done unless you can come up with something better to do," he said. "All of a sudden, there was a flood of creativity." Stevens further quelled the committee's fears by saying students would not feel the effect of the changes. Undergraduates, she said, would still be able to major in the fields of the eliminated departments. Lazerson, who will not release a recommendation until Stevens officially submits her proposal to him, said the changes look "like a real stroke of genius even though they are painful." "While this is a current hot topic, we are likely to see conversations like this in other schools over the next few years," he added. Trustees seemed impressed by Stevens' "courage." "I thought [the presentation] was very enlightening," Term Trustee Bruce Mainwaring said. "I know a lot better now some of the background." Stevens, however, faces a tougher sell to faculty and students. The Graduate and Professional Student Assembly passed a resolution Tuesday criticizing the administration's handling of the cuts and the Undergraduate Assembly voted to ask Stevens to postpone the cuts, asking her to meet with student leaders to explain her rationale. Am Civ Undergraduate Chairperson Melvyn Hammarberg said he thinks the Trustees will hear all sides of the story before they vote. "I certainly think it is important that the Trustees hear the concerns of the faculty and the concerns of the departments that are affected," he said. "I have every reason to believe that they will." The Trustees may vote on the recommendations during their next visit to campus, in January.