Agnew orders ‘proactive’ dean-led evaluation of SU programs
Syracuse University deans will re-evaluate programs to determine which programs are stable and which need to be “phased out” or “rebranded, according to a Wednesday campus-wide email. Joe Zhao | Senior Staff Photographer
Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox.
Subscribe to our newsletter here.
Syracuse University deans will re-evaluate programs within their schools and colleges throughout the fall semester, according to a Wednesday campus-wide email.
The portfolio reviews, ordered by Interim Vice Chancellor and Provost Lois Agnew, will aim to identify strengths and areas for improvement in the university’s programs, she wrote in the email.
“This is not a review of departments or people, but a thoughtful examination of programs, degrees and majors,” Agnew wrote.
The decision is a “proactive” approach to greater discussions of financial stability in the wake of “demographic shifts” and evolving student and employer expectations, according to the email.
Since January, President Donald Trump’s administration has targeted higher education with stricter oversight and policy on “illegal DEI,” where some universities have seen resulting cuts to federal funding.
Agnew said each dean was given data, including enrollment trends and market analysis, to help guide their reviews and encourage them to collaborate with their faculty to determine which programs are stable and which need to be “phased out” or “rebranded.”
Deans will deliver their recommendations by the end of the semester, and Agnew will present a report at the University Senate’s meeting in January, she said.
Students may see surveys, engagement sessions and other forums for dialogue from their home college’s dean, the provost wrote.
“By working together, we can strengthen our academic profile, invest in high-quality, high-demand programs and ensure that our offerings remain relevant, competitive and aligned with our mission,” she wrote.
