Frequently Asked Questions
Why are we engaging in this process now?
The Academic Affairs Playbook aims to enhance the stability and success of the University of Montana by attending to the health of our academic portfolio, allocating resources strategically, and optimizing faculty workloads. The goal is to ensure the sustainability of university for the long term.
What are the objectives of the Academic Portfolio review?
Academic Portfolio Review is an annual comprehensive assessment of academic programs, considering demand metrics, revenue, and strategic performance indicators. The process is designed to ensure ongoing strategic maintenance, with outcomes integrated into our state Program Review and NWCCU Accreditation cycles.
How does the Playbook propose to streamline and create efficiencies in H&S?
Efficiencies will be achieved by scaling academic portfolios and administrative structures to align with student demand and revenue projections. The Playbook acknowledges the need to do more with fewer resources, emphasizing a reevaluation of commitments in light of financial constraints.
How will the new proposed academic structures be decided?
The process will evolve based on feedback and ideas from stakeholders. The administrative structures of existing colleges, particularly the College of Humanities and Sciences, will depend on the pace of realizing the of Playbook’s objectives. Programs with multidisciplinary approaches will guide representation, empowering administrative leadership to make strategic decisions. It will also be informed by the outcomes of Academic Portfolio Review.
Why were interdisciplinary programs grouped under Humanities in past drafts of the Playbook?
The current draft of the Playbook has been revised for more generalization. The original proposed grouping of Interdisciplinary Humanities was to highlight examples of interdisciplinary studies and to reinforce the role of the humanities as a durable thread within high education.
When will discussions with impacted programs occur, and what is the objective?
Discussions will take place as part of the Academic Portfolio Review process. The objective is to understand how we can help programs adapt to changing student demand and demographics while respecting their contributions to UM's identity.
How will fiscal authority be distributed between chairs/school directors and deans going forward?
This is still under discussion. Final fiscal authority over college budgets will remain with the Deans. Some authority may be delegated as new academic structures are built. Collaboration with UFA, possibly requiring formal bargaining with the MUS will play a role in determining how these roles are defined.
Will school directors be appointed internally, and how will backfill for their instructional duties be funded?
The appointment process for school directors is still to be determined. Backfill funding and compensation for directors will depend on the specific duties assigned and the compensation options outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
How will the shift to schools impact staff and academic advisors?
The basic functions will remain familiar, but the scale and structure may change. Academic Portfolio Review aims to improve the advising experience by reducing curricular complexity. Advising students from programs that are ended will require careful teach out plans to ensure we can deliver the outcomes of the program through consolidation of requirements and electives as well as careful application of substitutions.
Are there plans to change the budget model to prioritize research and maintain R1 status?
The Academic Affairs budget model may change as we define our objectives and values moving forward. That said, the delicate balance between research and undergraduate student enrollment revenue must be maintained as we consider any changes to the budget model. Current efforts are focused on sustaining R1 status through doctoral enrollment and completion.
Besides course consolidations, what interdisciplinary efforts is the university looking to foster?
The university does not dictate specific interdisciplinary efforts but encourages faculty to utilize their expertise in creating interdisciplinary initiatives aligned with institutional objectives outlined in the University's Annual playbook including those centered around Civil Dialogue, the Environment and Sustainability, Cybersecurity, innovations in Artificial Intelligence, and the intersection of the Arts and Humanities with emerging and applied technologies.