AVÀÇ

Dear AVÀÇ community,

The following message was shared with the AVÀÇ Academic Senate. Because this reorganization-consolidation is a university-wide effort, we thought it would be useful to share this document more broadly.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The process of the Formation, Dissolution, Name Change, or Merger of Academic Units is governed by . This policy outlines sequential steps of consultation and approval of proposals. When proposals originate from faculty members, Department Chairs, College Curriculum Coordinators, College Curriculum Committees, Associate Deans, or Deans, the proposal is then reviewed and approved by the Provost of Academic Affairs. It is then sent to Standing Committees CAPR, CIC, and/or FAC, followed by Ex Com, and finally the full Academic Senate. Upon approval of these Senate bodies and signature of the President, the unit change is effective.

The policy stipulates, however, that “in cases of initiatives from the University President…they do not need to seek approval of the Senate bodies listed.”

President Sandeen has decided, based on input from the Fifth College Feasibility (2021-22) and Implementation (2022-23) Task Forces, to institute a College of Health at AVÀÇ. Based on current budget and enrollment concerns facing our institution and feedback through the Academic Senate, however, the College of Health will be created through a reorganization of the existing four colleges, rather than creating a fifth college.

The individuals and bodies included in 22-23 CAPR 28 are invited to participate in consultation to determine the details of this reorganization within the constraints of maintaining four total colleges and creating a college with “Health” in the name that includes at least the departments identified through previous Task Force work: Nursing, Public Health, Kinesiology, Social Work, and Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.

• Sharing a written plan with at least 2-3 reorganization options (Fall 2024)
• Organizing Open Forums to present ideas to the East Bay community (Fall 2024)
• Formal request to Senate standing committees and Ex Com to provide written feedback (Fall 2024)
• Survey to general campus community to receive feedback on options presented or ideas for alternative reorganization options (Fall 2024)

It will be the responsibility of the Academic Senate, through its normal processes, to present to the President for consideration a recommendation for the reorganization of the colleges and relevant departments within the constraints described above by the end of the Fall 2024 semester, to be implemented during Spring 2025, and take effect Fall 2025.

For your consideration,

Cathy Sandeen, President
Jenny O, Chair, Academic Senate
Maureen Scharberg, Vice-Chair, Academic Senate
Michael Rowley, Secretary, Academic Senate

September 3, 2024

Dear AVÀÇ Community,

I am writing today with my decision regarding a new College of Health.

In response to the work completed by the College of Health Implementation Task Force, I have decided affirmatively that AVÀÇ will establish a new College of Health with the inclusion of the following departments:  Kinesiology, Nursing, Public Health, Speech Language and Hearing Science and Social Work. The goal is to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and elevate our academic offerings to meet the needs of our students and the workforce. 

To ensure a successful launch, we've adjusted the start date to fall 2025 versus fall 2024. Providing an additional year will allow us to establish administrative support structures and lay the groundwork for a strong start in fall semester 2025.

Recognizing the importance of shared governance, this timeframe will provide the Academic Senate with time to revise bylaws to incorporate the establishment of an additional college.

Simultaneously, a Development Officer within University Advancement has been charged with initiating fundraising efforts for the College of Health. Donor support is crucial in making this vision a reality and we are confident in the generosity of our community.

I want to thank Dean Jason Singley and VP Suzanne Espinoza for co-chairing the implementation task force as well as all members of the task force, including:

• Adrian Ayllons, Student
• Paul Carpenter, Kinesiology
• Elena Dukhovny, Speech Language and Hearing Science
• Lara Dungan, Academic Programs and Services
• Monika Eckfield, Nursing
• Rafael Hernandez, Academic Resources and Planning
• Balvinder Kumar, Office of the President
• Winnie Kwofie, Facilities Development and Operation
• Gene Lim, ITS Technology Development
• Arnab Mukherjea, Public Health
• Wendy Ng, College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
• Jen Ripley, University Advancement
• Gangaram Singh, College of Business and Economics
• Sarah Taylor, Social Work
• John Wenzler, Library
• Robert Williams, College of Education and Allied Studies
• Vanessa Yingling, Kinesiology

As we embark on this transformative initiative your insights are invaluable and I am grateful for your engagement so far. I hope you join me in envisioning the positive impact the College of Health will bring to our university and our greater community.

Best regards,

Cathy Sandeen
President

November 16, 2023

Dear AVÀÇ colleagues,

I am writing today to formally launch and to provide you with details on our new College of Health Implementation Task Force.

In response to the Review the College of Health Feasibility Task Force Report, this Task Force is established to develop a plan for reconfiguring the departments of Kinesiology, Nursing, Public Health, Social Work, and Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, and any other relevant departments or programs, into a new COH. The earliest this change will take place would be fall semester 2024.

Detailed Task force charge here.

I am grateful to the following individuals who have agreed to serve:

Task Force Members

• Adrian Ayllons, Student
• Paul Carpenter, Kinesiology
• Elena Dukhovny, Speech Language and Hearing Science
• Lara Dungan, Academic Programs and Services
• Monika Eckfield, Nursing
• Suzanne Espinoza; Co-chair, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
• Rafael Hernandez, Academic Resources and Planning
• Balvinder Kumar, Office of the President
• Winnie Kwofie, Facilities Development and Operation
• Gene Lim, ITS Technology Development
• Arnab Mukerjea, Public Health
• Wendy Ng, College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
• Jen Ripley, University Advancement
• Gangaram Singh, College of Business and Economics
• Jason Singley; Co-chair, College of Science
• Sarah Taylor, Social Work
• John Wenzler, Library
• Robert Williams, College of Education and Allied Studies
• Vanessa Yingling, Kinesiology

There will be opportunities during the semester for the broader campus community to provide input into this process. Please look for future messages about the progress of this group.

With warm regards,

Cathy Sandeen

Jan. 25, 2023