Four letters from top administrators at the University of Illinois ask blunt questions about the future of four programs:
Flight school
The project team for the Institute of Aviation is asked to examine whether Human Factors bachelors and masters degree programs remain viable, since these faculty members have been moved to other units.
“Should the Institute of Aviation be discontinued?” the letter asks.
The team will also look at whether the professional pilot program is sufficiently connected to the mission of the university, and whether the UI can partner with the Parkland College, which has a ground school.
The team will ask look at whether changes in the institute would affect Willard Airport. The FAA monitors closely how many flights take off at airports.
Information technology
An information technology team will research ways to cut costs at least $10 million over all three campuses.
They’re asked to what extent the IT function can be centralized or shared without diminishing the productivity of faculty, students or staff.
“Are there opportunities to outsource part or all of the function or service?” the letter asks.
Can the UI find external funding “to jump-start” functions that could attract new faculty and students.
Outreach programs
The team reviewing the Office of Vice Chancellor for Public Engagement will look at whether there are “less costly means of enhancing public engagement” and if these services could be handled at a lower level than a vice chancellor’s office.
It also asks whether the central Office of Corporate Relations adds value or creates conflict.
Other questions: Since the campus already has an Institute of Natural Resource Sustainability, does it also need an Office of Sustainability with a full-time director? Is there a critical need for the Illinois in Washington Program, a learning and internship initiative launched in 2006?
Scholarships
Another team will look at undergraduate financial aid. It’s to study whether merit awards are recruiting the highest caliber of students.
The team is also charged with looking at the possibility of replacing scholarships with other funding sources. And it will examine whether proposed changes could damage the UI’s ability to recruit a diverse student body.
Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services