Students, faculty and community members are questioning recommendations in the Report of the Regional Campus Committee that would affect the future of all Miami University's regional campuses.
The report, available at http://www.ham.muohio.edu, included proposals such as combining budgets for all regional campuses, reducing the number of associate degrees and appointing faculty directly to regional campuses.
The Friends of Miami Hamilton group held a community forum June 30 at the Lane Library Administrative Center in Hamilton to openly discuss the issues, recommendations and changes that lie ahead for all Miami's regional campuses.
Jim Blount, founder of the Friends of Miami Hamilton group, said more than 60 people attended the meeting. Blount cited the possibility of eliminating or reducing associate degree as a point of frustration for many.
"They don't want them (associate degrees) eliminated," Blount said. "What people are pointing out is that not only do people get associate degrees for the first step, but there are people who already have bachelor's or master's degrees. It's not just a first step for some people, it's the third or fourth."
Blount said attendees included students, faculty, community members and those who had no direct connection with the Hamilton campus. He added he has been offended by a sense of "Oxford elitism" that seems to shine through in Oxford's dealings with regional campuses.
"The one thing that didn't surprise me is that this community has a very high regard for Miami University Hamilton and Miami University Middletown and we'd like to make sure that Oxford is aware of how highly they regard them," Blount said.
Stephen Snyder, executive assistant to President David Hodge, agreed the regional campuses are highly regarded and stressed the need to proceed carefully.
"The regional campuses are an absolute asset to Miami, they fill a very vital role. I think the introduction of more bachelor's degrees to the campuses will only enhance the regional campuses," Snyder said. "We are being very deliberative about this (since) we know that when you're trying to look strategically in the future it can raise concerns."
Plans for updating Miami University's regional campuses to better suit needs of the community have been in the works for almost a year, starting with a charge Provost Jeffrey Herbst issued Miami's Regional Campus Committee in October 2008.
Snyder explained the committee is looking to reduce the focus on associate degrees, not eliminate them.
"The university system of Ohio that has been developed would suggest that the regional campuses concentrate more on bachelor's degrees. We are still going to have associate degrees," Snyder said.
Claire Wagner, associate director of university communications also explained the pressure put on by state programs to add bachelor's degrees.
"They've added one bachelor of integrative studies degree and the state is hoping we can offer more bachelor's (degrees)," Wagner said.
Snyder explained both Miami's Hamilton and Middletown campuses offer three additional bachelor's degrees including a bachelor of nursing and two bachelor's in applied sciences.
Snyder said other potential decisions would deeply affect the way regional campuses currently operate. Snyder cited possible changes in budget and a change in the way faculty members are appointed.
"Right now, every faculty member is appointed in the same manner. If parts of the recommendation were carried out, there would be a change that faculty members would be appointed to Oxford campus and others would be appointed to the regional campus," Snyder said.
Snyder has been surprised with the reaction to combining all regional campus budgets.
"That has not been as contentious as I thought it would be," Snyder said. "I'm sure there are some people that are concerned that one campus could be favored over another."
According to Snyder, community influence and forums, such as the one held by Friends of Miami Hamilton, are important in the final decision for these upcoming changes to the regional campuses.
"Middletown Citizen's Advisory Committee has given a reaction to the report and we are waiting for the Hamilton's Citizen Advisory (Committee) and The Friends of Hamilton to complete their reaction by the end of July," Snyder said. "We are hoping to have made some decision that we would recommend, as a board, this fall."
Blount also explained the importance of Hamilton's mayor and planning director and a member of the Fairfield City Council's attendance at the meeting.
"They all spoke up right away and said that Miami University Middletown and Miami University Hamilton are important to the economic development and that bachelor's degrees aren't required by most businesses," Blount said.
