2008 Woodie Awards
WCP moves toward entering College of Arts and Science
Vic Brotzman
Issue date: 8/24/07 Section: Campus
Western College hasn't been shaken up this much since it became a part of Miami University 33 years ago.
Now, with the beginning of the new school year, the program is trying to determine exactly what its future holds.
A committee was commissioned in March 2007 that was set to the task of reconstructing Western College into a brand new program that will join the College of Arts and Science (CAS) no later than the 2009-10 academic year.
This will be a major change from Western's independent status in the past. Originally the campus housed the Western College for Women, a separate institution, until being acquired by Miami in 1974.
It remained the Western College Program (WCP)-a school of interdisciplinary majors that lived and took classes together-until 2006 when the program lost its status as a separate division at the university.
Chris Myers, professor of interdisciplinary studies, is one of the co-chairmen on the committee. He said that the committee is still on track with the goals it established at meetings in April and during the summer break, and is prepared to move forward.
"We know we want to have topical conversations throughout the year," Myers said. "The next step is for committee members to shape the forums where we can gather feedback from people."
Myers said nothing is set in stone as to an agenda yet, but the group had their first organizational meeting Thursday, Aug. 23.
Myers added he hopes the entire university community, including alumni, will voice their opinions for the future of the program.
"The main positive outcome we're looking for is for people to stay engaged and as we come up with a calendar (of planned actions), I hope we can have a lot of participation from the entire Miami community," he said.
Myers noted, however, that alumni reactions had been mixed.
"I think it's a small minority that has written Miami off (following the decision to close WCP), but there are those on the other side rallying for support to make this something Miami can be proud of," Myers said.
Now, with the beginning of the new school year, the program is trying to determine exactly what its future holds.
A committee was commissioned in March 2007 that was set to the task of reconstructing Western College into a brand new program that will join the College of Arts and Science (CAS) no later than the 2009-10 academic year.
This will be a major change from Western's independent status in the past. Originally the campus housed the Western College for Women, a separate institution, until being acquired by Miami in 1974.
It remained the Western College Program (WCP)-a school of interdisciplinary majors that lived and took classes together-until 2006 when the program lost its status as a separate division at the university.
Chris Myers, professor of interdisciplinary studies, is one of the co-chairmen on the committee. He said that the committee is still on track with the goals it established at meetings in April and during the summer break, and is prepared to move forward.
"We know we want to have topical conversations throughout the year," Myers said. "The next step is for committee members to shape the forums where we can gather feedback from people."
Myers said nothing is set in stone as to an agenda yet, but the group had their first organizational meeting Thursday, Aug. 23.
Myers added he hopes the entire university community, including alumni, will voice their opinions for the future of the program.
"The main positive outcome we're looking for is for people to stay engaged and as we come up with a calendar (of planned actions), I hope we can have a lot of participation from the entire Miami community," he said.
Myers noted, however, that alumni reactions had been mixed.
"I think it's a small minority that has written Miami off (following the decision to close WCP), but there are those on the other side rallying for support to make this something Miami can be proud of," Myers said.
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