In a meeting Tuesday, Marvin Malecha, the dean of the College of Design, announced the merging of the graphic and industrial design departments into one.
After alluding to turmoil within the University, Malecha verified that budget cuts were the reason for the marriage of the two departments. The College of Design had to plan for up to an $870 thousand loss in funding, which was a challenge for the administrators, Malecha said.
“We handled it like designers would,” he said. “We asked the basic questions over again, ‘what can we improve?’ We had to design a new system.”
Addressing student concern, Malecha was quick to tell students there will be no changes to the degrees they receive. “Degree titles hold, we are not changing that,” he said. “We are simply bringing them under one umbrella.”
Drew Brisley, a sophomore in industrial design, said he wasn’t concerned about the changes, citing confidence in the administration to make good decisions.
“I know they have the best interests of the students in mind, so I’m not worried,” Brisley said. “But I definitely am anxious.”
Engin Kapkin, a graduate student in industrial design, said he wasn’t fretting over the changes either..
“Classes won’t change, so I’m not worried. I just hope to see how things will go,” he said.
The only academic change made under the new system is the inclusion of “cross-over classes.” Malecha said many design classes within different departments were focusing on the same core values, so the idea to merge those classes would cut costs.
Students expressed concerns regarding the availability of physical resources with increased class sizes, but Malecha assured those in the auditorium that those issues likely wouldn’t come to fruition.
“Our problem is found with under-enrollment, not over,” he said. “If we run into problems, we will find a solution to ensure you have the resources you need.”
The College of Design cut back on spending by reconfiguring administrative positions instead of cutting into student resources, Malecha said.
Malecha explained to students that decisions made regarding reconfigurations make a difference now, and in the future.
“We want to make this experience now, excellent. That’s why we made the cuts we did,” he said. “You are here at a great time, but we also are looking three to five years ahead.”
When students asked why they were left out of the decision-making process concerning budget cuts, Malecha said there was still time.
“The plan we have now allows for manipulation and change, so students can still have an impact,” he said. Malecha said he would be open to host multiple Dinner with the Dean events, instead of one annual event, to increase student involvement. The dinner is a meal where students can speak with the dean about any issues and concerns they might have within the college.
Malecha insisted the college is excited about the year to come.
“We have a wonderful faculty, and great students. So we have had come challenges, so what?” he said. “I’m actually excited about the prospects.”