Contents:
Home
  1. The President's Address 
    1. Content of the Address
    2. The Address in the News
    3. State and Federal Parallels
    4. How the President has Responded
  2. The Restructuring of the College of Arts & Sciences and the Proper Role of the Arts & Humanities [now on its own page]
    1. Views of the Administration
    2. Situation within the College
      1. The Dean
      2. The History Department
      3. An External Review!?
    3. The Role of the Arts & Humanities and "Global Competitiveness"
  3. University Budget Reallocation, Policies, and Impact of the Strategic Plan [now on its own page]
    1. Budget "Reallocation" Plans
    2. Policies and the Impact of the Strategic Plan
    3. UT STEMM and the Corporate Model
    4. Solar Energy - a "Strategic Goal"
    5. Intermodal Transportation - a "Strategic Goal"
    6. Student Centered?
    7. Who Decides?
  4. Seeking Synthesis: All the issues start to come together... [NEW!]
  5. Additional Materials
  6. Discussions
  7. Associated Movements
  8. Stories We Aren't Covering

The Restructuring of Arts & Sciences and the Proper Role of Arts & Humanities


The Views of the Administration
The College of Arts & Sciences January Newsletter External Link Jan. 2008
This is the newsletter of the College ofArts & Sciences administration, outlining the "SHARE" campaign, and the creation of groups like FYASSA and UTASSC, in the pursuit of student centeredness and becoming one of the top 50-100 Colleges of Arts & Sciences in the nation.
Collegian: Dean talks state of college. External Link Mar. 20, 2008
The story describing the nature and content of the Annual Address of the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, and some students' reactions.
Blade: UT begins push to improve ranking among U.S. Colleges External Link Mar. 23, 2008
While this article does not directly touch upon the College of Arts & Sciences, the claim that we need to change in order to become more globally competitive and nationally recognized is the most often used justification for the many restructurings and reallocations now underway - particularly those faced by the College of Arts & Sciences.
Economic Development and a Liberal Education External Link Mar. 28, 2008
An interesting article by Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, Dr. Yue-Ting Lee, published in the Toledo Free Press.

Collegian: Dean Lee holds Student Forum External Link Apr. 7, 2008
A description of the nature and reactions of those attending a student forum hosted by Dr. Yueh-Ting Lee, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, following the Collegian article that noted many students' desire for an opportunity to ask questions and engage in dialogue after the Dean's State of the College Address.
UT News: President voices support for liberal arts, welcomes student input External Link May 12, 2008
This article describes the recent contentious Town Hall meeting in which a number of students protested and voiced their concerns. It argues that Dr. Jacobs cares about the Liberal Arts and is glad that students care so much about their education.
Collegian: Jacobs answers students External Link Jul. 28, 2008
Describes the Town Hall of July 17th, the questions that were raised and the responses Dr. Jacobs and Provost Haggett provided. Students complained about not having enough time to ask questions, though Dr. Jacobs did graciously extend the set-aside 10 minutes for questions to 30 minutes. Haggett is quoted: "[The president] suggested that we continue the dialog by making sure everyone gets answers to their questions, [. . .] I think the president offered to have a third party do an analysis of their questions, so I think there's a willingness to certainly try to get to share factual knowledge with the university community, including the students,".
Situation within the College
The Dean
Toledo Free Press: SHAREd vision External Link Mar. 21, 2008
This ancient article, following a State of the College Address delivered by former Dean Yueh-Ting Lee and introduced by current interim Dean Nina McClelland, gives one viewpoint on the way things were at that time.

Collegian: Restructuring calls Dean into Question External Link Apr. 3, 2008
A description and analysis of the announcement of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences that various departments should combine into "Schools" by July 1st.
Collegian, Letter to the Editor: Vote against Dean is important External Link Apr. 7, 2008
A Letter to the Editor from Dr. Renee Heberle, Professor of Philosophy, clarifying and offering reasons for her statements in a previous Collegian article in support of the proposed Vote of No Confidence in College of Arts & Sciences Dean Dr. Yueh-Ting Lee
Collegian: Faculty Senate demands input. External Link Apr. 10, 2008
Discusses the resolution from the most recent Faculty Senate meeting, which calls for much more transparency in the administration's planning processes. The Faculty feel that it is not only unfair that plans are made known to them only after they are finalized, but that it in fact goes against the University's agreement with the Faculty Union, which requires that all changes to curriculum be approved by the Faculty Senate.
Blade: Faculty group declares lack of confindence in UT dean. External Link Apr. 16, 2008
This Blade article describes the vote, positioning the Arts & Sciences Council as a rogue group that holds an opinion shared by few on UT's campus.
Collegian: Faculty votes No Confidence in Dean. External Link Apr. 17, 2008
Describes the Vote of No Confidence, what it means, the reasons behind it, and some highlights from the meeting leading up to the decision.
Collegian Editorial Board: Confidence in Vote. External Link Apr. 17, 2008
In this Opinion, the Collegian asserts that Dr. Lee is an amicable and respectable person, but agrees with the decision of the Arts and Sciences Council, and encourages administrators to take notice and strive to be more transparent, as "UT's faculty members and its students will not take disrespect and failed leadership laying down."
Collegian Editorial Board: Beat it, Betz. External Link Apr. 17, 2008
In this Opinion, the Collegian describes what many considered a rant - the outburst of Former Student Government President Mike Betz in support of Dean Lee. The Opinion claims that Betz's contribution did not reflect well on himself or the student body, and encourages him to no longer purport to represent anyone but himself.
Collegian: SG Senate wraps up year External Link Apr. 24, 2008
Discusses two resolutions passed by Student Government Senate in its last meeting of the semester: one expressing disapproval of any strict deadlines, such as the July 1st deadline for the restructuring of the College of Arts and Sciences.
And a resolution requesting that President Jacobs, like faculty, offer three weekly office hours where students can set an appointment and disucuss their ideas or concerns with him, as a measure of student centeredness.
WTOL 11: "Emotional and difficult" time for UT Liberal Arts Program External Link May 9, 2008
This video is WTOL 11's coverage of the meeting between President Jacobs, Provost Haggett, and the Arts and Sciences Council. While the title of the clip neglects the fact that an entire college is at risk, not merely a single program, the actual reporting brings many facets to light, such as how odd it is that the administration would demand an external audit when the University is so pressed for money - and in fact requiring so many changes on the basis of tightening its belt.
Blade: Look at UT's Arts and Sciences sought External Link May 10, 2008
The most neutral article the Blade has yet published! It gives an additional perspective on the meeting between the administration and the Arts & Sciences Council, and expresses the atmosphere between the parties that is likely not allowing for real communication.
Must Read! Collegian: Jacobs, council talk dean External Link May 12, 2008
Describes the meeting between Dr. Jacobs, Dr. Haggett and the Arts & Sciences Council the previous Friday, in which the two parties discussed the No Confidence Vote against Dr. Lee. Dr. Jacobs announced that they would have a third party company come in to evaluate the College of Arts & Sciences to understand why this vote had passed, and what to do next; though such a company will not be chosen for several weeks.
Interestingly, several media outlets showed up in the large room for what was to be a small-group meeting with the Main Campus Provost, though, according to UT PR, no media were notified of the event. Additionally, both Dr. Jacobs and Dr. Haggett did not anticipate the meeting running over an hour, and thus had to leave in order to attend other meetings promptly at 3pm.
Blade: UT arts, sciences dispute simmers as review nears External Link May 25, 2008
This article reports on the process for the external audit of the College, and the rationales behind and reactions to it. It misrepresents a few facts, such as how "The committee was to identify at least three qualified candidates and sent the provost four names, all of whom received at least a two-thirds majority vote." - this is factually true, but worded in a misleading fashion, so as to leave out the fact that the committee selected and submitted three names, and were insistently instructed to come back with a panel of four names - Dr. Lee being the fourth... They do, however, make the very good point that "With so many diverse interests and the college being the largest at UT, it's not surprising that people are passionate about what happens there."
Must Read! Collegian: E-mail exchange exposed External Link Jul. 7, 2008
This article covers the emails recently released by the "Save A&S" student movement, that reveal what many identify as disregard by President Jacobs and Main Campus Provost Rosemary Haggett when they were faced with the vote of No-Confidence against Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences Yueh-Ting Lee. In these emails, available on our site, the two discuss metaphorically "throwing [Lee] under the bus" but ultimately decide not to do so lest they "reward" the "bad behavior [of] the A&S folk."
Collegian Editorial Board: E-Mails fuel controversy External Link Jul. 7, 2008
This opinion piece responds to the recently released emails, noting that the most important facet they reveal is Dr. Jacobs' and Dr. Haggett's [if not others'] cavalier disregard for principles of shared governance.
(UToday): Leaders address recently released emais External Link Jul. 11, 2008
President Jacobs and Main Campus Provost Haggett have released a letter reasserting their commitment to public service, and their wholehearted compliance in all public information requests. The letter apologizes to those who may have experienced any "distress" due to the "colloquial" phrases employed in their correspondence. Itis worth noting that the first UToday email, sent to all, highlighted this story, and includes much more acknowledgement of the worth and accomplishments of UT's Arts and Humanities programs and faculty than has previously been seen.
Must Read! Letter from Provost Haggett regarding Yueh-Ting Lee's Transition External Link Jul. 16, 2008
In this letter, Main Campus Provost Rosemary Haggett, describes the transition of Dr. Yueh-Ting Lee from Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences to "Associate Vice President for Analysis and Assessment in the Department of Human Resources", effective September 19, 2008.
Toledo Free Press: UT College of Arts and Sciences Dean resigns. External Link Jul. 16, 2008
The report in the Toledo Free Press regarding Dr. Lee's resignation and transition to a new position.
Toledo Free Press: UT Arts and Sciences Dean Y-T Lee resigns. External Link Jul. 18, 2008
\ The same story, with more info, and Dr. Jacobs' mantra of "staying the course" and "executing the strategic plan".
Collegian: Dean resigns: Lee will take new job at UT External Link Jul. 28, 2008
Announces the resignation and transition of Dr. Lee and some of the history and controversy that led to this point. One of Lee's new responsibilities will be "being a psychologist who will be directly involved when faculty members, staffs (sic) or students perceive they are being threatened".
Collegian Forum: A homegrown leader is needed. External Link Jul. 28, 2008
Ken Evans, a senior majoring in Political Science, asserts that while National Searches and fresh ideas are usually helpful, for stability and trust, the next Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences should be selected from within.
Collegian Editorial Board: Opportunity available to all in dean vacancy External Link Jul. 28, 2008
This Opinion piece encourages the UT community to view the vacancy in the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences position as a grand opportunity to renew communications and understandings between administrators, faculty, staff, and students, and exhorts all people to get meaningfully involved in the search for the next Dean, and in the future of the College.
Blade: UT names interim dean of arts and sciences college External Link Aug. 13, 2008
A relatively short article announcing Dr. Nina McClelland, 78, as the new Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
UT News: Provost announces interim dean for the College of Arts and Sciences External Link Aug. 13, 2008
Announces McClelland as the interim dean and describes her expected role in the one-year interim and assessment period.
Blade: UT college of arts gets interim boss External Link Aug. 14, 2008
This longer article describes Dr. McClelland's history and experience, and some reactions to her appointment.
Must Read! Collegian: CAS Summer in Review External Link Aug. 25, 2008
An excellent summary of the key points of the summer, particularly surrounding the developments around the situation in the College of Arts and Sciences, but touching on a majority of the issues.
Collegian: 'Call me Nina,', new dean says External Link Aug. 28, 2008
This report describes the interim dean and the perspectives of students both within and outside of the College of Arts and Sciences on this appointment.
Collegian Editorial Board: McClelland is right for job External Link Aug. 28, 2008
This Opinion asserts much hope in McClelland, and describes some of the qualities she must exhibit to be most successful in her role at this important time.
UT News: Arts and Sciences Council meets interim dean, discusses upcoming assessment External Link Sep. 2, 2008
Details more of McClelland's history at UT, and the thoughts of the Arts and Sciences Council regarding who should be involved in the upcoming assessment of the College, as well as other small announcements.
The History Department
Collegian: Problems plague History External Link Apr. 7, 2008
This story chronicles the whole history of the problems, internal and external, the History Department has faced and hopes for effective solutions.
Collegian Editorial Board: History Deparment malaise. External Link Apr. 7, 2008
An Opinion from the Collegian on the many potential meanings and outcomes of the difficulties faced by the History Department.
(This article could also fit under the heading of "The Role of the Arts & Humanities".)
Collegian: History woes continue. External Link Apr. 10, 2008
This article follows up on the earlier Collegian article, focusing this time on the impact felt by students. The fact that there are so few available professors to teach students is leading to a troubling reliance on graduate and visiting professors, and making it difficult for many students, within and outside of the department, to obtain the history courses they need to graduate. Many are beginning to feel neglected, and to ask - if this is the meaning of student centeredness, which students are being focused on?
Collegian, Letter to the Editor External Link Apr. 10, 2008
An Opinion piece from Dr. Larry Wilcox, Professor of History, responding to the Monday, April 7th article by correcting some facts, and then moving on to argue that perhaps the money needed to search for a new Chair would be better spent getting some much needed, tenure-track faculty to teach all the necessary classes. This must be attended to first, he claims, rather than obtaining a new administrator who will not be able to alleviate the courseload him/herself.
Toledo Free Press, Letter to the Editor: Defining Education External Link Apr. 20, 2008
This second of two relevant Letters to the Editor, written by History student Tom Morrissey, expresses his feeling that with the low value the administration places on the Arts & Humanities, and especially history, he should likely get a partial refund on his tuition!
An External Review!?
Collegian Forum: College review is ill-conceived External Link Jun. 9, 2008
In this letter to the editor, Dr. Heberle expresses why she sees the external review of the entire College of Arts & Sciences is not only an inappropriate response to the Vote of No Confidence but is thoroughly insulting to the many individuals who have made careful efforts to respectfully get their voices heard.
Blade: University of Toledo college of arts, sciences will have external review External Link Aug. 19, 2008
The report of the Blade on the review, in which Provost Haggett encourages moving forward with "implementing the strategic plan" (emphasis ours -- the question is which strategic plan, that of the College or the University), and the potential usefullness of this review, despite its bulk and "$75,900" cost, to help the college better understand itself and implement the College's strategic plan. (Note that the difference between them was minimized by a project early in the 2007-2008 academic year in which all colleges had to rework their strategic plans to follow the structure and terminology of the University Strategic Plan: see the Strategic Plan section of the site for more info on this.)
UT News: Officials update trustees on Arts and Sciences strategic assessment External Link Aug. 27, 2008
Names the firm that will perform the assessment and what various administrators and officials hope to get out of the assessment.
UT News: Provost names members to college strategic assessment steering committee External Link Aug. 29, 2008
Lists the 5 individuals Main Campus Provost Rosemary Haggett has selected to lead the assessment process, as well as to select 30 others to form a visioning roundtable.
Collegian: CAS study to begin next week External Link Sep. 8, 2008
Details the Learning Alliance, the firm that will guide the external review process, the steering committee that has been chosen and the many different perspectives on what may come out of this assessment and how it should be used.
Collegian Editorial Board: An $80,000 Opportunity External Link Sep. 8, 2008
This Opinion encourages all to take advantage of this opportunity to make ourselves better, but also cautions that this should be only one part of a long and well-considered process of decision-making for UT's future.
The Role of the Arts & Humanities and "Global Competitiveness"
Blade: UT students show their reel-life experiences at first annual film event External Link Apr. 3, 2008
An example of UT's arts and humanities in the news. This article describes the uncUT first-year film festival. [Note that this is actually at least the third time this festival has occurred].
Collegian, Letter to the Editor: Valuable Humanities External Link Apr. 7, 2008
Med student Mariam Qureshi, founder of the Medical Humanities Association student group on the HSC, responds to some of the negative reactions she received from certain of her colleagues, affirming the value and importance of the Humanities - even for STEMM students.
Collegian Editorial Board: Assembly Line Diversity. External Link Apr. 10, 2008
The Collegian Editorial Board reflects on the importance and impact of the current Diversity Week, and casts suspicion on the ability of future UT students to enjoy the same deep interaction and understanding if the Liberal Arts come under the ax as planned.
Blade: UT's "Bat Boy" explores theme of intolerance External Link Apr. 10, 2008
An example of UT's arts and humanities in the news. This article describes the productions available at the end of the Theatre seasons of local colleges and universities.
Toledo Free Press: Education touted for economic, social revitalization. External Link Apr. 11, 2008
This article discusses the uses of Higher Education as a way to boost the local economy by UT, BGSU, and Owens Community College.
Collegian: A degree and so much more External Link Apr. 24, 2008
This columnist expresses her experience at UT and what she has valued most.
Collegian Letter to the Editor: Ode to my Department External Link Apr. 24, 2008
Hannah Fritch, Sophomore in Film, speaks of her love for the Center for Performing Arts and its programs, and argues that they well represent the stated aims of the University, and deserve to remain and be strengthened.
Toledo Free Press: BGSU forms partnership with two Chinese universities External Link May 30, 2008
Announces BGSU's new partnership with peers in China, inspired by what they feel is required of them to be meaningful and competitive as a university.
Blade: Ohio plunges in ranking for science and technology External Link Jun. 22, 2008
This article discusses a recent report that demonstrates how Ohio is below the national average in terms of science and technology [firms and development. Dr. Jacobs is quoted as not being surprised by these findings and emphasizing the importance of helping Ohio transition from manufacturing to technology. Interestingly, the picture accompanying the article is of Gov. Strickland visiting the Xunlight Corpration, the best known of UT's spin-off firms.
Toledo Free Press: Physician shortage impacts Northwest Ohio External Link Jun. 27, 2008
Explains the many factors contributing to the increasing lack of physicians in NWO, and what the College of Medicine aims to do to remedy this problem.
Toledo Free Press: UT expands energy incubators to attract new business startups External Link Jun. 27, 2008
Another article highlighting UT's successful spin-off corporations and hopes to thus revitalize the economy of NWO.
(UToday): UT president discusses importance of broad, multidisciplinary education External Link Jul. 11, 2008
In this mp3-recorded speech made at the Jamie Farr Open, Dr. Jacobs approves of Governor Strickland's "New GI bill" and reflects on how a broad, multidisciplinary education greatly impacted and enriched his life following his service in the military.


Do you have comments, questions, documents, or links you would like to contribute to this site? Consider posting thoughts on our open blog, or send them to us via utvoices@gmail.com.

The University of Toledo Disclaimer: This page and the Student Movement are in no way sponsored by or affiliated with the University of Toledo, its sponsors, parents, or affiliates, and any opinions expressed on this site do not necessarily represent those of UT or its leadership. This page is owned and operated by the Our UT, Our Future Student Movement and all works posted on this site not attributed to other authors are protected by US and International ©2008. Permission is hereby granted to the visitors of this site to print, copy, and distribute freely any work found on this site that falls under the aforementioned copyright or is clearly within the public domain, to anyone who is a student, faculty, staff, or alumnus/a of UT, or any local community member. All other rights reserved.