You asked whether UConn’s provost violated any state law or university policy in deciding to (1) merge the School of Family Studies into the College of Arts and Sciences, (2) move the School of Allied Health to the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (most programs, e. g. , nutrition, pathobiology, outreach) and the Neag School of Education (physical therapy), and (3) turn the College of Continuing Studies into a division that reports to a vice provost.

Provost Peter Nicholls does not appear to have violated any state law or published university policy in proposing this restructuring, which is subject to approval by the university’s board of trustees, By law, the trustees are responsible for “determining the general policies of the university, including those concerning the admission of students and the establishment of schools, colleges, divisions, and departments…” (CGS § 10a-104). UConn’s by-laws also state that the board determines policies governing the establishment of new schools and colleges (Art. I, § 1).

While no published university by-law or policy speaks specifically to the process for a school’s disestablishment, the by-laws require UConn’s president to bring all actions involving degree programs and the structure of schools and colleges to the board of trustees for its approval (Art. VII, § 3p).

Under the by-laws, the provost and executive vice president for academic affairs is the university’s chief operating officer. He is responsible to the president for guidance and general supervision of the programs directly assigned to him or the organizational components that report to him. The provost coordinates and supervises (1) all of the university’s instruction and research programs and (2) policy formulation for and administration of all schools, colleges, divisions, institutes, and regional campuses. The provost’s specifically enunciated duties include:

1. studying and promoting activities in the university components under his supervision that will result in effective educational and research programs and

2. eliminating, if possible, “unnecessary overlapping and duplication in the offerings, functions, and services” of the university’s academic parts (Art. VIII, §§ A. 1, E. 1, E. 2i, E. 3. b).

The provost announced his proposed changes to faculty and staff on November 2, 2005 and presented them to the trustees on November 15. Following that meeting, he sent a letter to faculty and staff stating that (1) several people had addressed the board’s Academic Affairs Committee and the full board on the proposal and (2) the board had recommended he work toward the proposed changes in consultation with relevant faculty, staff, and students. The provost’s letter said he would engage, both before and after the board’s January 31 meeting (when he will present the proposal for approval), in “extensive consultation” with affected parties on “macro” and “micro” matters to be determined. He also pledged to work out many details, like curricula and administrative concerns, with faculty, staff, and student committees during the spring semester. The provost’s plan currently calls for implementing the changes on July 1, 2006.

Provost Nicholls’ proposal is not the UConn administration’s first attempt at restructuring the schools of Family Studies and Allied Health. In 1993, after studying many budget-cutting measures, UConn proposed closing them both. Significant public outcry led the university to drop the proposal. Several years ago, the two schools, plus the schools of Pharmacy and Nursing, were placed under the supervision of a single dean, but this structure was abandoned last year, according to Scott Brohinsky, UConn’s legislative liaison.

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