RWC Interim Dean Don O’Meara, who, along with Professor Janice Denton had represented Raymond Walters in two subcommittees that reported to the Collegiate Restructuring Steering Committee, was “very pleased” with the announcement by UC Provost Anthony Perzigian that he was accepting the recommendations made by the University Collegiate Restructuring Committee. O’Meara said there were three critical important outcomes from the work by the committee. Number One: He said Raymond Walters will remain a college with separate and full departments, staff, and dean. As the spring quarter of last year unfolded, there was a lot of speculation that RWC would be absorbed into various colleges on the Uptown Campus, and it was very exciting to hear this would not be the case.
Dean O’Meara said it was very important that the College will “stay a college to better serve the students and community.”
Number Two: The programs and degrees currently offered at Raymond Walters, some only offered at Raymond Walters, will remain. According to Dean O’Meara, this is an important reassurance to students and staff who are working in these programs. He stressed that all associate degree programs will remain. However, the University of Ohio Strategic Plan has proposed that more baccalaureate programs be offered through Raymond Walters. It remains to be seen how this part of the recommendations will unfold.
RWC staff are very excited to see what programs can be offered here at the College, but Dean O’Meara said careful planning still remains to determine how and what programs can be offered at Raymond Walters in the future.
Number Three: Originally, one of the goals of the committees was to work towards unifying the University of Cincinnati. It had been proposed that Raymond Walters become simply a regional campus rather than a college, but another plan was agreed upon that will work towards unifying the university even more. All colleges will move to unify the curriculum of the university. Whether at Raymond Walters, UC-Clermont, or at the Uptown Campus, English, Psychology, and other courses will have the same curriculum. Dean O’Meara remarked that “if it’s the same course, it should be the same course.” No matter the location, the curriculum will be the same.
This is all a part of the move to semesters, which is currently estimated to begin in the fall of 2012. Dean O’Meara also assured students that the professors are working extensively on reworking the curriculum to fit in these new designs, and he insisted that they were definitely not taking the easy way out. The professors are, “transforming the curriculum for the benefit of the students.