FSU to combine 2 of its colleges in summer 2023. Here's why and what will (or won't) change
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In less than two months, Florida State University’s College of Education and College of Health and Human Sciences will be joining forces as plans are being made to merge them into one combined college.
While the combination of the colleges has a target date of July 1, it will also get a new name that will be recommended by a faculty task force before receiving approval from FSU President Richard McCullough and the university’s Faculty Senate.
“The realignment of these units creates opportunities to support the research, teaching and service mission of the university through combined expertise and resources,” FSU’s Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Clark said in a prepared statement. He made the announcement about the plan on May 3.
“By taking this action, we will create a strong single entity that is in the best interest of both colleges — today and far into the future,” he added.
Some of the benefits of the expansion would be opportunities for research collaboration, additional resources for students, faculty and staff and the new college’s contributions to the university’s goals that include the FSU Health initiative — an initiative that aims to transform health care delivery in North Florida while creating better care options, jobs, educational opportunities and research.
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Prior to the decision, Clark shared the expansion proposal with stakeholders from both colleges, university administrators and McCullough to come to an agreement about the future move.
“We’ve seen several prominent universities like Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia with similarly structured colleges capitalize on their interdisciplinary research synergies, and we are confident this move will strengthen us for the future,” McCullough told the Tallahassee Democrat.
Although the college will be getting a new name, some factors that will remain the same are the buildings that will be used for the new college’s operations that are currently associated with the two separate colleges — including the Stone Building, William Johnston Building, Sandels Building and the Tully Gym.
In addition, the same degrees and majors will continue to be offered through the new college along with six academic units that already exist at the College of Education and College of Health and Human Sciences:
Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies
Department of Educational Psychology & Learning Systems
Department of Human Development & Family Science
Department of Nutrition & Integrative Physiology
School of Teacher Education
Department of Sport Management
Students who currently make up the two colleges will be able to continue their regular studies while being eligible for more financial aid resources. University officials anticipate they will have access to over $1 million in scholarship funding in the first year of the new college’s operation.
In the spring, 2,310 students were enrolled in the College of Education while 1,719 were enrolled in the College of Health and Human Sciences, according to an FSU spokesperson.
FSU will also invest both recurring and one-time funding to support the transition into the new initiative.
While FSU’s Damon Andrew currently serves as the dean of the College of Education and interim dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, he will become the inaugural dean of the combined college once it is officially established.
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“During my time serving both colleges this academic year, I have noticed so many opportunities for collaboration and synergy that would benefit not only the many constituents in both colleges but society at large,” Andrew said in a release. “I very much look forward to capitalizing on the increased opportunities for research, teaching and engagement that a combined college will be poised to provide.”
The task forces for the college’s new name will be appointed by Andrew and will also develop new policies and procedures for the expansion as the university proceeds with the initiative.
Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on twitter @tarahjean_.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU plans to merge Colleges of Education, Health and Human Sciences
