University of Evansville Board of Trustees Approves Institutional Realignment Plan

Evansville, IN (03/12/2021) — Earlier today, the University of Evansville Board of Trustees met to consider comprehensive changes across academic, athletics, and administrative departments including updates to the previously announced academic realignment plan.

The Board of Trustees amended the motion from the Executive Committee to ensure the three majors proposed for elimination (Art History, Philosophy, and Religion) go to the Curriculum Committee and the Faculty Senate for their recommendation to the president prior to the board formally considering their elimination. Trustees voted unanimously to approve the overall institutional realignment plan, as amended.

Since the academic realignment plan was announced last December, Trustees have received frequent updates on the plan, including hearing about the many academic proposals submitted by faculty. As they consistently do each year, Trustees have also reviewed and considered multiple options for lowering costs and increasing revenues across the University.

Hearing concerns about the cost of athletics, the Trustees and administration spent time undertaking a deep dive into financials and considering whether a change to Division II or III would be a wise move for UE. While similar reviews have been conducted in the past, University President Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz said, "It was important for our Trustees to review the current revenues and expenses associated with athletics and consider the best option for UE. Looking at the data and taking into account changes in scholarships and room and board policies that make the program nearly breakeven, Trustees concluded that continuing to compete in Division I is the right decision for UE."

Chair Linda White noted, "The Trustees encouraged President Pietruszkiewicz and his team to bring long-term change to our academic programs and across the University. We recognize that these decisions have created difficult conversations across the University community, and we are pleased that so many creative plans submitted by faculty were able to be included. This plan secures UE's future as a comprehensive university with a strong liberal arts core and provides the financial stability needed to invest in our students, faculty, staff, and academic programs."

"Resolving the University's financial deficit required some challenging but necessary changes to adapt UE to meet the needs of tomorrow's students," added Trustee Bob Jones. "We now ask that the entire campus community come together to recruit students, create a positive campus experience, and move UE forward toward restoration and growth. "

"Our Trustees have remained actively engaged the last few months, supporting the need for change and helping to make it possible through their relationships in and around UE and through their financial support," said Pietruszkiewicz. "As always, we appreciate the role they continue to play in shaping UE for generations of students to come."