CF Announces Academic Reorganization Strategy
May 22, 2012
The College of Central Florida has enjoyed significant enrollment increases over the past four years and at the same time has experienced budget challenges as a result of reductions in state allocations. CF is committed to operating in an efficient and effective manner and responding to the needs of both our students and the communities we serve.
In recent meetings with area K-12 education leaders in the college’s three-county service area, Dr. James Henningsen, CF president, said, “It’s time we take a hard look at the programs we offer adult students compared to similar programs offered by our partners and decide how to restructure our instruction to avoid duplication and continually examine the best use of limited resources.”
During the upcoming academic year the college will reorganize the Academic Affairs division. With that change, some programs will be consolidated, moved or phased out due to low enrollment, diminishing budgets, nearby duplication of degree programs, and decreased career opportunities for graduates in certain fields. The programs affected by this reorganization are Cosmetology and Barbering, Welding, Drafting and Design Technology and Practical Nursing.
According to Dr. Mark Paugh, vice president of Academic Affairs, “Cosmetology and Barbering are duplicated programs with Community Technical and Adult Education in Marion County and Withlacoochee Technical Institute in Citrus County. Financial resources and facilities are to be redirected to address high priority college programs.” Enrollment of new students in the program would be stopped beginning in summer 2012. Currently enrolled students should plan to complete their respective program by December 2012. Faculty positions will be evaluated based upon qualifications and either reassigned or eliminated at the end of fall semester 2012.
Welding is a duplicated program with CTAE in Marion County and WTI in Citrus County. Because of job growth in Levy County, the welding program at the Ocala Campus will be moved to new facilities at the Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus in Chiefland. A faculty position will be reassigned to the Levy Center.
The Drafting and Design Technology program has experienced low student enrollment and low employment demand from the community. Additionally, a community-based needs assessment reinforced suspending the program. Admission of new students to this program will be stopped immediately and currently enrolled students will be encouraged to complete or transition to a compatible program at the college.
CTAE has notified CF that it is interested in initiating a Practical Nursing certificate program. CF supports CTAE’s proposal and has recommended closing the P.N. certificate program at CF effective with December 2012 graduation. Resources from the P.N. certificate program will be reallocated to support high demand academic needs at the college including the Associate in Science (R.N.) nursing program, which is one of CF’s strongest degree offerings.
"The College of Central Florida continues to put the needs of our community at the forefront while making wise investment of the limited resources entrusted to us,” said Henningsen. “While we have made some difficult decisions, we are committed to doing what is best for our students and the communities we serve.”
