1. Developing a new department culture
When programs merge
Dr. Aimee Shouse, Director
Liberal Arts and Sciences Program
Western Illinois University
Dr. William Hoon, Chair
Department of Broadcasting and Journalism

2. Western Illinois University -
Four year public university offering 65 undergraduate majors, 37 Masters degrees, 2 doctoral degrees, as well as numerous certificate and pre- professional programs.
Enrollment approximately 10,000 students
Traditional, residential main campus located in Macomb, IL
Metropolitan, non-residential campus located in Moline, IL, Quad Cities area.

3. Illinois Budget Woes
The state has not passed a full-year operating budget in over 18 months.
Several stop-gap measures have been passed to keep state colleges and universities open and to reimburse institutions for grants to low income students.
Makes long-term planning very difficult.
Creates uncertainty for students, especially low-income students.

4. When a budget is ultimately passed, cuts for higher education seem likely, if not inevitable.
Universities have been pressured to be more efficient, which for smaller institutions has meant looking at combining and eliminating smaller academic programs. Pressure has come from various fronts:
Governor and state legislature
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Boards of Trustees for individual institutions

5. Our Respective Situations
Broadcasting and Journalism
Liberal Arts and Sciences + 3 minors
Journalism was moved from the Department of English and Journalism, in the College of Arts and Sciences, to an existing Department of Broadcasting, in the College of Fine Arts and Communication. The Department of Broadcasting and Journalism was the result of the merger.
Three degree programs (African American Studies, Religious Studies, and Women’s Studies) in three departments were eliminated. Faculty were moved into one newly-created academic unit, anchored by an existing degree program: Liberal Arts and Sciences. The LAS programs had not previously been housed in a department, given their interdisciplinary nature.

6. Angst and gnashing of teeth ensued…
Reactions varied greatly, ranging from
Pleased (Broadcasting)
Resistant (Journalism)
Resigned (Women’s Studies)
Stunned (African American Studies)
Demoralized (Religious Studies).

7. Both emotional and practical challenges to chairing a newly merged department
Broadcasting and Journalism – merger occurred in Fall 2015.
Liberal Arts and Sciences + 3 minors – merger occurred Fall 2016.
Given the relatively short time frame, our presentation is less about “best practices” and more of a presentation on “lessons from the trenches.”

8. Identify similarities
Find connections between the disciplines

9. Identify similarities
Find connections between the disciplines
Revamp your mission statement and learning objectives

10. Recognize your Differences
Avoid thinking “that’s the way it has been…”
Redirect faculty so that you are moving forward

11. Cast a Vision
Find the potential for growth

12. Cast a Vision Find the potential for growth
Get people to work together

13. Decide What Stays and What Goes
Committees

14. Decide What Stays and What Goes
Committees
Class schedules

15. Decide What Stays and What Goes
Committees
Class schedules
Offices

16. Decide What Stays and What Goes
Committees
Class schedules
Offices
Classrooms

17. Decide What Stays and What Goes
Committees
Class schedules
Offices
Classrooms
Evaluating Faculty

18. Encourage Faculty
Establish reward structure

19. Encourage Faculty Establish reward structure
Make sure new faculty is on board to working in joint department

20. Identify Curricular Issues
Review curriculum

21. Identify Curricular Issues
Review curriculum
Consider realigning or eliminating

22. Identify Curricular Issues
Review curriculum
Consider realigning or eliminating
How to cover course offerings

23. Utilize Social Media Effectively
Popular way of distributing department information

24. Utilize Social Media Effectively
Popular way of distributing department information
Redesign website

25. Utilize Social Media Effectively
Popular way of distributing department information
Redesign website
What you will promote and emphasize

26. Get Students Involved in Promotion
Find ways to get faculty and students together
Guest speakers
Department picture
Department meeting
Awards banquet or dinner