Spring Break
Miami waits for community input on regional campus changes
Amanda Seitz
Issue date: 6/19/09 Section: Front Page
|
The report, available at http://www.ham.muohio.edu, included proposals such as combining budgets for all regional campuses, reducing the number of associate degrees and appointing faculty directly to regional campuses.
The Friends of Miami Hamilton group held a community forum June 30 at the Lane Library Administrative Center in Hamilton to openly discuss the issues, recommendations and changes that lie ahead for all Miami's regional campuses.
Jim Blount, founder of the Friends of Miami Hamilton group, said more than 60 people attended the meeting. Blount cited the possibility of eliminating or reducing associate degree as a point of frustration for many.
"They don't want them (associate degrees) eliminated," Blount said. "What people are pointing out is that not only do people get associate degrees for the first step, but there are people who already have bachelor's or master's degrees. It's not just a first step for some people, it's the third or fourth."
Blount said attendees included students, faculty, community members and those who had no direct connection with the Hamilton campus. He added he has been offended by a sense of "Oxford elitism" that seems to shine through in Oxford's dealings with regional campuses.
"The one thing that didn't surprise me is that this community has a very high regard for Miami University Hamilton and Miami University Middletown and we'd like to make sure that Oxford is aware of how highly they regard them," Blount said.
Stephen Snyder, executive assistant to President David Hodge, agreed the regional campuses are highly regarded and stressed the need to proceed carefully.
"The regional campuses are an absolute asset to Miami, they fill a very vital role. I think the introduction of more bachelor's degrees to the campuses will only enhance the regional campuses," Snyder said. "We are being very deliberative about this (since) we know that when you're trying to look strategically in the future it can raise concerns."
Be the first to comment on this story