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<p class="MsoNormal">Dear Faculty and Staff,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I write this evening because it has been some time since I have provided you with an update on the plans for the EMPL academic programs, staff, and faculty. The EMPL faculty and staff are continuing to make progress on a timeline they are
setting. I can also report that I have had numerous meetings with subgroups of faculty who have expressed a desire to move to one of our three remaining academic departments, while others are considering creation of an independent academic program area. Still
others are weighing their options and having fruitful conversations with department heads and colleagues.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am also attaching my letter of January 20, which provides additional background on how I envision the EMPL faculty leading this process. The ultimate wishes of the EMPL faculty will determine the shared governance steps to be employed
next. Finally, I remain optimistic about the outcome as stated in my letter, which reads,<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in">“I am confident that our remaining three academic departments will be strengthened by the infusion of new EMPL staff, faculty, and student talent. I predict a renaissance for EDST, CPHS, and SPECS. The inclusion
of new colleagues will lead to expedited improvement of existing programs and the creation of new ones. Student demand and interest will increase and concerns about student credit hour generation will be in our past. New faculty collaborations will facilitate
faculty programs of research and scholarship, new and larger federal grants will be obtained, and our college’s impact on society will be scaled up. We will confirm our status as one of the most important institutions of its kind.”<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">There will be more to report in the weeks ahead.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Regards,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Randy<o:p></o:p></p>
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