In a move to further streamline college administration and cut costs, ASU announced on Wednesday plans to merge the design school with the Herberger College and consolidate the University’s education programs.

Under the plan, the College of Design’s administration will be combined with the Katherine K. Herberger College of the Arts, and the School of Geographical Sciences and the School of Planning will be integrated into the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The plan also includes details for creating the Mary Lou Fulton Institute and Graduate School of Education, as well as linking administrations for all teacher preparation programs university-wide.

With slashes affecting education budgets statewide, one of the benefits of this round of academic reorganization is the $2.7 million it will save the University by fiscal year 2010.

Melissa Budzak, an art education undergraduate, said this makes her worry about the quality of her education.

“I’d be worried that they’re going to start making the intro classes all combined and that they won’t focus as much on art,” Budzak said.
But Kwang-Wu Kim, dean of the Herberger College of the Arts, sees a lot of good in the merger.

“This represents an exciting opportunity to put a spotlight on creativity and creative practice at Arizona State University,” Kim said.

Rebecca Wochner, an art exploratory undergraduate, agreed with Kim.
Wochner said she thinks this could foster diversity and collaboration between students and faculty from each of the respective schools.

“It doesn’t bother me,” Wochner said. “With budget cuts, there’s always negativity. ... I hope it will be beneficial.”

Vice President of Public Affairs Virgil Renzulli said the merger would have a minimal effect on students.

“It is not going to change academic offerings,” Renzulli said. “This isn’t anything a student would notice in the classroom.”

The plan is pending approval by the Arizona Board of Regents and the Faculty Senate, so reorganization is tentative.

Reach the reporter at benjamin.weitzenkorn@asu.edu