Tuesday, July 28, 2020

AU Trustees Approve Reduction of Academic Programs

The Ashland University Board of Trustees recently voted to “sunset” twenty undergraduate degree programs.  Sunsetting means that current and incoming students will have the opportunity to fully complete their majors, but students will no longer be accepted into these programs after the current incoming fall class.  Information about this decision can be found on the AU website and Facebook page.  This post is intended to provide some clarity regarding the impact on programs housed within the Kettering Science Center. 

 

The Bachelor of Science with majors in Geology, Geoscience Technology & Management, and Physics will be sunsetted, in addition to the minor in Physics.  The Geology minor will continue to be offered, as will the geology and physics courses that are required by other programs.

 

All majors within the Department of Biology/Toxicology will remain.  Likewise, the Bachelor of Science with majors in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Forensic Chemistry will continue.  The Environmental Science Program will also remain.  The potential for a revised EVS/Geochemistry track has received support from the administration.

 

In science education, the two BSEd majors in grades 7-12 Integrated Science and Life Science will continue, as will the science concentration for the middle grades major.  The BSEd programs in Chemistry Education, Earth Science Education, and Physical Science Education will be sunsetted.

 

The news of the discontinuation of academic programs is personally and professionally disappointing to students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of Ashland University Sciences.  Feel free to contact me at if you have questions.  My colleagues and I are working to create the safest and best possible experience for our new and returning students this fall.

 

We hope to see you or hear from you in the coming year.  As always, thank you for the support.  

 

Dr. Rebecca Corbin

Chair of the Department of Chemistry/Geology/Physics