Restructuring efforts on campus have made the office of undergraduate studies at UMR a busy place with the start of a new semester. Academic departments, programs and centers that previously reported to deans’ offices are now reporting to vice provosts like Dr. Harvest Collier in the office of undergraduate studies. The changes officially took place over the summer when UMR Chancellor John F. Carney III’s restructuring plan went into effect.
The following now report to Collier, vice provost for undergraduate studies: the freshman engineering program, the physical education department, the South Central Regional Professional Development Center, the Student Design and Experiential Learning Center, the teacher education program, the undergraduate advising office (undecided undergraduates) and the Writing Center.
The office of undergraduate studies is also newly responsible for undergraduate academic forms and paperwork (previously signed by the deans), non-degree-specific courses and undecided student recruiting.
Collier’s office, which was previously known as the office of undergraduate and graduate studies, will continue to oversee the following: the academic alert system, the Center for Educational Research and Teaching Innovation, faculty awards and recognitions, first year experience, Hit the Ground Running, the Honor’s Academy, learning communities, Learning Enhancement Across Disciplines, new faculty programs, the re-accreditation self study, the Residential College, undergraduate student scholarships and opportunities, second year experience, the service learning program, the Speech Communication Center, UMR’s Retention Committee, the undergraduate research program and the Voyager Learning Community.
In addition to the office of undergraduate studies, there are two new vice provost offices on campus. Dr. Robert Schwartz is UMR’s first vice provost for academic affairs. Dr. Venkata Allada is UMR’s first vice provost for graduate studies.
UMR’s research centers and institutes report to the office of sponsored programs, which is headed by Dr. K. Krishnamurthy, vice provost for research. All of UMR’s vice provosts — Collier, Schwartz, Allada and Krishnamurthy — report to UMR Provost Warren K. Wray.