Save the University of New Haven Teacher Education Program

Save the University of New Haven Teacher Education Program

The Issue

Dear Lourdes Alvarez (Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences), Steven Kaplan (UNH President), Philip Bartels (Chair of the Board of Governors), and Dan May (Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs):

We are gathering in hopes that you reconsider the removal of the Education Department at the University of New Haven. It has come to our attention that university administrators have made the decision to phase out the Graduate Education Program. 

The University of New Haven is unique in offering an internship program, capstone program, and 4+1 program for education. Many undergraduate students have chosen to attend the University of New Haven specifically with the intention of entering the M.S. Education program. Removing this program not only diminishes the size of the graduate student body, but also deters undergraduate students from enrolling at this school. Undergraduates currently enrolled in the 4+1 program may decide to transfer to another institution to complete their Bachelor’s degrees.

As a UNH undergraduate alumni and current graduate student, it saddens me to hear of this decision. I spent many weekends as an undergraduate advocating for this program to groups of potential UNH students during information sessions. This type of program is almost unheard of with small class sizes, one year completion length, and the integration of full time teaching internship. The program offered by the university prepares students in a way that few other schools in the country are able to do so.

I have personally worked with multiple teachers that have graduated from this program at UNH. They are without a doubt some of the most well-rounded, qualified, and in-demand teachers in the state of Connecticut. Many of these graduates have earned teaching jobs at top ranked public schools.

Please consider saving the education department. It is an irreplaceable asset to the University of New Haven and the epitome of experiential education at this school.

Thank you for your time,

Stacey Frizzell

B.A. Psychology (Magna Cum Laude)

M.S. Elementary Education Student

 

 

Lourdes Alvarez (Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences) lalvarez@newhaven.edu

Steven Kaplan (President of UNH) skaplan@newhaven.edu

Philip Bartels (Chair of the Board of Governors) pbartels@goodwin.com

Dan May (Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs) dmay@newhaven.edu

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Stacey FrizzellPetition Starter
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This petition had 2,460 supporters

The Issue

Dear Lourdes Alvarez (Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences), Steven Kaplan (UNH President), Philip Bartels (Chair of the Board of Governors), and Dan May (Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs):

We are gathering in hopes that you reconsider the removal of the Education Department at the University of New Haven. It has come to our attention that university administrators have made the decision to phase out the Graduate Education Program. 

The University of New Haven is unique in offering an internship program, capstone program, and 4+1 program for education. Many undergraduate students have chosen to attend the University of New Haven specifically with the intention of entering the M.S. Education program. Removing this program not only diminishes the size of the graduate student body, but also deters undergraduate students from enrolling at this school. Undergraduates currently enrolled in the 4+1 program may decide to transfer to another institution to complete their Bachelor’s degrees.

As a UNH undergraduate alumni and current graduate student, it saddens me to hear of this decision. I spent many weekends as an undergraduate advocating for this program to groups of potential UNH students during information sessions. This type of program is almost unheard of with small class sizes, one year completion length, and the integration of full time teaching internship. The program offered by the university prepares students in a way that few other schools in the country are able to do so.

I have personally worked with multiple teachers that have graduated from this program at UNH. They are without a doubt some of the most well-rounded, qualified, and in-demand teachers in the state of Connecticut. Many of these graduates have earned teaching jobs at top ranked public schools.

Please consider saving the education department. It is an irreplaceable asset to the University of New Haven and the epitome of experiential education at this school.

Thank you for your time,

Stacey Frizzell

B.A. Psychology (Magna Cum Laude)

M.S. Elementary Education Student

 

 

Lourdes Alvarez (Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences) lalvarez@newhaven.edu

Steven Kaplan (President of UNH) skaplan@newhaven.edu

Philip Bartels (Chair of the Board of Governors) pbartels@goodwin.com

Dan May (Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs) dmay@newhaven.edu

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Stacey FrizzellPetition Starter
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The Decision Makers

Steven Kaplan
Steven Kaplan
President of the University of New Haven
Responded
“I know you are interested in the ongoing discussions at the University about the future of our graduate education program. I want to provide you with results from a General Faculty Meeting held on Wednesday, Nov. 12. The Provost and I, with encouragement from Dean Lourdes Alvarez, have recommended that the Board of Governors postpone its Friday meeting to discuss this issue and the Board has agreed. While I don’t necessarily agree with the need for a lengthy review of this program, I do see the benefit to slowing this process down and making it more collaborative. And while the Provost and I still believe this program as it is configured is not sustainable, we are willing to keep an open mind to other options than the total program closure we have proposed thus far. As I mentioned yesterday, we do think one option might be to offer an even stronger four plus one program with the graduate component being offered by another area private institution. Provost May and Dean Alvarez will begin working with Education Department Chair Nancy Niemi to explore the above opportunity and others she presented at the General Faculty Meeting to redefine/reposition education department skill sets at UNH, in likely conjunction with an outside consultant. That group will also meet with leaders of other regional universities supporting graduate teacher education programs to discuss opportunities for graduate education students and school system needs for interns. I anticipate this work being completed by the semester break, but I am committed to not letting time drive this process. Having said that, now that the possible closure of the program has received so much attention among affected stakeholders, the timing of this process must be a factor. It is important to come to a resolution in a timely manner. The process of prioritizing program offerings and opportunities is essential to UNH’s future development and reputation. I appreciate your suggestions on making this as robust and collegial a process as possible. Sincerely, Steven Kaplan President”
Philip Bartels
Philip Bartels
Chair of the Board of Governors
Lourdes Alvarez
Lourdes Alvarez
Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences

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Petition created on November 7, 2014