Affected Graduate Programs
Questions and Answers
Q: Which programs are affected by this decision?
A: This affects the following Master of Science in Education (MS Ed.) and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs, beginning this fall:
- Chemistry
- Earth Science
- French
- Mathematics
- Spanish
Q: How long have these programs been in existence at New Paltz?
A: Most are about 30 years old.
Q: How many students are currently enrolled?
A: The decision affects 41 students currently enrolled in the 10 programs.
Declared majors in these programs:
- The M.S. Ed and MAT in Chemistry: 5
- The M.S. Ed and MAT in Earth Science: 1
- The M.S. Ed and MAT in French: 6
- The M.S. Ed and MAT in Spanish: 9
- The M.S. Ed and MAT in Mathematics: 20
Q: How will this decision affect those students?
A: Students currently enrolled in these 10 programs will be given the opportunity to complete their program of study.
Q: Will these programs close?
A: Faculty and deans in these areas will have an opportunity to create a plan to revamp the programs to attract enrollments, provided sufficient resources become available. These programs, as well as any new proposed graduate or undergraduate program will require a compelling strategy that will ensure sufficient enrollment and they must meet the approval of both the Dean of the Graduate School and the Provost.
Q: How much money will you save?
A: While the college expects to save about $30,000 in adjunct faculty costs with this decision, the more important effect of this decision is one of opportunity costs. While the college recognizes that many of these are high-needs subject areas in our region’s schools, these programs have historically been unable to attract enrollment. We cannot justify the assignment of full-time faculty to these programs when they are serving so few students. Having full-time faculty teach small numbers of students at the graduate level has meant that the college is over relying on part-time instructors to teach in our high-demand core undergraduate programs, thus diminishing the quality of these programs.
Q: How many adjunct faculty lines will no longer be needed?
A: We are still not certain of exact numbers. They will diminish as the college shifts its full-time faculty resources to these high-demand core programs at the undergraduate level.
Q: How many students will have their admission rescinded from these 10 programs?
A: This decision will affect 11 students.
- The M.S. Ed and MAT in Chemistry: 1
- The M.S. Ed and MAT in Earth Science: 2
- The M.S. Ed and MAT in French: 0
- The M.S. Ed and MAT in Spanish: 3
- The M.S. Ed and MAT in Mathematics: 5
Q: I heard on the radio and other media reports that all MS. Ed and MAT graduate programs were being canceled at the college. Is this true?
A: No. Only the five subject areas listed above are affected.
Q: Who can I contact with further questions?
A: Laurel Garrick Duhaney, Associate Provost & Dean, Graduate School
(845) 257-3287, duhaneyl@newpaltz.edu
