Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the proposal about?
A: The proposal is to create a more autonomous and flexible model for Miami's regional campuses, so they can better meet the needs for economic and work-force development. The change would establish the regional campus academic programs as a new academic division. It would allow regionals to develop new bachelor's degrees and programs more quickly and responsively.

Q: What is the process?
A: The Academic Policy Committee (APC) of University Senate will study the provost's proposal and provide the Senate, through the executive committee, a report for the Senate's deliberation and action, said Steven DeLue, chair of Senate's executive committee. "We also request that the recently formed regional campus faculty committee provide its recommendations on the provost's proposal. Those recommendations should be reported in coordination with APC so that they are part of its deliberation and the regional committee's report is also welcome for consideration by the Senate for its deliberation and action."

Q: What are the main differences between what is being proposed and how the regionals operate now?
A: The regional campuses would have the ability to make decisions about programs and hiring of faculty and staff, the same as the academic colleges and schools on the Oxford campus, such as the College of Arts and Science and the Farmer School of Business. The regional campuses' academic programs would be placed in a new division and the Hamilton and Middletown campuses, with support provided by the Voice of America Learning Center and Greentree Health Science Academy, will offer degrees through that new division.

Q: Why now?
A: The 2009 Regional Campus Committee and the 2010 Strategic Priorities Task Force both recommended steps to give the regional campuses more autonomy in academic and business decisions. To drive economic and work-force development, the Ohio Board of Regents is also encouraging regional campuses to add more bachelor's degrees that respond to changing economic and demographic conditions in southwest Ohio communities.

Q: Does this proposal further differentiate the regionals from the main campus?
A: Creating a new academic division for the regional campuses would allow for greater administrative autonomy to better deliver the mission of the regionals. Courses and programs in the new division would still follow Miami University processes. Student opportunities to begin coursework in that division and then relocate to the Oxford campus would still exist.

Q: Are changes to the university budget structure contributing to the recommendation?
A: It is a contributing factor, but not the primary reason. The division structure would align Miami's regional campus system with the new performance-based budget model that Miami is moving toward and facilitate future growth of the regional campuses and associated program sites (Voice of America Learning Center and Greentree Health Science Academy). With a new school/academic division, the regional campuses would have responsibility for their own faculty, degrees and programs and become their own performance/cost center.

Q: How will this affect regional campus faculty?
A: Current faculty members on the regional campuses would continue to be tenured and promoted within their current departments. New faculty will be hired through the new academic division but will be allowed to have joint appointments with Oxford divisions.

Q: What effect will this have on students?
A: Students will have more options to complete bachelor's and associate degrees entirely on the regional campuses. The recommended proposal will facilitate the increase of regional campus degrees. Interested students would still be encouraged to relocate to the Oxford campus to complete those degrees that are not offered on the regional campuses.

Q: Will campus names change?
A: No.

Q: Will degrees still be from Miami University?
A: Yes.

Q: Will diplomas reflect the campus location where the degree is earned?
A: No, the campus location will not be on the diploma. The name of the academic division from which the degree is received will be specified on the diploma of all Miami students.

Q: How will this proposal affect tuition on the regional campuses?
A: It will not affect the tuition rates or enrollment eligibility offered at the regional campuses, which provide affordable, location-based options for higher education.

Q: When will we know about the decision?
A: The University Senate is requested to review the benefits and challenges of this proposal for consideration by Miami's board of trustees at its April 27, 2012, meeting. If the proposal is approved, the university would follow established guidelines for transferring programs.