NDSU announces proposed job cuts, reducing number of colleges

(Fargo, ND) -- Big changes could be coming to North Dakota State University.

President Dr. David Cook announced Wednesday evening that, as part of the University's new strategic plan, a reduction of the number of colleges and job cuts could be on the way.

"We've had some challenges with enrollment, and with that we are doing some hard things. This is a hard day," said Dr. Cook while speaking with our Tom Tucker about the news.

So, what colleges would go away and just how many jobs would be lost? We'll break that down for you.

The colleges of Math and Science, as well as Human Development and Education would be dissolved. In their place would be five newly configured colleges that would include a newly formed college of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Health Professions, College of Engineering and College of Agriculture.

"We're creating some synergies academically with the kind of education programs we want to offer that meet workforce needs of North Dakota," added Cook, who says the moves could be fully in place by July 1st of this year.

As for the job cuts, around 34 members of NDSU staff could be on the outs in this move.

"You're going to lose two deans. We're talking about 34 and a half FTs or people that would lose their positions with this," said Cook. "That's truly why this is a hard day."

The newly minted President did offer some hope however when it comes to future programs and the overall goal of the strategic plan moving forward.

"The exciting part which is really the part of the NDSU transform plan is a strategic investments," said Cook. "While we’re going to shut down some programs because they might’ve been a good thing to do five or 10 years ago, we've got to do new academic programs. So we've started outlining new academic programs that this state needs."

More details on what those programs would be are coming. As for the overall plan itself, Cook says the University is going to garner feedback before making the final decision on the proposed moves, which could come in the next few weeks.