On Jan. 31, Doane University announced a sweeping change to its current academic structure. A merger is set to take place by Fall 2025, turning Doane’s three colleges into two, as well as department changes. A new University Innovation and Development Center is set to be added as well. Which colleges will be combined and disclosed at a later date. The merger streamlines Doane administratively, removes some additional costs for unfilled positions and provides Doane with a clearer direction for students and staff alike. Staff and students affected by the merger have already been contacted prior to campus-wide announcement and have been informed of the change.
Doane has promised students that the merger will not eliminate any current certificates, minors, majors or degree programs. The merger also entails a streamlining of different departments, with each academic department consisting of only one program per department, and will largely be led by Doane faculty and staff.
“I want to make Doane a big locker room and ensure that everyone from the staff, faculty and students are all easily able to work together,” Doane President Roger Hughes said of the merger in a meeting with the Doane Owl.
The merger aims to increase enrollment for next year’s student cohort by investing in Doane’s campuses in programs such as the new performing arts center and adapting to students’ needs. President Hughes says that Doane feels optimistic about investing in student programs following record-setting student retention rates last semester.
One way in which Doane is adapting is by creating the University Innovation and Development Center (name pending), which will serve as a “hub for professional development, collaboration, technology services, and creative exploration for faculty, students, and staff,” according to an email shared to all students on Jan. 31 about the merger and subsequent news.
The merger, restructuring of departments and the new University Innovation and Development Center are all in the early stages of development and will be discussed in greater detail during a town hall meeting on Feb. 5 and in subsequent emails from the Doane Leadership Team and the President’s Office.
