Board suspends efforts on School of Pharmacy
Current national economy, accrediting association changes cited as factors in decision
Mary Tetzlaff
Issue date: 2/10/09 Section: News
On Monday morning at 11:55 a.m., University of Dallas students received a message forwarded from the University president, Dr. Francis Lazarus announcing the Board of Trustees's decision "to suspend its plans to establish a graduate school of pharmacy." The Board made the decision on Saturday, Feb. 7, and the President's office proceeded to notify the faculty, staff, students and press on the following Monday.
The message sent to faculty, staff and students cited "substantial changes from the accrediting association and the related costs involved" as well as "current national economic conditions" as the primary factors in the board's decision. In a press release, Lazarus said, "The degree of risk involved with beginning an entirely new school at this time is simply too great to be in the best interest of the University." Board of Trustees Chairman, Dan Cruse, further commented, "The landscape has changed substantially and we are in a very different economic climate from when we began this initiative."
The school of Pharmacy project was initiated in October of 2007. The proposal was a result of the research by a faculty committee on possible new programs. The board enthusiastically accepted the proposal and the project commenced. In fall 2008, Dr. George E. Mackinnon III was named founding dean and professor of the new School of Pharmacy. It was to be the first full pharmacy school in North Texas and was hoped to fill a "critical need in the region." Fundraising for the School of Pharmacy was also underway with UD administration hopeful for success.
Despite their initial confidence in and hope for the initiative, the board and UD administrators recognized the significant effects that the financial character of the nation has on the financial character of UD. As a result, the board suspended the initiative. There has been no further comment as to the nature of the suspension, whether temporary or indefinite. "The official language is that the effort has been suspended," said Lazarus.
The message sent to faculty, staff and students cited "substantial changes from the accrediting association and the related costs involved" as well as "current national economic conditions" as the primary factors in the board's decision. In a press release, Lazarus said, "The degree of risk involved with beginning an entirely new school at this time is simply too great to be in the best interest of the University." Board of Trustees Chairman, Dan Cruse, further commented, "The landscape has changed substantially and we are in a very different economic climate from when we began this initiative."
The school of Pharmacy project was initiated in October of 2007. The proposal was a result of the research by a faculty committee on possible new programs. The board enthusiastically accepted the proposal and the project commenced. In fall 2008, Dr. George E. Mackinnon III was named founding dean and professor of the new School of Pharmacy. It was to be the first full pharmacy school in North Texas and was hoped to fill a "critical need in the region." Fundraising for the School of Pharmacy was also underway with UD administration hopeful for success.
Despite their initial confidence in and hope for the initiative, the board and UD administrators recognized the significant effects that the financial character of the nation has on the financial character of UD. As a result, the board suspended the initiative. There has been no further comment as to the nature of the suspension, whether temporary or indefinite. "The official language is that the effort has been suspended," said Lazarus.
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