As the Capital Campaign gradually narrows its focus to target larger, individual donors, University faculty and administrators are discussing the use of private funds in the possible creation of several new professional schools.
Current ideas include the creation of schools of public health, public policy, global sustainability and environmental science, according to Bob Sweeney, senior vice president for development and public affairs.
"A number of initiatives are being discussed, which include schools along with a lot of other possibilities, but these are now just at the stage of discussion," Provost Gene Block said. "It's an exciting time intellectually."
To move the creation of a new school beyond discussion, the University must find extensive funding and have plans approved by the Faculty Senate, the Board of Visitors and the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia, according to Block.
"There are many, many steps involved in the creation of a new school," Block said. "Right now the state of these ideas is that we are in a long range planning process; it is just the beginning."
According to Sweeney, funding for new schools would need to come from large donations other than those earmarked for the College of Arts & Sciences.
Sweeney said current schools "are just too big and too important to relocate dollars from other areas, and we are not in the position to switch funds from other areas."
According to Sweeney, it may take more than $100 million to start a new school.
Conversations about a school of public health have been underway for five years, Medical School Dean Arthur Garson said.
"We're beginning to raise money for it, and it will have to be presented first, but we are beyond the talking stage," Garson said.
Plans for the school currently involve creating three separate institutes for personal health responsibility, global health and disparities, according to Garson. Discussions have also focused on organizing a trip for fourth-year students to work on public health projects in developing countries.
Deans in multiple schools have been discussing ideas for a school involving global sustainability and environmental science, said Ariel Gomez, vice president for research and graduate studies. At this stage, deans are currently discussing whether to develop a separate school and institute or to form one combined program, Gomez said.
"The way we are working now is that the school would do research and grant degrees while the institute would be for application," Gomez said.
According to Gomez, the creation of this new school would help develop the University's curriculum on sustainability and promote environmental discoveries.
"The program itself can generate new intellectual avenues for discovery and education and create a promise for a sustainable world," Gomez said.
The recent establishment of the five-year Bachelor of Arts and master's of public policy program in the College has also generated talk about a school of public policy, MPP governing board member Richard Bonnie said.
David Breneman, Education School dean and director of the MPP program, stated in an e-mail that he is unable to comment on any ideas for a school of public policy at this time.
In a previous interview, however, Breneman said that the faculty members involved in creating the five-year MPP "talked about the possibility of moving this eventually to a new school at the University," noting that he thought "there is an interest in it here, but it would entail significant fundraising."
According to Bonnie, a new professional school would enhance the current program by providing more students and resources.
MPP governing board member Jim Childress said while he believes the creation of a new school is a good idea, there are still obstacles to overcome.
"I think we've got a great idea of something that is important and whether it develops into something more is dependent on outside funding," Childress said.
Read More
U.Va. loses over $60 million in federal research cuts
By Bertie Azqueta | YesterdayThe impacted grants include three from the NIH, seven from the NEH, one from the United States Agency for International Development and four from the State Department.
Department of Education reverses course, awards Federal Executive Institute to U.Va.
By Ford McCracken | 4 days agoThe ED had previously awarded the institute to Charlottesville City Schools.
Students reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis
By Bertie Azqueta | 5 days agoAt the University, students shared a range of perspectives on his legacy of reform, inclusivity and his impact on the global Catholic community.
