Reinvestment plan: Utah State University to consolidate several colleges
In a recent message sent to USU faculty and staff, the school's interim president, Alan Smith, announced the mergers of several existing colleges at the Logan-based campus.
The first will be a merger of the Caine College of the Arts, College of Humanities and Social Sciences and College of Science.
'This will result in a new college at USU that aligns common arts and sciences models nationally,' wrote Smith.
Joe Ward, the current dean of the school's College of Humanities and Social Sciences, will lead the new college.
The second structural change calls for merging the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources and the College of Agricultural and Applied Sciences — forming a new college, according to Smith, 'that aligns with those found at several thriving land-grant institutions.'
The dean of that new college is to be determined.
'In both cases, these mergers will strategically enhance academic programming, foster interdisciplinary scholarship, and significantly improve our ability to meet the evolving needs of our students and the state of Utah,' wrote Smith.
In light of the mergers, USU faculty and staff can expect department consolidations, moves and reconfigurations.
'Crucially, these adjustments are part of our reinvestment strategy, aimed at enhancing strengths, creating synergies, and exploring new directions enabled by our updated academic structures,' wrote Smith.
'Our task includes phasing out less productive or declining programs while actively pursuing areas of growth and future potential.'
The new colleges at USU, added Smith, will be tasked over the coming academic year to form 'strategic plans, governance structures, novel curricular initiatives' and other infrastructure elements to ensure long-term success and impact.
In an earlier message to USU employees, Smith noted that job layoffs are inevitable, adding 'personnel are the primary cost of an institution like ours.'
USU is also offering a university-wide voluntary separation incentive program for eligible employees as a method of campus force reduction.
'A pressing task will be to address roles and responsibilities tied to leadership and some support functions,' wrote Smith in his most recent message.
'Any associated personnel reductions – which would be applied July 1 or later — will depend on VSIP uptake and the administrative and operational needs of the new colleges.
'I know personnel impacts are of particular concern to our community and we will work to communicate as quickly and clearly as possible to those affected when decisions are made.'
The evolving restructuring happening in Logan reflects similar efforts developing at all of Utah's public degree-granting institutions in order to comply with House Bill 265 — the recently passed legislation requiring schools to reallocate millions to programs determined to be of highest value.
In the coming weeks, USU and the state's other public institutions of higher education will present their strategic plans to the Utah System of Higher Education and, later, to state lawmakers.
If their recommended reallocations are approved, they can reclaim the 10% of their annual budget that was cut earlier this year as part of the strategic reinvestment process.
Leaders at USU are tasked with absorbing a $4.8 million budget cut from the 2024 Legislature even while addressing the $12.5 million being withheld, at least temporarily, through HB265.
'If our proposal is accepted, we will then recover these dollars, but they must be spent in the proposed new ways,' wrote Smith last month. 'These ways will naturally align with our mission and various strategic priorities yet will only be achievable by pivoting away from some of our previous structures, programs, and people.
'This will be incredibly hard for us even if in the interest of the long-term health and success of USU.'
Smith concluded his most recent message with praises for USU's academic community:
'You are heroically meeting the needs of our students and the communities we serve during a time of unusual disruption for higher education as well as personal concerns about future changes at USU.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
19 minutes ago
- New York Post
Açaí prices set to rise as US imposes 50% tariff on imports
Bowls and smoothies made of the Amazon berry açaí have become ubiquitous in many cities across the US, but consumers may think twice about shelling out after Friday when a 50% tariff on imports from Brazil kicks in. Nearly all of the açaí pulp sold in the U.S., as well as in Europe and Asia, where people have also developed a taste for the tangy fruit, comes from Brazil. If no trade deal is reached between the Trump administration and the Brazilian government, the bowls could cost significantly more at hundreds of shops from New York to Los Angeles. Advertisement 4 A 50% tariff on açaí imports will kick in on Friday. New Africa – 'People already complain a bit about the price. If it gets more expensive, I guess it will become more of a luxury thing,' said Ashley Ibarra, who manages a Midtown Manhattan store owned by Playa Bowls LLC, a New Jersey-based company with around 300 shops in the U.S. With toppings like banana and granola, a bowl of açaí costs around $18 at Playa Bowls in New York. Competitor Oakberry Inc., the world's largest açaí chain with 700 stores in 35 countries, sells a smaller portion at a nearby Manhattan store for $13. Advertisement Playa Bowls declined to comment on the tariffs, and Oakberry did not respond to a request for comment. Açaí companies tout the product as an energy booster, a powerful antioxidant and a source of Omega-3 and other nutrients. The Food and Drug Administration said more research is needed to evaluate its possible health benefits. 'A friend introduced me to it one day, and I loved it, so I occasionally buy it,' said Milan Shek, 50, who was having an açaí bowl mixed with cereals and fresh fruits one recent afternoon in New York. Advertisement With a large markup, he said he would probably eat it less often. 4 A Playa Bowls location in New Orleans. William A. Morgan – Brazil's production and exports of açaí have skyrocketed in recent years. The berry went from being a local delicacy in small towns in the state of Para where it is mostly grown, to a widely popular treat across Brazil. Soon, exports began to be sent to other countries. Advertisement Production increased from around 150,000 metric tons 10 years ago to nearly 2 million tons last year, according to data from Brazil's statistics agency IBGE and the governments of Para and Amazonas. The U.S. is the largest foreign buyer, followed by Europe and Japan. 4 Açai production was 2 million tons last year, up from 150,000 tons 10 years ago. Imago Photo – Nazareno Alves da Silva, head of the Amazon Açaí Producers Association in Para, said companies were calculating how to absorb such a large cost increase in order to continue exports to the U.S. He wasn't optimistic. 'Right now, we still don't know how to do it. The numbers don't match,' he said. The trade would get too expensive for many U.S. importers, while Brazilian producers would be unable to cut prices enough to accommodate the tariff, he said, adding that producers would likely have to find other markets. 4 A smoothie made of açaí and other fruits. REUTERS Even those without an açaí habit are likely to feel the pinch of the Trump administration's tariffs on Brazil. Advertisement The South American country supplies about a third of the coffee consumed in the U.S., as well as orange juice and beef.
CNBC
20 minutes ago
- CNBC
U.S. and China to resume tariff talks on Monday in effort to extend truce
Senior U.S. and Chinese negotiators meet in Stockholm on Monday to tackle longstanding economic disputes at the center of the countries' trade war, aiming to extend a truce keeping sharply higher tariffs at bay. China is facing an Aug. 12 deadline to reach a durable tariff agreement with President Donald Trump's administration, after Beijing and Washington reached a preliminary deal in June to end weeks of escalating tit-for-tat tariffs. Without an agreement, global supply chains could face renewed turmoil from duties exceeding 100%. The Stockholm talks, led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, take place a day after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met Trump at his golf course in Scotland to clinch a deal that would see a 15% baseline tariff on most EU goods. Trade analysts on both sides of the Pacific say the discussions in the Swedish capital are unlikely to produce any breakthroughs but could prevent further escalation and help create conditions for Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to meet later this year. Previous U.S.-China trade talks in Geneva and London in May and June focused on bringing U.S. and Chinese retaliatory tariffs down from triple-digit levels and restoring the flow of rare earth minerals halted by China and Nvidia H20 AI chips and other goods halted by the United States. So far, the talks have not delved into broader economic issues. They include U.S. complaints that China's state-led, export-driven model is flooding world markets with cheap goods, and Beijing's complaints that U.S. national security export controls on tech goods seek to stunt Chinese growth. "Stockholm will be the first meaningful round of U.S.-China trade talks," said Bo Zhengyuan, Shanghai-based partner at China consultancy firm Plenum. Trump has been successful in pressuring some other trading partners, including Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines, into preliminary deals accepting higher U.S. tariffs of 15% to 20%. Analysts say the U.S.-China negotiations are far more complex and will require more time. China's grip on the global market for rare earth minerals and magnets, used in everything from military hardware to car windshield wiper motors, has proved to be an effective leverage point on U.S. industries. In the background of the talks is speculation about a possible meeting between Trump and Xi in late October. Trump has said he will decide soon whether to visit China in a landmark trip to address trade and security tensions. A new flare-up of tariffs and export controls would likely derail any plans for a meeting with Xi. "The Stockholm meeting is an opportunity to start laying the groundwork for a Trump visit to China," said Wendy Cutler, vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute. Bessent has already said he wants to work out an extension of the Aug. 12 deadline to prevent tariffs snapping back to 145% on the U.S. side and 125% on the Chinese side. Still, China is likely to request a reduction of the multi-layered U.S. tariffs, which total 55% on most goods, and further easing of U.S. high-tech export controls, analysts said. Beijing has argued that such purchases would help reduce the U.S. trade deficit with China, which reached $295.5 billion in 2024. China is currently facing a 20% tariff related to the U.S. fentanyl crisis, a 10% reciprocal tariff, and 25% duties on most industrial goods imposed during Trump's first term. Bessent has also said he would discuss the need for China to rebalance its economy away from exports toward domestic consumer demand. The shift would require China to put an end to a protracted property crisis and boost social safety nets to encourage household spending. Michael Froman, a former U.S. trade representative during former President Barack Obama's administration, said such a shift has been a goal of U.S. policymakers for two decades. "Can we effectively use tariffs to get China to fundamentally change their economic strategy? That remains to be seen," said Froman, now president of the Council on Foreign Relations think-tank.
Business Insider
2 hours ago
- Business Insider
Upcoming Stock Splits This Week (July 28 to August 1)
These are the upcoming stock splits for the week of July 28 to August 1, based on TipRanks' Stock Splits Calendar. A stock split is a corporate play that boosts the number of shares in circulation by handing out extras to existing shareholders, without changing the company's overall value. This reduces the price per share, making the stock more affordable and often more appealing to retail investors. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. But not all splits are about broadening appeal. Some companies flip the script with a reverse stock split, consolidating shares to boost the share price while shrinking the total share count. The company's market cap stays the same, but the higher price tag often helps meet listing standards like Nasdaq's minimum price rule, warding off the threat of delisting. Whether the goal is to court investors or stay in the game, these corporate maneuvers often send signals that smart traders are quick to pick up on. Let's take a look at the upcoming stock splits for the week. ChargePoint Holdings (CHPT) – ChargePoint is an electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure provider operating an extensive network of chargers and connected services. On July 9, ChargePoint announced a 1‑for‑20 reverse stock split scheduled to become effective on July 28. The split is intended to increase the per-share price and regain compliance with NYSE's minimum bid price requirement, after trading below the $1.00 threshold since January 2025. FOXO Technologies (FOXO) – Developing advanced payment-processing platforms for the dental and medical industries, FOXO is taking strategic action to stay compliant with NYSE American listing standards. On July 17, the board approved a 1‑for‑1.99 reverse stock split effective on July 27, with trading on a split‑adjusted basis starting July 28. Mersana Therapeutics (MRSN) – Mersana is a clinical-stage biotech developing antibody‑drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting cancer. On July 24, it announced a 1‑for‑25 reverse stock split, effective before market open on July 28. The split seeks to increase per‑share price to regain Nasdaq Global Select listing compliance after prolonged depressed stock price. Ikena Oncology (IKNA) – Ikena Oncology, am immuno‑oncology biotech company, received shareholder approval on July 15 for a 1-for-12 reverse stock split, to be implemented at the start of trading on July 28 – the same day it merges with Inmagene Biopharmaceuticals. Upon closing, the combined company will be rebranded as ImageneBio and begin trading on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol IMA. AgriFORCE Growing Systems (AGRI) – AgriFORCE Growing Systems, a Canada-based ag-tech and food systems company listed in the U.S., is going through a 1-for-9 reverse stock split. Shareholders gave the green light back on June 6, and the move will officially take effect when markets opened on July 28. The goal here is to get the share price back above Nasdaq's $1.00 minimum and stay in compliance with listing rules. Velo3D, Inc. (VLDX) – Velo3D, a leading innovator in metal 3D printing technology, is making a move to reposition itself in the market. On July 25, the company announced a 1-for-15 reverse stock split, set to take effect at the start of trading on July 28. To mark the change, Velo3D shares will temporarily trade under the ticker symbol VLDXD for 20 sessions before reverting back to VLDX. Senmiao Technology (AIHS) – Senmiao Technology, a U.S.-listed fintech and auto-finance company based in China, is streamlining its stock structure with a 1-for-10 reverse split. Announced on July 24, and set to take effect on July 29, the move aims to lift its share price to meet Nasdaq's listing standards. Silexion Therapeutics (SLXN) – Israel-based Silexion Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing personalized cancer vaccines and immuno-oncology therapies. On July 16, Silexion announced a 1-for-15 reverse stock split of its common shares, effective after market close on July 28, with trading on a split-adjusted basis beginning July 29. The reverse split is intended to boost the stock price and regain compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid price requirement for continued listing. NaaS Technology (NAAS) – NaaS Technology is a China-based provider of EV charging services and software, listed on the Nasdaq. On July 14, the company announced a 1-for-4 reverse ADS split set to take effect on or about July 30. The move aims to lift the ADS price, ensure compliance with Nasdaq's minimum bid requirement, and strengthen its appeal to investors. Biodexa Pharmaceuticals (BDRX) – Biodexa Pharmaceuticals is a UK-based clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for diseases with unmet medical needs, including a Phase 3 trial for familial adenomatous polyposis and a Phase 2a trial for type 1 diabetes. On July 15, the company announced a 1-for-10 reverse ADR split, effective July 31. The goal is to raise the ADR trading price to meet Nasdaq's $1.00 minimum bid price requirement. Yoshiharu Global (YOSH) – Yoshiharu Global is a restaurant operator specializing in Japanese ramen and rolls, primarily located in Southern California and Nevada. On July 18, the board and shareholders approved a 4-for-1 forward stock split, record date July 28, with the additional shares distributed after market close on July 30, and trading on a post-split basis starting July 31. The aim is to increase stock liquidity and investor accessibility, making the shares more appealing to retail investors. TipRanks Stock Splits Calendar.
