University to Reorganize Academic Structure Effective June 1

Oklahoma Baptist University will reorganize its academic structure from its current six college configuration to nine academic schools and divisions for the 2021-22 academic year. The academic organization changes will provide cost savings, bring more faculty to the leadership table, facilitate better communication between the University’s academic divisions and create a more cost-effective structure to position OBU with a strong foundation for the future.

The current six college structure will remain in place until May 31 with the new structure taking effect June 1. The new structure includes the Warren M. Angell School of Visual and Performing Arts, which will continue to house music, art, theatre and communication; the Herschel H. Hobbs School of Theology and Ministry; the School of Nursing; the Paul Dickinson School of Business; the School of Education; the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences; the Division of Language and Literature; the Division of Exercise Science, Sports and Recreation; and the James E. Hurley Division of Science and Mathematics. Eleven academic chairs will oversee these areas and report to one of two deans: the Dean of Theology, Arts and Humanities and the Dean of Business, Health Science and Education.

The reorganization of the University’s academic structure came after a thorough study conducted by university administrators, college deans, division chairs and faculty. During the course of the review, the University examined academic organizational structures at similar institutions, assessed the strengths and weaknesses of the current college model, and examined how the application of various structures would impact the university. The study sought to determine what changes might help the University realize annual cost savings while also elevating the role of additional individual academic units for greater shared governance. The review of other institutions indicated that the college structure employed at OBU was more likely to be found at larger institutions, as it adds a layer of administrative leadership which increases costs while distancing the heads of each academic unit from the president and chief academic officer.

While the review happened in consultation with faculty and academic leaders throughout the University, the resulting reorganization plan was shared with all OBU employees in February and then reviewed by the OBU Board of Trustees during its March 5 meeting.

Along with the academic structure review, the University also conducted a thorough examination of its 88 academic degree offerings. It was found that 90% of the university’s student body is enrolled in 50% of the programs, leaving 10% of the student body enrolled in the remaining 50% of the programs. Degree programs with fewer than eight students enrolled were reviewed to determine if they should be continued as is, revised in some way or discontinued. Of the 21 programs that were considered for discontinuation, 13 were recommended for discontinuation either by the academic council or directly by the program’s academic area. These 13 programs were then approved for discontinuation by the president, recommended to the Board of Trustees, and then approved by vote of the Board of Trustees during their March 5 meeting.

While these programs will not be open for future enrollment, all current students will be able to complete the programs in which they are currently enrolled as they will be taught-out to completion. Many of the discontinued programs also have similar programs still available for incoming freshmen.

As student enrollments in colleges and universities have experienced decline and financial difficulties due to the pandemic and other factors affecting the demand for higher education over the last several years, OBU likewise has been impacted by recently decreasing enrollments. This has led the University to implement cost reductions in multiple areas to offset losses in revenue, including reductions in staff, faculty, deans and administrators. In so doing, the University has strived to manage the institution’s budget in a fiscally responsible manner to reduce expenses coinciding with the reduction in revenue.

Even with these reductions, OBU maintains a stellar student-to-faculty ratio of 15-to-1, resulting in small class sizes, personal relationships between students and professors, rigorous academics and myriad opportunities for spiritual and social growth for students.

Dr. Susan DeWoody, provost and chief academic officer, appreciates the diligence, effort and dedication displayed by all who participated in this challenging process.

“The process of studying the current academic structure and determining the best structure for the future of the University was an enormous undertaking,” DeWoody said. “I am beyond grateful for the countless hours given by our deans, chairs, faculty and staff members during the course of this almost two-year process. We believe these structural revisions will help us continue to deliver the same world-class instruction and transformational Christian liberal arts education at Oklahoma Baptist University for generations to come.”

OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas shared his gratitude for the entire University community, for their commitment to excellence at OBU and for their dedication to the University’s academic legacy.

“I am grateful to our faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the University for their dedication and commitment to our tradition of excellence at Oklahoma Baptist University,” Thomas said. “The last few years have been challenging for higher education at large, not only at OBU, but for all colleges and universities. These challenges were compounded last year by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite all of that, OBU has remained steadfast in our mission to deliver life-changing Christian liberal arts higher education to the next generation of future shapers.

“For 111 years, OBU has welcomed students from throughout the nation and around the world, calling them to come experience life on Bison Hill. And when they come, they find a community that loves and supports them, professors who deepen their biblical worldview in all disciplines, friendships that sustain them through the challenges of college life and beyond, and a life-changing educational experience that will equip them to live out the high calling of God in Christ that was purposed for their lives by the Creator. It is our prayer that through these academic structural changes and other cost saving measures undertaken in recent years, OBU will be positioned to impact students for decades and centuries to come.”

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