The College is moving ahead with plans to create an independent graduate school to offer programs currently under Union's Center for Graduate Education and Special Programs.
The new school would offer graduate programs in educational studies, engineering (computer systems, electrical, and mechanical), computer science, business administration, health administration, and bioethics.
“An independent graduate school would preserve our vital master's degree programs,” President Roger Hull said. “It would also allow for the expansion of those programs through targeted marketing, fundraising, and recruitment to meet the growing regional demand for full- and part-time graduate study. At the same time, this move would clarify and strengthen Union's reputation as a nationally-recognized leader in undergraduate liberal arts and engineering education.”
The College's graduate programs are now administered by the Center for Graduate Education and Special Programs, which would be re-formed to become the graduate school. Union officials are working with the State Education Department and various accrediting bodies to ensure a seamless transition. The graduate school, with its own board of trustees, could be chartered by the State Board of Regents in the next nine months to a year. The new school has not been named.
“This is an important and exciting time for our students, our faculty, and our graduates,” said Sue Lehrman, dean of Union's Center for Graduate Education and Special Programs. “We have seen recent growth in our programs, and this change will only increase the value of a Union graduate degree. The establishment of an independent graduate school would also help us to further strengthen and expand the partnerships with businesses and other organizations that have been so important to the success of our programs.”
The graduate school would have a unique academic relationship with the College through a lease arrangement in which faculty and students would continue to have access to all Union College facilities and ancillary services. The program offices would remain in Lamont House on campus, with classes and labs held at Union.
The graduate school would petition to be affiliated with Union University, a federation of independent undergraduate and graduate institutions comprising Union College, Albany Medical College, Albany Law School, Dudley Observatory, and Albany College of Pharmacy. Established in 1873, Union University has a board of governors made up of representatives of the member institutions' boards of trustees. The president of Union College serves as the chancellor of Union University.