On October 26, 2010, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) announced that the Department of Education will gradually close over the next two years. Below are answers to commonly asked questions surrounding the decision.

Why is the Department of Education being closed?
The decision to close the Department of Education is part of the college’s ongoing strategic plan to be the preeminent land grant institution of its kind by focusing resources in core areas of academic strength. The department is small compared to peers nationally, most of which are full schools of education. The college has debated the department’s future for several years and came to the difficult decision that it does not have the resources to devote to provide a comprehensive program in education. CALS will continue to support the research and outreach programs of education faculty, and will incorporate the people and programs from the Department of Education into other departments, strengthening those departments and supporting the college mission.  

What will happen to faculty?
The 11 professors in the department who remain members of the CALS faculty will be moved to new academic homes within Cornell, based on their areas of academic expertise. CALS senior administrators will begin discussing appropriate placements directly with each of the faculty members this week. Decisions about new academic homes have not been made in advance because the Dean’s office wants to seek faculty input before placements are arranged.

What will happen to staff?
CALS Human Resources will assist the 8 administrative staff in the department with finding other jobs within the college or university. We do not anticipate administrative job losses as a result of the department closing. CALS Human Resources representatives will begin discussing appropriate placements immediately. The six academic program staff associated with extension and outreach programs will move to new academic homes determined in consultation with the faculty leader of the programs. 

What will happen to students?
The students in the program will be able to finish their degree programs and the planned transition for faculty and staff will be undertaken over time to minimize disruption to current academic programs. The future of Graduate Field of Education, the governance of which is independent of the Department and includes faculty members in addition to those from the Department, will be evaluated by the Field faculty and the Graduate School. The Graduate Field will need administrative support and efforts are underway to determine how best to provide it. 

Will Cornell students be able to pursue teacher accreditation in the future?
The college has historically been committed to agriculture science education and will continue to be so in the future. CALS is collaborating with University leadership to explore many options, including possible partnerships with SUNY schools or Ithaca College, or trying to maintain certification within Cornell.

How long will it take for the department to close?
The transition process will take up to two years. The exact date of the department closure will depend on a number of factors, including how long it will take to transfer faculty and staff and allow students to complete their degree programs.

Does the college plan more department closings?
The college had 26 departments until July 1,2010. It is now down to 22, not counting the closure of the Department of Education. The restructuring to date has been achieved through department mergers. CALS is continuing to explore how best to coordinate and allocate investment and resources as outlined in the strategic plan, Reimagining CALS, which is available on the college website. The plan was developed with extensive faculty and staff input and envisions a college that is more focused on core areas of strength.

What about outreach programs in the department?
Extension and outreach programs, such as Cornell Agriculture and Outreach and Education, NY Agriculture in the Classroom, NYS Future Farmers of America, the NY Center for Rural Schools, and the Community Learning and Service Partnership will be incorporated into other departments and will remain under the leadership of education faculty.

Is the closure in response to budget pressure?
Cornell has been under extraordinary budget pressure for the past several years and CALS has taken many steps to reduce costs. The decision to close the department was both financial and programmatic. The move will result in savings, but also allows CALS to better focus its resources in the long run.