University of Akron Trustees announced today that they will not be laying off any faculty members, because enough accepted voluntary separation agreements, and as a result; they were able to avoid a legal process written in the faculty contract that must be followed in order to reduce the workforce, called “retrenchment“.

They also announced a number of changes to their curriculum, including: 

• A new Bachelor of Science in Applied Politics and Civic Leadership in the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Political Science.
• A new Associate of Applied Science in Biomedical Engineering Technology in the College of Engineering and Polymer Science, Department of Biomedical Engineering.
• A new Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Engineering Studies in the College of Engineering and Polymer Science, Dean’s Office.

Other Board meeting highlights include notice that the University is wrapping up a new branding effort, that they plan to hire a new Chief Brand Officer, and that they have already posted that position.

In addition, the Board announced that Vice President, Chief Communication and Marketing Officer Tammy Ewin is leaving the University as of May 30, to take a position out of state.