From: Tremblay, Victor - ECONOMICS
Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2008 8:10 PM
To: Brown, Carol - COB
Cc: Nunnemaker, Vickie L; Rodgers, Lawrence; Grosskopf, Shawna - ECONOMICS
Subject: RE: Applied Economics Proposal
Hi Carol,
Sorry for the confusion and glad to help if I can.
We’ve had many faculty across campus contact us about this, as it is complicated and our
position was not communicated clearly to others on campus last academic year. A short
version of our position is difficult to provide, but here goes.
Last spring, the Provost decided to close the graduate program in economics and start a
new graduate program in applied economics. We think that this is a mistake, as it
appears to have been done for political reasons and because the future is in economics,
not applied economics. In any case, we do have concerns with the Proposal, especially
regarding the budget reallocation and academic freedom, and with the process.
The Provost and Dean of the Graduate School have made it clear, however, that the
graduate program in economics will be closed and that the applied economics Proposal
will be approved.
Our position is – we do not agree with the decision and have concerns with the Proposal
but are not going to fight the Proposal. Given that this is a done deal, we would like the
Proposal to be approved asap so we can move forward with our other programs.
I hope this helps, and please contact me if you have further questions,
Vic Tremblay