Academic Portfolio Review
Introduction
On July 1, 2025, Dr. Todd Pfannestiel updated stakeholders about ongoing efforts to restructure the University to ensure long-term sustainability. A core component of the restructuring plan is developing an academic portfolio focused on professional, pre-professional, and STEM offerings that is responsive to student interests and regional and national employer needs and fosters individual growth.
Academic portfolio planning requires review of the existing offerings to identify those that fit with and support the long-term plan of the institution, deleting or deactivating programs no longer meet institutional needs, and developing a plan for future programs. Academic portfolio planning is an ongoing process which institutions should conduct on a regular basis to ensure their academic offerings meet the needs of their students and other stakeholders.
At Utica University, the program and curriculum deletion and deactivation process is well-defined. Information about the deactivation and deletion process and important dates for the 2025-26 academic year are available below.
Portfolio Review Process Presentation
Timeline
| Deadlines | Action(s) |
|---|---|
| August 25, 2025 | Provost announces recommendations for program deletion/deactivation |
| August 27, 2025 | Office of Academic Affairs schedules meetings with affected programs |
| September 5, 2025 | Academic Affairs meets with representatives of affected programs |
| October 31, 2025 | Departments may arrange for a subsequent meeting with Academic Affairs |
| October 31, 2025 | Departments make recommendations regarding the deletion or deactivation of programs to Academic Affairs |
| November 7, 2025 | Academic Affairs notifies respective schools/ divisions if it will continue forward with the proposals for deletion/deactivation |
| November 28, 2025 | The schools/divisions arrange for a meeting with the Provost to discuss the proposed program deletions/deactivations |
| December 17, 2025 | Schools/divisions make recommendations regarding the deletion or deactivation of programs to Academic Affairs |
| January 7, 2026 | Academic Affairs submits proposal, recommendations, and all documents pertaining to specific program deletion/deactivation to the Curriculum Committee. |
| March 4, 2026 | Curriculum Committee sends its recommendations concerning program deletions/deactivations to the Faculty Senate to appear as a notification on the March Faculty Senate agenda |
| After March 16, 2026 | The Executive Council of the Faculty Senate calls for a special meeting of the Senate to discuss the proposed program deletions/deactivations. |
| April 30, 2026 | The Faculty Senate makes its recommendations to Academic Affairs on the proposed program deletions/deactivations |
| May 6, 2026 | Provost appears at Faculty Senate meeting to inform faculty whether Academic Affairs will move forward with its recommended program deletions/deactivations |
| May 7, 2026 | The Provost forwards all recommendations and voting results, as well as supporting documentation, to the President and the Board of Trustees. |
| May 12, 2026 | Academic Affairs notifies affected programs, the Faculty Senate, the respective school/division, and the Curriculum Committee of the Board’s decision regarding the deletion/deactivation of academic programs. |
A link to view relevant documents for the program deletion/deactivation process will be provided upon formal announcement.
What is an academic portfolio review?
An academic portfolio review is a routine process academic institutions regularly undertake to help determine and inform what academic programs they should be delivering. It is designed to strengthen alignment between the University’s mission, fiduciary responsibility, students’ interests and the needs of stakeholders in order to create the most meaningful educational opportunities for students and ensure a sustainable future for the University. The primary goal of this review is to ensure the University’s academic portfolio anticipates student interest and employer demand. Ultimately, it will inform future direction, priorities, and resource allocation and help determine what majors the University should and should not be delivering in the future.
Is the sole focus of an academic portfolio review determining what programs to eliminate?
No. At the same time as we are considering deleting and deactivating programs and curriculum, we are expanding and creating new opportunities for students in existing programs or new programs that are experiencing growing interest and demand.
Does anything change for current or admitted students?
Any decisions to eventually delete a major will have no impact upon any students currently enrolled in or accepted to these majors. The University will discontinue these majors only after all current and admitted students have completed their program of study. Student learning will be fully supported and resourced as before, in keeping with our commitment to promoting student success. We will provide a quality educational opportunity, and we will remain committed to fully supporting them through the completion of their program of study.
How do financial considerations shape these recommendations?
Discontinuing academic majors is a very difficult decision. It is, however, necessary to ensure that resources are allocated appropriately. The largest contribution to Utica University’s operating revenue are student tuition and fees. We therefore have a responsibility to our students and their families to invest those resources in a way that reflects student interest and employer demand.
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