Board suspends efforts on School of Pharmacy

Current national economy, accrediting association changes cited as factors in decision

By: Mary Tetzlaff

Posted: 2/10/09

On Monday morning at 11:55 a.m., University of Dallas students received a message forwarded from the University president, Dr. Francis Lazarus announcing the Board of Trustees's decision "to suspend its plans to establish a graduate school of pharmacy." The Board made the decision on Saturday, Feb. 7, and the President's office proceeded to notify the faculty, staff, students and press on the following Monday.

The message sent to faculty, staff and students cited "substantial changes from the accrediting association and the related costs involved" as well as "current national economic conditions" as the primary factors in the board's decision. In a press release, Lazarus said, "The degree of risk involved with beginning an entirely new school at this time is simply too great to be in the best interest of the University." Board of Trustees Chairman, Dan Cruse, further commented, "The landscape has changed substantially and we are in a very different economic climate from when we began this initiative."

The school of Pharmacy project was initiated in October of 2007. The proposal was a result of the research by a faculty committee on possible new programs. The board enthusiastically accepted the proposal and the project commenced. In fall 2008, Dr. George E. Mackinnon III was named founding dean and professor of the new School of Pharmacy. It was to be the first full pharmacy school in North Texas and was hoped to fill a "critical need in the region." Fundraising for the School of Pharmacy was also underway with UD administration hopeful for success.

Despite their initial confidence in and hope for the initiative, the board and UD administrators recognized the significant effects that the financial character of the nation has on the financial character of UD. As a result, the board suspended the initiative. There has been no further comment as to the nature of the suspension, whether temporary or indefinite. "The official language is that the effort has been suspended," said Lazarus.

With regard to the funds already raised for the School of Pharmacy, Lazarus said that it is currently "unclear" what will happen to them. "I cannot comment on how any money that's been collected has been used. The University is still investigating all of its responsibilities with respect to [the School of Pharmacy]."

Both Lazarus and Cruse specified the economic atmosphere of the nation as a principle factors in the Board's decision. Cruse commented, "The dramatically altered economic environment prevents the University from proceeding with this project."

Higher education in general has been struggling in the current economic conditions. "It's a very trying and challenging economy for us in the not-for-profit area," said Lazarus.

Reporting his experiences at recent conferences for college presidents, Lazarus said, "Colleges and universities in the Upper-Midwest, in the East and the North-East have been hit worst of anybody." Lazarus went on to add that, despite these difficulties, "Texas has been sort of insulated [economically]," and he is hopeful for UD's finances.

"Retention from the fall was about 95%," reported Lazarus, numbers with which he was pleased. When asked if there were other areas in the University where the economy might have adverse effects, Lazarus gave a hopeful, "No." He elaborated, "We don't see anything [adverse] right now. None of our vendors have spiked cost-so that doesn't concern us very much."

"I am concerned about what's going to happen to the budget next year," said Lazarus. But more information on the budget depends on a series of meetings happening over the next few weeks, including a University Council and a board meeting. "But so far there hasn't been anything that has jumped up as a big surprise to us or something that we hadn't been able to anticipate," noted Lazarus. On another hopeful note, though Lazarus recognized the dampening effect of the economy on fundraising possibilities, he emphasized, "But we have some [fundraising] opportunities."

Fundraising for current UD colleges is precisely the new orientation to which the board directed Lazarus. According to the announcement, "the University intends to concentrate its efforts on maximizing UD's core strength." Though no specific course of action has been mentioned, Lazarus confirmed, "[The board] wants me to continue to emphasize taking care of our faculty and staff. We want to be sure to do everything we can to do what fundraising we can."

Mary Powers, president of Student Government, echoed these sentiments. "Student Government is very glad to hear that the pharmacy school has been suspended. As before, we think it's a great idea to have a pharmacy school, but with the economic climate right now it's just not a good time," she said. Powers emphasized as well that now is the time "to focus on building our core values."

"It's unclear [what will happen to the funds already raised for the Pharmacy School]."

"Not much has been raised and what has been raised-not all of that has been collected. So that leaves the donors the right to not make the rest of their payments, or to allow us to use the money to finish whatever expenditures we have."

"I can't comment on how any money that's been collected has been used. The University is still investigating all of its responsibilities with respect to this."

"Right now the word indefinite is not being used. The official language is that the effort has been suspended. So that's where we stand and it will be suspended until the Board unsuspends it, if it either chooses to do that."

And there'll be more of that after the University Council meets at the end of the month, and then there's a Board meeting in March, and then after that, I'll know a whole lot more about what next year is going to look like."

"Texas has been sort of insulated [economically]."

"There's no specific orders there. They want me to continue to emphasize taking care of our faculty and staff. We want to be sure to do everything we can to do what fundraising we can."

After commenting on the dampening effect of the economy on fundraising possibilities, Lazarus optimistically emphasized, "But we have some [fundraising] opportunities."

"We continue with our integrated marketing and communication plan; we've strengthened our website this years; we're marketing just as much as we can."

"Student Government is very glad to hear that he Pharmacy school has been suspended. As before, we think it's a great idea to have a Pharmacy school but just with the economic climate right now, it's just not a good time. Especially with the financial state of the University-it is strong, but we need