#provosts

#provosts

Temple is creating the vice provost for online and digital learning to lead a universitywide transformation in how we design, deliver and scale high-quality, flexible academic programs. This role is central to advancing our strategic plan, Forward with Purpose, particularly around expanding access, improving student success and increasing Temple's impact in Philadelphia and beyond.

Cuts that hurt are obvious: layoffs, program closures, college closures, furloughs, deferred maintenance, pay freezes, travel freezes, etc. It's a well-worn playbook at this point. Most of the moves in this category involve either attacking employee compensation, which causes obvious pain, or putting off necessary investments and living with gradual declines in quality.

This is a striking decision at a moment when public confidence in higher education is eroding. It is also puzzling because rigorous research and evaluation have demonstrated, over and over, the value of the work of centers for teaching and learning, including positive impacts on student learning outcomes, institutional effectiveness and faculty development.