Published on Feb. 8, 2021

Dear faculty, staff and students,

As we evolve as an AAU land grant university, we must make bold and transformative moves to enhance our research mission and better serve our students for a changing future.

In keeping with these goals, today we will officially begin the process of restructuring the College of Human Environmental Sciences (HES). Over the coming months, we will work with deans, faculty, staff and students to reassign the vital academic departments housed in HES to other colleges and schools across campus by Aug. 1.

Our recent investments in research and facilities and our expertise in the health sciences, for example, are helping us meet the evolving demand from both industry and prospective students. These consolidations will bring researchers together; simplify student major choices; and synergize research, learning and teaching in a manner that allows the whole to be greater than the sum of the parts.

It is very important to note that no academic programs are being discontinued. This restructuring will enhance the academic and research strengths and partnerships at MU.

Faculty and staff within the departments currently housed within HES will have the opportunity to provide input and feedback to the Provost before any final decisions are made about the best academic homes for the departments. Those decisions are expected to be final within the next few weeks.

The departments include:

• Nutrition and Exercise Physiology
• Textile and Apparel Management
• Human Development and Family Science
• Personal Financial Planning
• Architectural Studies

In addition to these academic department changes, the Office of Research and Economic Development and the Office of the Provost will implement a university-wide “cluster hire” strategy that will identify areas for strategic faculty recruitment while keeping in mind the overall strengths, goals and vision of the university. Faculty who are recruited in this manner will be incentivized to work across departments and colleges on common and well-defined research problems.

Mizzou is a strong and vibrant university because of our continued ability to respond to the changing needs of our state, our ongoing commitment to excellence in the classroom and the continued success of our students.

Thank you to all of you for your part in delivering on this important mission.

Sincerely,

Mun Choi, Ph.D.

President, University of Missouri

Latha Ramchand, Ph.D.

Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs,

University of Missouri