In an effort to adapt to students' changing wants and needs, Slippery Rock University is considering moving some programs from its College of Health, Engineering and Science and starting a new school, a College of Health Professions.

The university's Council of Trustees heard from John Bonaguro in the Academic and Student Affairs Committee meeting Thursday. Bonaguro, who was hired to be founding dean of the new school, told the council that the creation of the school would allow for more focused programming of majors in health careers, and it would create better synergy with the faculty and students in the programs.

He also said prospective students in search of programs in health careers are more likely to choose a school with a dedicated program.

“It would help gain visibility, expand opportunities and help bolster accreditation,” he said in his presentation. “If we don't do this, you lose a lot of synergy.”

Some of the programs that would move from the College of Health, Engineering and Science to the College of Health Professions include physical therapy, occupational therapy and public health and social work.

According to Bonaguro's presentation, enrollment in undergraduate health professions has decreased from 2013 to 2020, but graduate enrollment in the college has increased during the same period.

The cost of creating the college would be around $583,000, which covers faculty salaries, operating costs, student wages and projects and start-up costs.

The council did not take any action regarding Bonaguro's presentation on the College of Health Professions, but several trustees had questions about the feasibility of its creation.

Amanda Yale, chief enrollment officer, said incoming students are looking for a dedicated space on campus for their major, and separating programs into a specific college will help SRU stand out.

“We need the health professions identified as a unit; we need the engineering identified eventually as a unit,” she said. “If they are in health professions, they're looking for, 'Where is my place?' They're not looking for a classroom with chairs in it; they're looking for the kind of classroom they would expect in health professions.”

SRU president William Behre said the separation of programs could strengthen the university as a whole. He said the risk and cost are worth it to take steps to increasing the university's range and offerings.

“I don't see this with our existing program array as a massive growth measure,” Behre said. “I think it poises us to think about other programs down the road like the medical sales and things like that.”