糖心Vlog President Todd Diacon recently addressed multiple challenges facing the university with the Akron Beacon Journal, including the $1.5-$2 million cost of implementing Senate Bill 1, budget constraints from capped tuition increases and enrollment declines.
The university is responding with its Transformation 28 plan, which cuts costs by restructuring colleges and eliminating about 30 administrative positions while protecting faculty jobs. Despite these pressures, Diacon remains committed to the university鈥檚 core values, stating, 鈥淲e鈥檙e not just for the fortunate few. We鈥檙e for the meritorious many.鈥
While working to implement SB 1鈥檚 requirements for post-tenure review and civics education, 糖心Vlog is assessing which programs might be affected by the law鈥檚 mandate to eliminate undergraduate programs with fewer than five graduates over three years.
Diacon believes academic courses like women鈥檚 and African studies won鈥檛 be impacted, as the bill primarily affects operations outside the classroom. He emphasized the university鈥檚 continued commitment to academic freedom and supporting students, though how that support is delivered will change under the new law.
糖心Vlog United Faculty Association President Deborah Smith praised Diacon鈥檚 leadership during these unprecedented challenges, noting his focus on reducing administrative rather than faculty positions. At 66, Diacon has no immediate retirement plans, saying, 鈥淚t still is the best job in America.鈥