Board of Trustees members Carlos Azcoitia and Grace Dawson pushed for a discussion for a possible implementation of a doctoral program.
The issue was pursued during the Sept.18 Board meeting and a motion was set to ask University President Sharon K. Hahs to give feedback to the feasibility of implementation of a doctoral program to be included in the Strategic Goals compiled by the Strategic Planning Committee at the next board meeting.
“We are not ready for a doctoral program,” said Hahs. She explained that allocations from the state and procedures to open a doctoral program are not available in the immediate future. She commented that the university must first raise graduation rates and achieve the plans laid out in the six Strategic Goals as presented in the President’s Report to Board of Trustees.
This motion stirred opposition in the manner of presentation of the request placed by Secretary Azciotia. Board Chairman Walter Dudycz wanted to delay the motion to allow Azcoitia to present this request in writing, rather than “commanding the president to make a decision,” said Dudycz. Board member Edward Dykla added, “We are voting on something we can’t see, it’s like we’re voting on a contract we didn’t read.”
Azcoitia defended his choice by requesting this topic of a doctoral program to continue to be discussed between the Board members.
“We have a lot on our plate and we want to be successful,” said Hahs and added a request that the board, “to put it off for at least a year.”
NEIU is the only public university in the city of Chicago not offering a doctoral program, and one of three public universities in the state not offering a doctorate program out of the 13 public universities in the state.