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Academic Structure Initiative Update: Human Ecology

The following is a letter sent to Provost’s Council from Joanne Keselman, Vice-President (Academic) and Provost

June 26, 2015 — 

As part of the University’s Academic Structure Initiative (ASI), the Faculty of Human Ecology and its departments have been exploring and formalizing structural changes. As a result of these discussions the Board of Governors approved three Senate recommendations:

  • that Human Nutritional Sciences move to the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences effective July 1, 2014;
  • that the Department of Family Social Sciences join the Department of Community Health Sciences effective July 1, 2015; and
  • that Textile Sciences join the Department of Biosystems Engineering, effective July 1, 2015.

Given that the Faculty of Human Ecology’s departments will all have joined with other faculties by July 1, 2015, the Faculty Council and Senate recommended that the Faculty of Human Ecology be closed effective July 1, 2015. The Board of Governors approved this recommendation on June 23, 2015.

Throughout its 105 year history at the University of Manitoba, the study of Human Ecology has evolved to reflect the educational and research needs of a changing society. It has grown from being a diploma in Household Sciences at the Manitoba Agricultural College in 1910 to become the School of Home Economics in 1943. In 1970, the School was granted official faculty status and in 1981, the Faculty changed its name to Human Ecology to reflect the diversification of curricula. In 2012, discussions about exploring partnerships between the Faculty of Human Ecology and other faculties were initiated as part of the university’s Academic Structure Initiative.

The transition of Human Nutritional Sciences, Family Social Sciences and Textile Sciences to their new faculties will enrich educational experiences for students in these areas, enhance leading edge, multi-disciplinary research, and forge new connections with community partners.

We respect and value the contributions that Home Economics and Human Ecology faculty, staff, students and alumni have made throughout the years and look forward to their continued contributions as we move into the future.

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