The University of Akron in Ohio is retaining its polymer education programs, but dropping the "college."
In a revision of the university's operating system to help cut costs, officials said faculty and students from the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering would retain their place within the programs for both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
"During the feedback process, the alumni and external stakeholders were vocal about keeping PS and PE faculty together, but often recommended making it a department or a school," according to a reorganization plan released this week. "The brand presence of the title of 'college' is significant but the title of 'school' seems to be equivalent in most stakeholder's perception."
Polymer science would likely be merged into a related program, such as a new engineering, technology and applied science college or a STEM college program, according to the plan.