As you may already be aware, the Fulton Schools of Engineering is beginning the planning process for an innovative new school into FSE structure and will be redesigning two other schools — the School of Computing, Informatics, and Decision Systems Engineering and The Polytechnic School. This proposed new school will be on the Polytechnic campus with its prominent foci including the future of work, industry 4.0, human-machine teaming and systems engineering. This is an important development in the evolution of the Fulton Schools and plays a critical role in how we are collectively working together to meet emerging societal needs.
This announcement is a change in how you’ve come to know the structure of the Fulton Schools, and we are excited about the opportunities this restructuring represents to, simply put, make an impact. We seek to advance our academic programs, student experience, faculty research, partnership engagement and positioning of FSE to not only address critical questions but lead in engineering education and research. Further, the reimagining of our schools owing to this restructuring is part of a transformation planned for the Poly campus that includes investment in new infrastructure for instruction, research facilities and personnel that will elevate both the Fulton Schools and the entire campus.
This proposed restructuring has some of our degree programs shifting into new schools. We are dedicated to engaging with affected parties in the early stages of this process; thus you are learning about these developments as details are being worked out. We understand there will be questions about how these changes may impact degree programs, among other aspects. We will consider all feedback and appreciate all perspectives.
While our goal is to implement for Fall 2021, we are following the university’s planning process for establishing new organizational units, and working as efficiently as possible through this process. Importantly, no changes to teaching schedules, including course locations on either the Tempe or Polytechnic campuses, will occur for the upcoming 2021-2022 academic year. Further, we will work with all continuing students over the next three years to facilitate the completion of their current degree on the campus where they began.
Our goals are focused on broadening access, advancing student success within and outside the classroom, enabling the research excellence of our faculty, and comprehensive external partnerships. FSE faculty and students are uniquely equipped to take on the world’s greatest challenges and the reasons FSE has become a recognized leader in engineering education and research and innovation at scale. So, as we continue along this path, we want to ensure that we are evolving our structure in ways that not only allow for sustained growth but will position FSE to make the greatest possible impacts with educational and research experiences that will prepare our students to succeed in any pursuit that awaits upon graduation and for our faculty to succeed at the highest levels of their discipline.
As these discussions continue during this important transition, we look forward to keeping you in the loop.
Find Frequently Asked Questions and more on the Fulton Schools website.
