A committee appointed by the Provost Office is looking at the possibility of restructuring the division of International and Special Programs.

The division includes such departments as the Center for Black Studies, Foreign Language Residence Program, University Resources for Latinos and University Resources for Women.

The division was created about 20 years ago. New programs that “needed a place to hang their hats” sometimes did not fit into an existing division of the college and were placed into this one, said Jim Mellard, English professor and chair of the committee to review the department.

Daniel Whit has been dean of the division of International and Special Programs since it began. As of Dec. 31, Whit will be retiring from his position.

The Provost Office appointed Lynn Waldeland (Provost Office), Lynn Nealie (College of Business), John Niemi (College of Education), Carroll Moody (Faculty Senate), Alfonzo Thurman (College of Education), Dawn Scheffner (Career Planning and Placement Center), Ladd Thomas (Liberal Arts and Sciences) and Jim Mellard (Liberal Arts and Sciences) to review the restructuring of the division.

The committee was created to look over the department, “not assuming it has to be changed,” said Mellard, but the Provost Office felt it was time to look at its structure, see how it is working for everyone and see how, and if, it can be improved.

The division is a mix of many different programs, and the committee wants to see if the different departments work together even though they are so diverse, Mellard said.

The committee might not have been formed if it were not for the retiring of Dean Whit, but the idea did not come about just because of his retirement, Mellard said.

Students, faculty and staff can do one of two things, write a letter to the department or attend the open hearing Oct. 30 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Holmes Student Center, Room 506.

Mellard encourages those with responses to write as soon as possible, because after the meeting on Oct. 30, it will be too late. The committee hopes to file a report by Thanksgiving.