The College of Engineering, while often considered one of the University's premiere program, faces possible reorganization after a $9 million loss in state funding this year.

To improve efficiency, college officials are mulling over structural changes, including eliminating an entire department.

"This is not the first time these matters have been raised," engineering dean David Daniel said. "Right now we're looking at them because of the very real budget constraints we're facing."

The options are merging the Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (TAM) department with the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (M&IE) department; separating Mechanical from Industrial Engineering (IE) and merging IE with General Engineering (GE); or dissolving the Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering (NPRE) department.

One faculty committee has been tasked to review each proposal, looking for redundancy or ways to reduce costs, Daniel said. An executive committee is overseeing the review and will give final recommendations to Daniel to approve.

Reports from the faculty committees are expected by the end of the semester.

Mark Kushner, coordinator for the three committees, said that maintaining the college's quality is top priority for all three committees.

"The intent is that no student's degree program will be affected," Kushner said.

While the committees are expected to take input from students, faculty and alumni, none of the committees have student representatives.

"This is a sensitive budget and personnel issue that isn't appropriate for students to be involved in at this juncture," he said.

But some faculty members said reorganization should not be considered a strictly financial move.

"I don't want to look at this as simply a money issue," said Robert Moser, vice-chair of the college's executive committee. "I think that would be the wrong way to go about this."

However, the lack of financial support for resources brought these issues to the forefront, Daniel said. Like the rest of the University, the college has lost significant funding during the state's economic downturn.

"If we had all the money we ever wanted, we wouldn't be having these issues," Kushner said.

Fliers have been handed out in several classes to inform students of the plans, though some students said they were clueless.

"I have not heard anything about this," said Nicole Anton, senior in general engineering.

Talk of changes has some faculty and students concerned, especially with the possibility that the NPRE department could be discontinued.

"There are no real opportunities to merge us. We're a very distinctive discipline," said Jim Stubbins, head of the NPRE department.

But the NPRE department's unique curriculum has made them vulnerable to the budget axe.

If the NPRE department is eliminated, the University could retain some degree programs or eliminate nuclear engineering degrees entirely, said associate engineering dean Bruce Vojak, who heads the committee addressing the NPRE department.

But not everyone sees reorganization as a quick fix.

"A lot of the argument started as a result of the budget situation. Right away, there's no immediate savings in doing these things — maybe in 10 or 12 years," Stubbins said.

Kushner too said the changes could increase costs temporarily.

"Sometimes these reorganizations will have a bit of a cost in the beginning," he said. "The savings in cost will be long-term, not immediate."

But Kushner said changes could make a better college. He pointed to the merger of the ceramics and metallurgy departments into the current material science and engineering department.

"As of today, we have the number one material science and engineering department, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels," Kushner said. "That's an example of how reorganization can be successful."

Some students, however, remain optimistic.

"I don't think there'll be that much change because, as it stands right now, I already have to take several TAM classes," said Evan Kereiakes, junior in mechanical engineering. "I don't think that merging the two departments will affect the curriculum."

To offset the college's budget losses, University officials increased the surcharge engineering students pay beyond tuition to $2,000. The tuition is expected to produce about $7 million a year and began with this year's freshman class.

Officials couldn't predict when any changes could begin, but Daniel said admitted students will not be affected.

"We feel we have an obligation, having admitted students to these programs, to see that they receive a degree," Daniel said.

When the committees return their reports, the executive committee will vote on the proposals. Then a faculty vote will be conducted followed by a motion in the University Senate.

The University provost will have to sign off on any changes and eventually a plan will be forwarded to the Illinois Board of Higher Education for approval, Kushner said.

"These are not easy questions," said Roscoe Pershing, ex-officio member of the executive committee of the college. "None of us are smart enough to know the answers, but we're working on this collectively to come up with the best possible solution."