College of Health

The rationale for creating a College of Health (COH) has consistently centered on incorporating the values and mission of Cal State East Bay while addressing critical workforce and healthcare needs in our region. Much of the information presented here is drawn from the report submitted by the Implementation Task Force, whose work underscored the campus’s commitment to integrating themes of social and health equity, as well as palliative care, into the proposed College of Health (COH). These priorities are in direct response to current and projected regional healthcare demands.

The Implementation Task Force report outlines the proposed mission, vision, and values for the COH as follows:

Proposed Mission

Through high-quality, innovative, interdisciplinary education, research, creative activities, and practice, we embrace, prepare, and foster a diverse and inclusive learning community of students, staff, and faculty to promote health, support well-being, and advance health equity.

Proposed Vision

To build a locally responsive and globally aware community of health professionals who, collectively and individually, will positively transform health outcomes in the San Francisco Bay Area region, California, and beyond.

Proposed Values

The College of Health will strive to:

  • Create welcoming climates.
  • Commit to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Social Justice.
  • Advocate for individual and community health and well-being.
  • Pursue curricular and research innovations.
  • Deliver relevant, innovative, and engaging programs of study.
  • Embrace interprofessional collaboration.
  • Engage in evidence-informed research, practice, and education.
  • Practice a learner-centered approach.
  • Support productive partnerships and community engagement.
  • Contribute to sustainable practices and systems development.

The Implementation Task Force report also identified potential donors, grant opportunities, projects, and collaborations to support the COH. By reorganizing existing colleges and programs, the creation of a College of Health can be achieved in a relatively budget-neutral manner. Elevating health-related programs into a unified COH will provide significant benefits for students pursuing educational and professional opportunities in healthcare. It will offer faculty in these programs enhanced opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, both within the university and with external healthcare partners. The COH will address workforce and healthcare needs in our region.

The creation of a College of Health (COH) has been a collaborative and consultative process with the CSU campus community.  It is crucial to get the input of all of the potentially affected departments on campus. As such, was solicited from the departments of Public Health, Social Work, Kinesiology, Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism, Education, as well as from Senate members and staff/faculty across campus during Fall 2024.   Faculty representation was included in both the Feasibility Study and the Implementation Task Force, and their reports were shared with the campus community. Most recently, during the 2024-2025 academic year, consultations regarding the reorganization to establish a COH have taken place within the Academic Senate.

On September 9, 2024, the President and the Senate Chair issued a joint message to the campus community about the proposed college reorganization. Since then, numerous opportunities have been provided for faculty and staff to share feedback on the process and potential reorganization models. Input has been collected through the Senate portal, Executive Committee and Senate meetings, and campus Listening Sessions.

Specific data related to proposed models has been requested and will be made available to the Academic Senate. By February 11, 2025, the Academic Senate is expected to provide a formal recommendation to the President.

Timeline

August 2021 - President Sandeen announces possible forming of a new College of Health, Feasibility Task Force is created

June 2022 - Feasibility Task Force Report published

Feb - April 2023 - Implementation Task Force created; Town Halls regarding the possible implementation of College of Health

May 2023 - Implementation Task Force Report published

Nov 2023 - President's Final Decision regarding College of Health - new College of Health will move forward and include Kinesiology, Nursing, Public Health, Speech Language and Hearing Science and Social Work

Sept 2024 - President and Senate Chair issue joint statement about the College of Health reorganization

Sept 2024 - Oct 2024 - detail possible models of College reorganization; consultation process for reorganization; feedback process for reorganization and deadline; delayed consultation timeline and potential new deadlines; updates

Oct 2024 - Deans and Chairs discuss college reorganization

Oct 2024 - Senate votes on a delayed reorganization timeline

Nov - Dec 2024 - Listening sessions with President and Provost on college reorganization from departments of:  Public Health, Nursing, Kinesiology, Social Work, Speech Language and Hearing, Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism, and Education.  There was also a campus-wide listening session to solicit perspectives from the broader campus community.

Dec 2024 - College reorganization updates from