The management department at UW-La Crosse is making some changes. Instead of offering three separate tracks within the management major, the program is being condensed to one.

Previously, the department offered human resources, international management and general management and technology as three separate options. Courses will still be offered in these areas, but students will no longer choose a track.

Instead, they will pursue a more generalized business management degree and have the option to take elective classes in areas that interest them. Therefore, students can still pursue courses in areas such as human resources, but it will not be specified on a transcript as part of the degree.

Students already enrolled in the management program will have the option to continue with the old program, or they can opt to use the new program as well. Last year’s freshman and this year’s freshman, however, can only enroll in the new program.

Tom Kuffel, chair of the management department, explained that these changes were motivated by a combination of budget cuts and staffing needs.

By eliminating the separate tracks, the department will be able to recruit more general staff instead of hiring specialists specifically for each track, Kuffel said.

Kuffel also explained that removing the tracks will benefit the program immensely. With this change, the department will be able to broaden the pool of applicants and hire the most qualified and versatile staff for the program.

Management professor John Betton sees the need for an up-to-date curriculum as another motivation for change. He said that the department became associated with The Global Compact and Principles for Responsible Management Education in 2008, both of which support an updated curriculum. Betton also added that the changes align well with the direction of accreditation.

The management department has hopes that the new program will be more flexible for students. Instead of having to wait a year for a course to be offered within their track, the new program will allow students to have fewer limitations in the courses they can take.

Management professor Dr. Thomas Hench explained that this new curriculum will be beneficial for students. “Our changed curriculum marks the end of many years of effort and review that we believe has led us to a much-improved curriculum across effectively every conceivable dimension. It is more integrated, more unified, more current, and more flexible than what we had before, while still honoring and preserving the best of what already existed,” he said.

As these changes take place, the department has a positive outlook on the new program. Betton said, “The majority of the department is in favor and are enthusiastic.” Kuffel also expressed great anticipation for the program. He said, “We as a department are excited. There’s always going to be growing pains, but eventually people are going to like the changes.”