01/23/2015
I'm posting the body of an email that was sent out from Dr. Yasser Gowayed and Dr. Gisela Buschle-Diller regarding the pending elimination of the Polymer and Fiber Engineering (formerly Textile) Engineering department:
Dear Alumnus/Industry Partner,
Last week, the faculty were informed of the Dean’s recommendation to the Provost to eliminate the Polymer and Fiber Engineering undergraduate program (PFEN) at Auburn University. This was mainly justified by the limited number of students in the program and, accordingly, the high cost of offering the program. Instead of a BSc degree in Polymer and Fiber Engineering, the Dean suggested offering a specialization (3 courses only) or a minor. Many members of the faculty posed valid arguments against eliminating the program and replacing it with a minor, but, unfortunately, the Provost is still moving to implement the Dean’s recommendation.
As an Alumnus/Industry Partner you are a stakeholder of our program and represent the future of the industry. You have a say in this discussion. If you agree that eliminating the undergraduate program is a mistake, please send an email to the Provost (provost@auburn.edu), cc’ing the President (jgogue@auburn.edu). We attached a template to this email hoping to highlight reasons for why Auburn University should continue to offer the PFEN undergraduate program. You may choose to use the template, modify it, or write your own letter. We just urge you to act as soon as possible.
Thank you for your support over the years and your willingness to save our undergraduate program. Please forward this email to your classmates and other industry people who might be interested.
Yasser Gowayed and Gisela Buschle-Diller
Professors of Polymer and Fiber Engineering
Auburn University
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Dear Provost Boosinger,
I was informed that steps have been taken by Auburn University’s administration to eliminate the Polymer and Fiber Engineering undergraduate program (PFEN). As an Alumnus/Industry Partner, I would like to express my disagreement with this decision. It is a unique program in the State of Alabama that is accredited by ABET.
Polymers, fibers and composites are essential materials that constitute many of the products we use in our daily lives. Graduates with this background knowledge are needed in the aerospace, transportation, food, medical, sports equipment, defense and protective materials industries, as well as many branches of the government. It is a young program with a lot of potential for growth and limitless possibilities of expansion. Simultaneously, Alabama is playing an increasing role in the manufacture of aerospace, automotive and marine products and the supplying industries because of the favorable business climate. As these industries grow, engineering graduates with comprehensive knowledge of polymers and composites will be even more sought after.
I strongly recommend saving the program from elimination and giving the students a chance to learn a field of engineering that is important to our lives and the economy of the State.
Best regards,
