Wayne State University (WSU) to Close 57 Year Program for Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences

DETROIT, Aug. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 25, 2011 Dean Lloyd Young of the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences informed the Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences (OEHS) program faculty that he recommended to WSU's Board of Governors the closure of the OEHS program.  Dean Young, a native and long-time Californian, has resided in Michigan and been Dean for two years.  He stated his recommendation is strictly due to budgetary constraints.  However, upon closer scrutiny, eliminating OEHS will NOT save the University money.  It is budget neutral with tuition, fees and state capitation able to cover operating costs.  Additionally, $800,000 was removed from the OEHS account with no explanation from the Dean.  

Although the WSU OEHS program already operates on a limited budget, it is considered one of the top five Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) programs in the world.  The OEHS program is accredited by the American Board of Engineering Technologies.  The program's faculty is nationally recognized in the fields of industrial hygiene and toxicology.  They come from diverse professional backgrounds, which provide students with practical expertise along with technical knowledge.  OEHS graduates use their education to protect the health and safety of workers and the community.  Many remain in Michigan to enhance the working environment in manufacturing industries including automotive, government [Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration], health care, academia and consulting.

Dr. Edward Kerfoot, OEHS program director, is the retired Director of Toxicology and Industrial Hygiene at BASF Corporation.  He states: "It is a travesty to eliminate a program that has been providing competent, well-trained EHS professionals for decades.  What a shame that OEHS would be eliminated in the midst of a manufacturing renaissance in Detroit and southeast Michigan."

The Wayne State University Board of Governors will meet on September 21, 2011 to determine the final fate of the OEHS program.  The Board of Governors can be contacted using the following link; http://bog.wayne.edu/ or the address and phone below.

Contacts:

http://cphs.wayne.edu/oehs/index.php

Julie H. Miller, Secretary to the WSU Board of Governors
313-577-2034; [email protected]

Dean Lloyd Young, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
313-577-1574; [email protected].

Ronald T. Brown, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
313-577-2200; [email protected]

Allan D. Gilmour, WSU President, Office of the President
313-577-2230; [email protected]; [email protected]

Edward Kerfoot, Director OEHS
313-577-1210; [email protected]

SOURCE Wayne State University - Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences