Optometry students hold signs on Friday in support for their Dean Melissa Trego during a rally at Salus University in Elkins Park. The leadership of Salus has removed the dean as the university works to implement its merger with Drexel University.The leadership of Salus University is removing the dean of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, which is part of Salus, as the university continues to implement a merger with Drexel University, faculty said Friday.
“As such, any decisions made regarding academic operations at Salus are handled by the Salus administration,” Drexel said. “Drexel looks forward to the final merger at which time in accordance with accreditation requirements, the College of Optometry will remain a standalone college.” “I’ve witnessed things that I do think have contributed to low board scores,” said Maria Armandi, an assistant professor of optometry, citing a decrease in the applicant pool, more competition for students and a decline in the national average of scores. “Our dean is not one of them.
Faculty also are concerned about the potential impact the dean change will have on the school’s optometry re-accreditation process next year. All schools must undergo accreditation reviews regularly.