Brigham Young University-Idaho implemented a series of academic restructuring changes this month, stating the changes are aimed at supporting program sustainability and strengthening collaboration across campus.

The changes, which took effect Jan. 1, were approved by the CES Board of Trustees on Dec. 15, 2025, and include department mergers, program relocations and college name changes.

University leadership stated that extensive conversations were held with affected departments and colleges prior to the decision, though final responsibility rested with academic administration.

Several academic units were reorganized under new or renamed colleges. The Department of Applied Plant Science and the Department of Animal and Food Science were combined to create the Department of Agriculture and Food Science, which joined the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

As part of the restructuring, the College of Physical Sciences and Engineering was renamed the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, while the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences became the College of Health and Life Sciences.

The Department of Health Services was discontinued, with its programs redistributed across campus. Public Health merged with Nursing to form the Department of Public Health and Nursing within the College of Health and Life Sciences. Health Care Administration moved to the Department of Business Management in the College of Business and Communications. The Occupational Safety and Health program moved to the Department of Design and Construction Management within the College of STEM.

University leaders said some programs were relocated to departments better positioned to recruit students and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration. In other cases, administrators cited opportunities for increased collaboration with related academic disciplines.

Some proposed mergers were not approved after faculty feedback. These included potential combinations involving the Departments of Humanities and Foreign Languages, Geology with Physics or Chemistry, and the Colleges of Languages and Letters with Performing and Visual Arts.

The university also noted that some restructuring changes allow faculty members previously serving in administrative roles to return to teaching positions.

While the restructuring affected multiple academic areas, some students have raised concerns about how departmental moves could influence program identity and career preparation.

Lily Weipert, a student studying in the Occupational Safety and Health program, said she was surprised by the program’s relocation within the College of STEM.

“I was shocked,” Weipert said. “I knew that construction was a part of our major, but design is not. In my opinion, our major has so much more to do with public health, health services and the well-being of everything and everyone around us.”

Weipert said she understands the reasoning behind placing the program alongside construction management but believes it aligned more closely with health-focused disciplines.

“I do believe that OSHA should have stayed with the College of Health Sciences,” she said. “OSHA involves a lot of knowledge in different sciences, public health, the care of others and safety.”

She said the change could affect how employers outside the construction industry view graduates of the program.

“For people like me who are looking to work in hospitals or with food safety, we are taking away the name that better described our studies,” Weipert said.

Weipert also said the decision raised concerns as she applies for jobs and internships outside the construction field.

“I believe that employers will see the College of Design and Construction and possibly think that I do not have the necessary skills needed to work for them,” she said.

She said she believes changes of this scale should involve more communication with students.

“The change in a program is ultimately affecting us,” Weipert said. “Not the professors.”

Despite the shift, Weipert said she hopes the program continues to emphasize health, science and well-being.