Radical restructuring plans for Trinity College Dublin were given approval by the college board yesterday. However, the final decision on the number of departments and faculties in the college will not be taken until the end of the year.
Agreement on the restructuring plans reached yesterday would pave the way for "very substantial changes", college secretary, Mr Mike Gleeson, told The Irish Times.
"What has been agreed is a substantial reduction in the number of both departments and faculties," according to Mr Gleeson, who said that negotiations on the issue would now be undertaken.
"This will be decided not later than December 2004. Preliminary clarification on the issue will be given by November," Mr Gleeson explained.
Last night's unanimous decision by the board was "very radical", according to Mr Gleeson who said that it was a decision in principle to move towards bigger academic units and fewer faculties.
The meeting last night followed extensive consultation, which involved all members of the college community.
Trinity's senior academics indicated their opposition to the shake-up last month.
The Provost of Trinity College Dublin, Dr John Hegarty, believes radical restructuring is needed to cope with reduced State funding.
It was believed that these plans would see the number of academic departments cut from over 60 to less than 20 and the number of faculties cut from six to three. However, Mr Gleeson said that these figures have yet to be decided.
The relationship between academic, support and administration units will also be reviewed in the context of budgets being devolved to academic units, he stated.