The Provost Office has gone through a number of changes this semester, including eliminating positions and combining programs.

One secretarial position and two administrative positions have been eliminated because of the reorganization, said Ellen Rasmussen, assistant provost.

She said the reorganization is an ongoing process that could result in more positions being eliminated, specifically in the international program.

The vice provost position of the undergraduate program was eliminated, as was the associate provost of the undergraduate program.

In addition, Ben Allen, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said the undergraduate and graduate programs have been combined.

“I believe that I can maintain and create the best education programs for students at both graduate and undergraduate levels,” Allen said. “Having both together should improve academic programming and the use of them.”

He said this change should make the office run more efficiently, but said it is still too early to tell what may happen in the long run.

Allen said the office has been running quite smoothly so far and everyone seems to be pleased with the transition.

Allen said by combining the two programs, the office should maintain a high level of service for the students.

Through this new setup, the university should be able to keep more classes and run more effectively.

Susan Carlson, associate provost for faculty advancement and diversity, said the reorganization will save the university hundreds of thousands of dollars in administrative costs and will also save students money.

“Your money will be put in departments closer to where it can be used more importantly,” she said.

“The idea behind this is that by putting both undergraduate and graduate programs under the same person — Dr. Allen — things can be run more efficiently and conveniently having them both together.”

The Provost Office oversees the colleges of Iowa State and is involved in the education programs they offer.

Having fewer people in the office is obviously difficult and makes more work for those left, Allen said, but it should pay off.