The Department of Physics and Astronomy (DPA) and the Bartol Research Institute (BRI) have voted to merge into a single academic unit under the name DPA, with BRI as a research center within the Department.

Anticipated benefits include:

1. The merging units will become one academic unit administered within the College and the University.
2. The merging units will combine their distinctive areas of strength and expertise into a unit that is much more comprehensive and better coordinated. The merger is expected to lead to an increase of faculty research interaction, collective opportunities for scholarship, and extramural funding.
3. The merged unit is expected to expand course offerings in both the undergraduate and graduate programs, enhancing academic choices for students, with concomitant improvement in its degree programs.
4. The merger will facilitate additional course and curriculum development in astronomy, astrophysics, and space physics.
5. The merger is expected to increase dramatically the national ranking and visibility of the Department, and enable improved recruitment and retention of quality graduate students and faculty.
6. The merger will facilitate integration of office, technical staff, and space resources, enabling the Department to better serve the needs of its students and faculty members.

These benefits can be realized without negative impact on current programs and an improved framework is anticipated for future growth of both research activities and academic programs.

The results of the faculty vote are as follows:

DPA:  Approve - 14, Oppose - 2, Abstain - 3

BRI:  Approve - 11, Oppose - 0, Abstain - 1