Student-centered advice about the program closures

*Editor’s Note: Landon Peterson wrote a news article about the Academic Prioritization Plan last week.*

Last week, The Record reported that two majors are facing the possibility of closing, while many more programs are facing the possibility of program revisions and/or faculty reductions. There are two sides to this story: the real, reasonable and logistical nature of why this is happening, and the emotional gut reaction of programs potentially being closed.

Squarely in the middle are students, who will certainly be impacted by these decisions, even if they are still able to major in the potentially cut programs. This column seeks to address all three of those categories—subsequent results of the Academic Prioritization Plan (APP).

Firstly, this is happening because of the drop in enrollment, which no longer aligns the student body to the targeted student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1. The APP Final Report outlines that this process is intended to address two challenges: “‘right-sizing’ the faculty as a whole, while also reallocating resources to programs with higher demand and asking tough questions about the future of programs with low/decreasing student interest in the face of not only the steep enrollment declines already realized but the projected declines looming at mid-decade.”

All of that makes sense, particularly from a logistical point of view. We attend a private college that can, and should, do whatever the administration feels necessary to best position the colleges for financial success and, ultimately, survival as we approach the enrollment cliff, predicted to impact all colleges in 2025.

That being said, the APP Final Report recommends that the faculty be reduced by 28 professors, assuming that enrollment stabilizes, but as many as 55 if enrollment continues to trend downward to somewhere around 2,500 total CSB and SJU students. Which brings us to the emotional side of things. Over the next couple of years, we will see many great faculty depart the school, as they take advantage of the supposedly forthcoming incentivized retirement plan and cuts cover the deficit. Several programs will potentially be closed, transformed or lose the major, which may drastically lower the academic distinctiveness of this place.

This Editorial Board is well aware of the impact such potential-closures will have on the schools, and sympathizes with the future classes of students who will not get to major or minor in the affected programs. Three-fourths of the Editorial Board have fields of study (either a major or minor) that will potentially be affected. We are all eternally grateful for the holistic academic experience we have received at CSB+SJU—an experience highlighted by engaging classes, knowledgeable professors and enriching discussions among students in the potentially affected programs.

It’s important for students to take note of this process. Despite all current students being eligible to major and/or minor in any of the programs currently in the course catalog, even the ones that are potentially getting closed or reduced, it’s safe to assume that after decisions are finalized, the academic experience of students in a closed major or reduced program will not be the same.

Professors not retiring are certainly expected to apply to positions elsewhere, leaving current underclass students to finish their areas of study without them, and with few classes offered. Majoring in a closed program will not be the same as a major that maintains their current status. There will be a collateral effect as well: the alumni connections, networking opportunities and general interactive student experience will certainly take a hit with fewer professors and a lack of a central hub for the programs in question.

To underclass students—if you are part of any potentially affected academic programs, take it upon yourself to talk to your advisors to determine any expected impacts on your four year plan. Seeking out transparent information and advocating for yourself is essential. Without it, it’s impossible to have an accurate view of what all academic departments will look like in a year or two.