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University of North Carolina at Asheville The University of North Carolina (UNCA) is in dire financial straits. As a result, President Kimberly van Noort is proposing to cut four academic programs and shrink another. The plan is intended to address a $6 million deficit after a 25 percent drop in enrollment over the past five years.
Designed to remove programs
On June 13, President Van Nott announced that UNCA would phase out these departments.
- Ancient Mediterranean Studies
- drama
- philosophy
- Religious Studies
The plan also proposes shrinking the Department of Languages and Literature and eliminating the French and German majors. This decision was made after an academic review to address immediate financial issues and make strategic investments for future security.
Impact on students and teachers
The proposal guarantees that all currently enrolled students will be able to complete their declared major. President Van Nott promised that faculty and staff affected by the changes will be fully informed of job changes and receive university help to find new opportunities.
During the 2020 to 2023 school years, approximately 25 students per year graduated from these endangered programs. During those same years, UNCA graduated an average of 763 students per year, meaning approximately 3% of graduates came from these programs.
Financial and enrollment barriers
The University of North Carolina System Board of Governors The proposal will be considered at a meeting on July 25. A review of academic records revealed on May 1 highlighted UNCA’s financial difficulties due to:
- Enrolment has fallen 25% in five years
- Rising operating expenses
- UNC System funding cuts
Van Noort stressed the need for strategic planning to improve UNCA’s curriculum, competitiveness and sustainability. She believes they must make difficult choices now to benefit future students.
Teacher and student responses
Religious studies professor Roger Payne expressed his displeasure with the decision on Facebook. His post claimed that the decision was made two years ago when Board of Directors They took control of the universities and planned to gradually abolish liberal arts education.
Sociology professor Volker Frank spoke of faculty confusion and concern about the future. He said specific outcomes for tenured professors and affected departments remain uncertain.
Student government leaders Liv Barefoot (president) and Alondra Barrera Hernandez (vice president) expressed frustration at not being able to participate in negotiations on these reforms. They claimed that they were promised transparency but failed to deliver.
Impact on the community
Leslee Johnson, coordinator of humanities, noted that these programs are very important to the liberal arts and UNCA culture. According to him, these programs greatly promote community engagement by increasing understanding among people.
Professor Sophie Mills Ancient Mediterranean StudiesAnd I feel especially sad for the younger employees, who don’t deserve such an unexpected setback.
Administrative choices and future goals
Following the academic review, First Tryon Advisors (Charlotte) recommended that 14 academic majors be analyzed for possible cuts or elimination. Faculty members opposed the move, saying it unfairly targeted higher-paid departments or professors on leave.
The principal said regular reviews would be conducted every few years to ensure financial stability. Reviewing smaller departments to balance the budget has become a growing trend in schools.
wrap up
The proposal to end four UNCA programs and scale back another is a dramatic response to its funding problems. While the move is intended to address a huge deficit, it has left faculty, students and the broader community concerned about UNCA’s future commitment to the liberal arts.
UNCA’s website provides more details about the plan and what it might mean. In these trying times, stakeholders are optimistic about a solution that will preserve the credibility of UNCA’s academic mission.
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