In recent years, a troubling trend has emerged across the landscape of higher education in the United States: colleges and universities, both large and small, are increasingly being forced to slash academic programs and majors that have long been integral to their identity. These cuts, driven by financial necessity, are more than just a matter of budget management—they are reshaping the very fabric of the educational experience, often leaving students and faculty caught in the crossfire.
The root of this issue can be traced back to a confluence of factors. The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a severe blow to college enrollments, a trend from which many institutions have not fully recovered. Federal relief funds, which temporarily provided a lifeline, have now dried up, leaving colleges to face the harsh reality of balancing their budgets without external support. Compounding the problem, the cost of maintaining operations has risen steadily, while the number of high school graduates entering college has declined—a demographic shift exacerbated by the drop in birth rates following the Great Recession.
Institutions like St. Cloud State University in Minnesota exemplify the struggles facing many colleges. Once boasting an enrollment of over 18,000 students, the university has seen its numbers dwindle to around 10,000. Despite attempts to stabilize, the financial pressures have been relentless, culminating in a $32 million budget shortfall over two years. The response? A sweeping elimination of 42 degree programs and 50 minors, including the entire music department—a move that has upended the lives of students like Christina Westman, who had dreams of becoming a music therapist.
The cuts have far-reaching implications beyond mere financial savings. For students, the elimination of programs can disrupt their educational plans, forcing them to either change their major or transfer to another institution. This disruption is not only academic but emotional, as students grapple with uncertainty and the sudden need to reassess their futures. For faculty, the cuts often mean the loss of jobs or the dismantling of departments they have spent their careers building.
For instance, at St. Cloud State, music majors like Lilly Rhodes face the unsettling prospect of their department being phased out. As the program winds down, new students are no longer admitted, and the vibrant ensembles that once defined the department are shrinking. The sense of community and continuity is eroding, leaving both students and faculty to question the future of the arts at the institution.
St. Cloud State is far from alone in its plight. Across the country, colleges are making similar decisions. From Arkansas State University phasing out nine programs to North Carolina public universities eliminating majors in fields ranging from ancient Mediterranean studies to physics, the cuts are widespread. Even prestigious institutions like Pennsylvania State University are reviewing their degree offerings, searching for duplicative or under-enrolled programs that can be trimmed as student numbers decline.
Particularly hard-hit are the humanities, a field that has seen a significant decline in graduates over the past 15 years. As colleges prioritize programs with more direct career pathways, often in STEM fields, the liberal arts are increasingly on the chopping block. This shift reflects broader societal trends but also raises concerns about the future of a well-rounded education.
The ongoing wave of program cuts raises an unsettling question: can colleges and universities cut their way to sustainability? Experts like Bryan Alexander of Georgetown University express deep skepticism. The loss of academic diversity and the erosion of the humanities may yield short-term financial relief, but the long-term consequences for the quality and breadth of education are profound.
Moreover, the psychological toll on students and faculty cannot be underestimated. As Katharine Meyer of the Brookings Institution warns, the current climate of uncertainty may further depress enrollment, creating a vicious cycle that exacerbates the very financial problems these cuts are meant to solve.
In the face of these challenges, higher education institutions must find a balance between fiscal responsibility and the preservation of academic integrity. The path forward is fraught with difficult decisions, but the stakes—both for individual students and the broader societal role of higher education—are too high to ignore. As colleges navigate this precarious landscape, the hope is that they can innovate and adapt without losing sight of their core mission: to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and creators.
The attorneys at Outside Legal Counsel LLP are committed to supporting colleges, universities, and students through these challenging times. Whether you're an institution navigating program cuts or a student affected by these changes, we are here to provide expert guidance and ensure that your rights and interests are protected. Please reach out to us to learn more about our services and how we can help you navigate this rapidly evolving landscape.
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