In early April, a member of the Baldwin Wallace University administration sent an email to some faculty and staff announcing that the Board of Trustees will compile a second round of proposed academic program cuts and mergers.
The decision came after months of administrative deliberation, and the email largely attributed the plan to budgeting issues, the expected nationwide enrollment cliff, rising costs of college and the value of college degrees.
According to the email, another factor for the program cuts involves class sizes. Majors that have lower enrollment are more likely to be cut than majors with higher enrollment.
A decision has yet to be made regarding these academic programs; however, further recommendations about the programs in question will be presented to President Bob Helmer on Sept. 15.
As students and staff wait for further information, some faculty expressed concern over the effects of unclear communication surrounding these issues.
“I came to campus, and my department was down, as in everyone was mentally down. A couple of professors said that they hadn’t slept the previous night. Two professors I know have prepared to clean out their offices … and don’t expect to be here [much longer],” said Paul Peters, an adjunct film studies professor.
More information about the proposed academic cuts to come over the summer and early into the 2024-25 academic year as details become available.
