U. of Wisconsin at Stevens Point Proposes Cutting 13 Programs, Mostly in Liberal Arts

The University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point wants to eliminate 13 academic programs, primarily in the liberal arts, and the cuts, if carried out, could result in the layoff of tenured faculty members, according to a university news release.

Administrators cited the campus’s $4.5-million deficit and declining enrollment as reasons for the cuts, according to the release. To increase enrollment, officials want to add 16 programs “in areas with high-demand career paths” such as computer information systems, finance, and chemical engineering, among many others. Eight other existing programs, including environmental engineering and captive wildlife, would be expanded into majors or degrees under the plan....

   ...more

Ken Notes: These are very difficult decisions but if the UWSP can improve their environmental programs this may be a trade worth making. I like the idea of a member of the UW system becoming world renowned in an area and UWSP has clearly done that in environmental areas. If each of the UW System schools could specialize to some degree we could offer a world class education to more students in the state.