WVU: West Virginia Univ. Recommends Cutting 169 Faculty Positions, 32 Majors. More Schools

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Last edited Sat Aug 12, 2023, 10:50 PM - Edit history (1)

WVU Recommends Cutting 169 Faculty Positions, 32 Majors, WVMetroNews, 8.11.23. Ed.

🎓 MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — WVU is recommending the university eliminate 169 faculty positions following a review of every academic program. It’s part of what officials have described as a repositioning of the university with the changing higher education landscape that includes declining student enrollment. The elimination of 169 faculty would represent about a 7% cut.

Enrollment has declined from 31,000 in 2014 to about 26,000 this year, and WVU anticipates a continued drop to 21,000 by 2033. This year’s budget deficit is $45 million and WVU is looking at a $75 million annual deficit moving forward if it takes no action. So the university is now taking steps to reduce programs and staff to cut its budget by $45 million — about 3% of its overall budget.

The preliminary recommendations released Friday include discontinuing 32 of 338 majors impacting 147 undergraduate students and 287 graduate students.

“While we view these preliminary recommendations for reductions & discontinuations as necessary, we are keenly aware of the people they will affect,” WVU President Gordon Gee said in a news release Friday afternoon. “We do not take that lightly. These faculty are our colleagues, our neighbors & our friends. These decisions are difficult to make. Among the programs recommended for discontinuance, World Languages including all 32 faculty positions.

WVU is also recommending the elimination of several programs in the College of Creative Arts, grad. programs in higher education admin. & special education. Many of the cuts are being recommended because of low student enrollment & the expense of the particular program. While many of other programs survived this review there will be changes ahead. It’s recommended the WVU College Law eliminate 2 professors & make meaningful revisions to its curriculum...

- More, https://wvmetronews.com/2023/08/11/wvu-recommends-cutting-169-faculty-positions-32-majors/

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