At Montclair State University (MSU), students and faculty are worried about a recent plan to reshape the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CHSS). This proposal aims to group various disciplines into interdisciplinary schools, which means that traditional departments may be phased out.
Jazmin Perez, an English major, expressed her fears. “This change might hurt MSU’s mission to offer accessible education,” she said. In response, she started a petition that has gained over 3,000 signatures, mostly from students and faculty.
So, what is this restructuring plan? It puts 19 social sciences and humanities subjects into four schools. For instance, Psychology, Linguistics, Social Work, and Religion would merge into a single school focused on human behavior. This model seeks to foster collaboration but has raised concerns about the loss of individual department control over hiring and curriculum.
MSU’s Assistant Vice President of Strategic Content, Andrew Mees, shared that this shift is partly due to falling enrollment in CHSS. While Psychology has seen a 22% increase in enrollment, the overall CHSS enrollment has dropped by 9% over the last five years when excluding Psychology.
Some faculty members, like Lee Behlman, worry about losing department chairs, who play vital roles in managing courses and hiring. Behlman argues that without these chairs, the faculty’s power to create a specialized curriculum could decrease. Similarly, Caroline Dadas highlighted that chairs serve as advocates for students and faculty alike.
Mees, however, reassured that faculty will still have significant input over curriculum decisions. A resolution passed by the University Senate on Nov. 19 emphasizes the importance of chair-led departments.
Students are concerned too. Jazmin Perez fears that beloved courses might vanish. Another student, Miranda Kawiecki, worries that merging fields like English and Philosophy into broad categories could deter students from enrolling in the humanities.
Regarding faculty engagement in the restructuring process, Mees mentioned that the plan stemmed from ideas presented by a faculty committee. However, only 78 out of 850 faculty members participated in a survey to gauge support for proposed changes. Critics argue the administration’s plan does not reflect faculty input.
As the situation unfolds, MSU’s administration will move forward by naming the new schools and detailing their functions. A student-led protest will take place outside Dickson Hall on Dec. 1, signaling continued concern and engagement from the community.
This restructuring exemplifies a broader trend in higher education, with many institutions grappling with declining enrollment in humanities programs. According to a recent survey by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 30% of students express interest in humanities courses but say they feel pressured to focus on more career-oriented fields.
This matter isn’t just about degrees. It’s about maintaining a rich educational environment that honors diverse fields and the career paths they can create. A balance between interdisciplinary cooperation and respect for specialized knowledge is crucial for the future of MSU and other institutions facing similar challenges.
