IU’s Bold Move: Merging Nearly 250 Degrees to Comply with New State Law—How It Affects Students

Indiana University recently decided to cut, merge, or suspend 249 degree programs. This decision follows a new law aimed at eliminating programs with low graduation rates. The law was included in the state budget without public discussion, and it took effect this week.

State leaders say the law is meant to streamline education and better link it to careers. However, many faculty members disagree. Alex Lichtenstein, chair of IU’s American studies department, believes that offering a wide variety of programs, even niche ones, makes IU unique. He argues these smaller majors allow students to discover new interests and opportunities.

The Commission for Higher Education confirmed the program cuts just days ago. While IU has been working to identify programs that fall below new thresholds—15 degrees for undergraduates, 7 for master’s, and 3 for doctoral programs—faculty are skeptical about the rushed process involved. Lichtenstein noted that significant changes like these typically require extensive discussion and review, which did not happen here.

Across Indiana, over 400 programs—which is about 19%—have been cut from various colleges. The reasons behind the new minimums are unclear, leaving faculty questioning their validity. “Did they just make this up?” Lichtenstein asked, expressing concerns about the lack of thoughtful planning.

Faculty also worry about job security. While the law doesn’t specifically require layoffs, McLeod, a professor in religious studies, pointed out that faculty costs are often the largest expense of a program. She noted that merging programs may not necessarily lead to cost savings if many faculty members remain employed.

On the other hand, Gov. Mike Braun praised the changes, claiming they will ensure students acquire the skills that Indiana’s economy demands. Chris Lowery, Indiana’s Commissioner for Higher Education, reinforced this notion, stating that the universities have set an example for others by voluntarily reviewing and reducing programs.

However, McLeod cautioned that cutting programs can lead to long-term consequences. The job market is unpredictable; fields that seem irrelevant today could be vital tomorrow. For example, emerging industries like artificial intelligence were not even considered a decade ago.

Indiana University is leading in these changes, suggesting significant impacts on over 200 programs. Many low-enrollment degrees will be merged, allowing students to transition into broader tracks. For instance, some Bachelor of Science in Education programs with no current students are being integrated under a more general Secondary Education degree.

Despite these changes, students can still complete their degrees through a “teach-out” process for the suspended programs. Nevertheless, the fear among faculty is palpable. They worry that they’ll not only lose their programs but potentially their jobs as well. Communication about these changes has been minimal, leading to further uncertainty.

These cuts may not just affect specific degrees; the overall range of options available to students could shrink significantly. Lichtenstein emphasized that many students engage with American Studies courses, even if they don’t officially major in it. “They’re not under-enrolled; they just don’t have a large number of majors,” he remarked.

With the shifting landscape of higher education in Indiana, students and faculty alike are anxious about what’s to come. The long-term impact of these changes remains to be seen, but they already signify broader shifts in educational priorities—priorities that may not align with the evolving interests of students.

Source link