Towson University Announces Closure of Women’s and Gender Studies Department: What It Means for Students and the Community

Towson University plans to dissolve its women’s and gender studies department next fall due to declining student interest. Although students can still major or minor in the field, the department will be merged under the interdisciplinary programs group. This move reflects a broader trend in academia where some universities are consolidating low-enrollment programs.

Cindy Gissendanner, the chair of the department, expressed disappointment, highlighting the struggle for department status as a significant part of the program’s identity. Established in 1973, Towson’s women’s studies program has a rich history and offers minors in LGBTQ Studies. It emphasizes understanding the diverse experiences shaped by gender, sexuality, race, and class.

Recent data shows a concerning trend in enrollment. In 2018, 38 students majored in women’s and gender studies at Towson. This number dwindled to just 11 last fall. Gissendanner fears that the program’s new status will affect funding and visibility, meaning fewer resources for events and initiatives.

Interestingly, national enrollment trends portray a mixed picture. A 2024 report from the National Women’s Studies Association indicates that interest might be rising again, particularly in response to political events like the repeal of Roe vs. Wade. According to another 2024 report from the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, more than three-quarters of department chairs believe enrollments have remained steady or increased over the past few years.

Across the nation, universities like the University of California Santa Cruz and Wichita State University have made similar administrative changes. Towson’s experience reflects a larger conversation in academia about the value and future of women’s and gender studies.

Gissendanner believes that Towson has been a pioneer in this field, making the change hard to accept. “We have a proud history, and now this shift feels like a setback,” she said. As students and faculty navigate these changes, the future of women’s and gender studies remains an essential and evolving topic in education. For more on this issue, you can check out the National Women’s Studies Association report here.

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