Students at UNC discussing the future of academic programs amidst budget cuts.
UNC Asheville and UNC Greensboro have announced cuts to several academic programs due to budgetary constraints and declining enrollment. UNCG will eliminate 20 programs, while UNCA will cut 5. Current students can complete their degrees, but no new admissions will occur in these majors. The decisions stem from new funding policies that link university funding to performance metrics, prompting both institutions to reassess their academic offerings to align with student demands and workforce needs.
In a move that has stirred up plenty of conversation, UNC Asheville (UNCA) and UNC Greensboro (UNCG) have made the tough decision to cut several academic programs at their institutions. With increasing budget pressures and a noticeable decline in enrollment numbers, both universities are taking significant steps to streamline their offerings.
At UNCG, a total of 20 academic programs have been affected. Meanwhile, UNCA is not far behind, with 5 programs also on the list for elimination. To clarify, current students who are already enrolled in these affected majors can still complete their degrees, but no new students will be admitted to these programs starting from the fall semester of 2023.
So, what’s behind these big decisions? The changes are largely attributed to financial strain and fewer students choosing to enroll. The recent shift in funding policies by the UNC System Board of Governors has linked university funding more closely to performance metrics rather than just relying on the number of students enrolled. This change, which was introduced in 2022, has made universities rethink their academic offerings.
Despite this shift, schools still receive a portion of their funding based on student credit hours, adding yet another layer of complexity to the funding puzzle. The Board of Governors has made it a requirement for all UNC System universities to regularly assess their academic portfolios—essentially checking to see what is working well and what, unfortunately, may not be meeting current educational demands.
The proactive measures put forth by the Board of Governors started gaining momentum back in May. They recognized that without these evaluations, universities might not navigate budgetary challenges effectively. By conducting regular reviews, which occur at least every seven years, schools can make adjustments before facing larger, sweeping cuts.
Chancellor Kimberly van Noort of UNCA has pointed out that there has been a significant “reluctance to scrutinize” academic programs in the past, which contributes to the troubling enrollment figures. Even during the review process at UNCG, there were strong protests from students and faculty expressing their disagreements with the cuts. This reflects a wider concern that many may feel about the future of academic offerings at these institutions.
As part of this review process, both universities will examine various factors playing into their academic programs. Key components will include student demand for particular degrees, the needs of the workforce, associated program costs, the outcomes achieved by students, and the contributions of these programs to crucial professions in North Carolina.
Based on findings from these reviews, programs might be expanded or altered while some may unfortunately be entirely eliminated. This approach aims for a more comprehensive and strategic way to evaluate what the institutions offer moving forward.
According to David English, the chief academic officer for the UNC System, the newly revised policy is designed to equip universities with better tools for future planning. Each university chancellor is expected to present their review policies to their Board of Trustees by January 1, 2025, cementing their commitment to this ongoing evaluation process.
As conversations continue to grow around these changes at UNCA and UNCG, it’s clear that the landscape of education in North Carolina is evolving. With a focus on ensuring that programs align with both student and workforce needs, these universities are hoping to attract more students in the years to come. Stay tuned as we keep a close eye on these developments.
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