Changes in Asheville’s Higher Education: Students React to Program Cuts at UNC Asheville

Changes Ahead for College Students in Asheville, NC

Asheville, North Carolina, is seeing some profound changes in its local university, and students are feeling the impact first-hand. Lilly Telfer, who once thrived in her program at UNC Asheville, is facing a tough choice that many students are grappling with these days.

Major Cuts in the University System

This past June, Telfer received an email that shook her world. Chancellor Kimberly van Noort announced that her beloved major, ancient Mediterranean studies, was among five academic programs slated for cuts. This decision was not made lightly. An outside consultant, First Tryon Advisors, recommended an examination of 14 programs due to a significant budget shortfall of approximately $6 million. With declining enrollment numbers over the years, the cuts primarily affected humanities programs, raising concerns among students and faculty alike.

The shifting landscape reflects a broader trend nationwide where colleges are intensifying their focus on degrees with a more direct path to employment, such as engineering and business, leaving traditional liberal arts programs behind.

Surprise and Shock

Telfer was aware that her program was at risk, but she couldn’t believe it when the email confirmed her worst fears. She expressed, “I never in a million years thought that my major was going to be cut.” Her disappointment runs deep, especially when considering the integrity of her education. For students who declared their majors before the cuts, they will still be able to complete their degrees, albeit with some adjustments. UNC Asheville has pledged to tailor individualized plans to help those affected, but for Telfer, this wasn’t enough. “At that point, I’m not getting the degree in that major,” she lamented. “I’m getting a degree in whatever they created.”

The Bigger Picture

Interestingly enough, UNC Asheville isn’t the only school facing such grim prospectives this year. Just earlier in February, UNC Greensboro cut a staggering 20 programs, affecting over 200 students. The reality is hitting hard: less than 3% of students at UNC Asheville are impacted, yet those cuts represent 20% of the university’s departments.

Voices from the Students

Students across the board are sharing their stories, fueling Telfer’s resolve to make a change. Some of her peers, like Kayla Russell, who graduated from the drama department, have similar concerns. “It doesn’t feel like they’ll be getting the same education that I got,” Russell said about the rushed “teach out” plans, emphasizing the importance of a well-rounded education that includes every aspect of theater, from acting to lighting design.

Sophie Wilson, a recent graduate from UNC Greensboro, echoed similar sentiments regarding the loss of her anthropology major. She found strength in her peers when facing the cuts, noting, “I found myself closer than ever with my colleagues. It’s a very important program to a lot of us.”

Feeling the Weight of Transition

As for Telfer, she has decided to make a significant move. Instead of returning to UNC Asheville, she will head back to Florida, enroll in classes at Tallahassee State College this fall, and eventually transfer to Florida State University to pursue a degree in classical civilization. “For $25,000 a year, I can’t just get the minimum classes in my major,” she says.

This significant life transition is not easy for Telfer. She’s feeling a little behind, missing the flexibility she once enjoyed at UNC Asheville. She has, however, resolved to keep in touch with her friends from Asheville. “I text them incessantly,” she admits with a chuckle. “I’ve already told them that I will come visit. The drive is long, but it’s not that bad.”

Looking Forward

With all these changes, it’s clear that the landscape of education—especially in liberal arts—is undergoing a significant overhaul. Both students and faculty express their hopes that the core values of a liberal arts education will endure. UNC Asheville remains determined to keep the essence of its liberal arts mission alive despite the program cuts, though many wonder what this means for the future.

No matter what lies ahead, students like Telfer are determined to find their path, and that spirit of adaptability remains pivotal in these ever-evolving times.