Current:Home > StocksWest Virginia University gives final approval to academic program, faculty cuts-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
West Virginia University gives final approval to academic program, faculty cuts
View Date:2024-12-23 20:59:16
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia University gave final approval Friday to wide-ranging cuts in academic programs and faculty positions, the culmination of a impassioned back and forth between the campus community, students and officials as the university addresses a $45 million budget shortfall.
The university Board of Governors voted to drop 28 of its majors, or about 8%, and cut 147 of the faculty positions, or 5.7%, on its Morgantown campus. Among the cuts are one-third of education department faculty and the entire world language department, although seven language teaching positions are being retained and students are being allowed to take some language courses as electives.
The vote in Morgantown came as the university has been weighed down financially by a 10% drop in enrollment since 2015, revenue lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and an increasing debt load for new building projects.
The cuts are on top of those made in June, when the board approved $7 million in staff reductions, or around 132 positions, slashed 12 graduate and doctorate programs and approved a 3% tuition increase.
Dozens of speakers, including students and faculty, vehemently opposed the cuts during a public hearing Thursday before the board.
Earlier this month a faculty group approved separate, symbolic motions expressing no confidence in President E. Gordon Gee and calling for a freeze in the ongoing cuts, which the American Federation of Teachers called “draconian and catastrophic.”
veryGood! (721)
Related
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, 4G
- China expands access to loans for property developers, acting to end its prolonged debt crisis
- Inside Pregnant Giannina Gibelli and Blake Horstmann's Tropical Babymoon Getaway
- Billy Idol talks upcoming pre-Super Bowl show, recent Hoover Dam performance, working on a new album
- Mariah Carey's Amazon Holiday Merch Is All I Want for Christmas—and It's Selling Out Fast!
- Robert De Niro Gets Emotional Over Becoming a Dad Again to 9-Month-Old Baby Gia
- Vermont wants to fix income inequality by raising taxes on the rich
- The Mexican National Team's all-time leading goal scorer, Chicharito, returns to Chivas
- 'Squid Game' creator lost '8 or 9' teeth making Season 1, explains Season 2 twist
- Experimental gene therapy allows kids with inherited deafness to hear
Ranking
- 4 arrested in California car insurance scam: 'Clearly a human in a bear suit'
- Czech lawmakers reject international women’s rights treaty
- Alabama's Kalen DeBoer won't imitate LSU's Brian Kelly and adopt fake southern accent
- Bryan, Ohio pastor sues city after being charged over opening church to house the homeless
- Police cruiser strikes and kills a bicyclist pulling a trailer in Vermont
- Maine’s top court dismisses appeal of judge’s decision on Trump ballot status
- What we know about UEFA official Zvonimir Boban resigning and why
- U.S. Capitol rioter tells judge you could give me 100 years and I would still do it all over again
Recommendation
-
Satellite images and documents indicate China working on nuclear propulsion for new aircraft carrier
-
Former Los Angeles Dodgers star Steve Garvey swings for long shot US Senate win in California
-
What is Jim Harbaugh's NFL record? Everything you need to know about Chargers new coach
-
Coco Gauff falls to Aryna Sabalenka in Australian Open semifinal
-
Mandy Moore Captures the Holiday Vibe With These No Brainer Gifts & Stocking Stuffer Must-Haves
-
Hailey Bieber Launches Rhode Cleanser and It's Sunshine in a Bottle
-
Jim Harbaugh leaving Michigan to become head coach of Los Angeles Chargers
-
This plant and these animals could be added to the Endangered Species Act