Columbia College Chicago Eliminates 18 Majors Due to Budget Issues
Columbia College Chicago has announced that it will eliminate roughly 18 majors from its curriculum amid budget issues. The school aims to provide significant cost savings to help return to financial health. According to the school, several programs cost more to deliver than what students pay in tuition.
Phased Out and Consolidated Programs
The school will phase out and consolidate several "underperforming" majors, offering approximately 40 by early next year. Final decisions will be made based on recommendations from a third-party consultant and faculty. Programs will be evaluated based on demand, financial performance, and cost savings.
Affected Majors
Majors on the chopping block include:
- Bachelor of Arts in art history
- American Sign Language-English interpretation
- Creative writing
- Master of Fine Arts in photography and fine arts
Student Impact
Students enrolled in majors considered for elimination will be allowed to finish their degrees, but the programs will no longer be available next fall. More than 300 students are enrolled in those majors.
Faculty Impact
The impact on faculty was not immediately known, the school said.
Recent Developments
The announcement comes only months after the school laid off 70 staff members as its budget deficit expanded to $38 million from about $20 million last year. In February, Columbia College Chicago President Kwang-Wu Kim announced he was stepping down from the position he held for more than a decade. Kim was the target of criticism during a six-week strike by adjunct faculty that upended the school’s fall semester and left many students questioning whether they would return in the spring.
School’s Goal
"Our goal is to better serve our current and future students, while also investing in future programs that sustain our programmatic currency," a school spokesperson said in a statement. "We believe these steps will position Columbia College Chicago as a stronger institution and continue to empower our students to excel in their creative careers."
Conclusion
Columbia College Chicago’s decision to eliminate 18 majors is a significant step towards addressing its budget deficit. While it may be challenging for students and faculty, the school’s goal is to better serve its students and invest in future programs that will sustain its programmatic currency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is Columbia College Chicago eliminating 18 majors?
A: The school is eliminating majors to provide significant cost savings to help return to financial health.
Q: Which majors are being eliminated?
A: The affected majors include Bachelor of Arts in art history, American Sign Language-English interpretation, creative writing, and Master of Fine Arts in photography and fine arts.
Q: What happens to students enrolled in affected majors?
A: Students enrolled in majors considered for elimination will be allowed to finish their degrees, but the programs will no longer be available next fall.
Q: How many students are enrolled in affected majors?
A: More than 300 students are enrolled in those majors.
Q: What about faculty impact?
A: The impact on faculty was not immediately known, the school said.
