NSU Recommends Program Cuts

Northwestern State University will recommend to the Board of the University of Louisiana System that 25 programs be eliminated.

In an email to faculty and students Dr. Lisa Abney, Provost and Vice-President of Academic and Student Affairs, said the decisions to eliminate the programs "were not made without careful consideration of the cost of the program, efficiency rating, connection to core curriculum, sch production and completion rates."

The following programs are being recommended for elimination: Master of Arts in Heritage Resources, Bachelor of Arts in Heritage Resources, Bachelor of Science in Physics, Bachelor of Science in Physics Education, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Education, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

The following concentrations are being recommended for elimination: Aviation Science Concentration in the Bachelor of General Studies and Associate of General Studies, Recreation Administration Concentration in the Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Management and Tourism, Fashion Merchandising and Housing and Interiors Concentration in the Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science and German in Concentration in Humanities and Social Thought and Foreign Language Concentrations in the Louisiana Scholars' College.

The following minors are being recommended for elimination: Geology, Physics, Chemistry, Journalism, Sociology, German, Historic Preservation, French, Philosophy, Political Science and Food and Nutrition.

Abney said in the email that the forecasted budget cut is projected to be approximately 10 to 15 million dollars within the next two years and may go higher.  She said there will be more program cuts if the budget cuts continue.

Students enrolled in the programs slated for elimination will have one year to transition to another major or complete their current degrees.