IU professors speak out against major cuts to degree programs statewide

South Bend, Ind. -- Campuses across the Hoosier State are bracing for major changes following a new State Law that requires programs to graduate at least 15 for Bachelor’s, 7 for Masters, 3 for Doctorate and Specialist programs, and 10 Associate’s Students over 3 years.

Governor Mike Braun, says the changes will align programs with student demand, and workforce need, however faculty members have described them as an unexpected gut punch.

Of the more than 400 degree programs affected by a statewide overhaul, 249 are within the IU system, with IU Bloomington expected to see the most cuts.

Locally, South Bend is bracing for the complete elimination of 5 programs, 220 consolidations, and 2 with plans to teach out until elimination.

Faculty members and students say the changes have already created widespread confusion, and a growing sense of unease about the future of public higher education.

“When people look at what’s available for their children in terms of an education in the state, that will make it harder to bring both employees and businesses to the state so it’s hurting us all said Deborah Cohn, Provost Professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at IU Bloomington.

Cohn, also an IU parent, has been vocal in opposing the cuts. She warns the impact will be felt beyond the long list of degree programs on the chopping block.

Cohn is encouraging Hoosiers to speak up urging the public to contact IU’s administration, board of trustees, and even the governor.

“Say, This is what this university has given me,’” she said. “We need to make our voices heard.”

An associate professor IUSB of Multiethnic US Literature, Benjamin Balthaser, who also serves as the Secretary Treasurer of the AAUP chapter on campus, said the changes while still unclear will likely disproportionately impact low-income and rural students, who often rely on local public universities for affordable education.

“Basically, this is not only going to threaten individual faculty and their livelihoods,” he said. “It’s going to threaten many thousands of middle-class and working-class Hoosiers who depend on a public system to get an education. It’s actually going to threaten the future of having a public university at all.”

Balthaser expressed concern for his students, the future of the University, and higher education.

A full list can be found here.

ABC57 reached out to IUSB for comment, and was referred to a spokesperson at IU Bloomington, who then referred to this article in IU Today for more information.