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Syracuse University has announced plans to eliminate nine humanities-based majors as part of a cost-cutting initiative. The decision, revealed on Tuesday (March 25), follows a comprehensive academic portfolio review aimed at assessing the feasibility of programs with low enrollment. The affected majors include Classical Civilization, Digital Humanities, German, Russian, and Middle Eastern Studies, among others.
Current students enrolled in these programs will be able to complete their degrees, but the university will no longer accept new students into these majors. Students will still have the option to minor in these subjects, and the departments housing these degrees will continue to operate. According to Syracuse.com, the decision was largely driven by low enrollment numbers, with many programs having fewer than 20 students in recent years.
Provost Lois Agnew emphasized the importance of directing resources to their highest and best use, stating, "Remaining fiscally stable will require a continued commitment to directing our resources to their highest and best use." The university has faced several financial challenges, including a drop in international student enrollment and increased demand for financial aid. These factors, coupled with a broader demographic decline in college-age students, have strained the university's budget.
University spokesperson Sarah Scalese assured that no jobs are currently slated for elimination, though teaching assignments and workloads may be affected. Some faculty members, however, expressed concerns about the impact on the humanities. Modern Jewish Studies Professor Zak Braiterman criticized the cuts as a sign of the university's lack of commitment to the humanities.
The university's decision comes amid broader efforts to address financial pressures affecting colleges nationwide. The demographic cliff—a term referring to a declining birthrate beginning in 2008—has led to fewer traditional college students. Additionally, disruptions in visa processing have affected international student enrollment, further impacting the university's revenue.