Valparaiso University is considering cutting nearly 30 undergraduate and graduate programs due to low student enrollment, according to a memo sent to faculty members Friday.
The academic programs being considered for possible discontinuance include a number of science and medical studies, some foreign language majors, theology, music and cybersecurity, among other subject areas.
"We have too many majors, minors and graduate programs for the number of students and faculty we have," Eric Johnson, the university's provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, said in the memo.
Johnson cited "first and foremost" the university's current low student population and enrollment trends among several factors considered for which programs to potentially cut.
Over the next five months, a thorough review process will take place with several possible outcomes, according to the university.
Some academic programs may continue with recommended changes, be merged together or be discontinued.
Programs with fewer than 25 students that are not cut will be given improvement plans to work on over the next two years and then be reevaluated, according to Johnson.
Additionally, even if a program is eliminated, courses in that subject area may continue to be taught, depending on general education requirements and student demand.
While not all program changes or cuts will lead to job cuts, a limited reduction in faculty positions is expected in some academic departments, according to Johnson.
Final decisions regarding discontinuing programs are expected to be made by the beginning of the fall semester in August. Any programs that are discontinued would be phased out through the 2026-27 academic year, allowing impacted students to complete their degrees.
According to Johnson, if all undergraduate programs under consideration were cut, it would impact around 3% of the current student population.
The university's declining student enrollment has already forced the discontinuation of several programs, including its secondary education major, theater program and multiple foreign language majors, as well as the closure of its law school in 2020.
While Valpo discontinued its secondary education major, it still maintains a secondary education licensure program.
Across the country, numerous colleges and universities have announced plans to cut academic programs or jobs citing, in part, stagnant enrollment numbers.
Despite the potential elimination of some academic programs, Valpo also announced it had received approval from the Higher Learning Commission to offer a new master's program in social work starting this fall.
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